Bereavement over: our patrimony lives...

Orbis Unus Orans: as our kinsmen prayed...

Italians and others on liturgy: some great reads...

We have to get more stuff in English on liturgy and we need it now. We need to be a deeply liturgical people as our kinsfolk were in the old days (we, too, can depend on the uncounted liturgical life that helped to keep our families Catholic through the Reformation).

Sept. 17th in Rome: Feast of Robert Bellarmino...

At San Ignazio in Rome one can see his corpse as seen here at a side altar. Learn Latin if for no other reason than to read him!

Summorum Pontificum: the surprise gift for all...

What ever happened to Patrick J. Buchanan?

Saw him the last couple of years in Washington, D.C. after Sunday Mass at Old St. Mary's. He attends Holy Mass according to the usus antiquior missal.

He's still a political commentator and see his latest here:
http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=28517

Immemorial: Catholic culture...

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

Here's where radar was invented in 1937 at the old Torre Chiaruccia: http://www.qsl.net/ik0xcc/marconi/gm_chiaruccia2.htm

The old sixteenth century tower, built to spot Islamic pirates, was blown up by the Nazis in February of 1944 (as in Ladispoli, too). All that's left is the foundation and even now the more modern tower you see here in the middle has been abandoned.

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

A lot of this has already been lost to history, but I'm told this is the old Petacci summer villa.

Clara, the daughter, had been the mistress of Mussolini (and was later killed with him and so was her brother around that same time). Her father Francesco had been the personal physician to Pius XI.

It's not widely believed, but for years Italian press has reported that her father likely killed Pius XI in 1939 (Eugenio Card. Tisserant belived this as he wrote in his diary). This is why Pius XII wouldn't let a doctor touch him.

"...Twenty-four hours before delivering this address, the Pope [Pius XI] was given an injection by Dr. Francesco Petacci, who worked as the medical practitioner for the Vatican, and whose daughter Clara Petacci was the long-term mistress of the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. As a result of the injection, the Pope supposedly died hours before delivering his historic attack on Mussolini and European fascism."

-Quote from: http://www.answers.com/topic/pope-pius-xi

Also, the personal physician of John XXIII, Pietro Valdoni, had a summer villa nearby.

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

In August Romans go to either the mountains in the north or the sea. But each Roman has their favorite beach. For most it's the Lido di Ostia which is near, cheap and convenient. For others it's Fregene or Anzio or Nettuno. But for the rest of us turismo nautico nella Provincia di Roma will always be La Marinella (named after St. Marina)!

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

They used to call it "La Perla del Tirreno" (the pearl of the Tyrrhenian) and some of us still call it that!

Summorum Pontificum: one year later...

Summorum Pontificum: one year later...

Join us for the Rome celebration!

Sunday, September 14, the FSSP in Urbe will be hosting a nice one year anniversary celebration of Summorum Pontificum. Hope to see everybody there.

Traditional Sung Mass at ten o'clock and after a traditional pranzo at a traditional Roman Trattoria and does it get any better than that? Originale per tradizione!

Auguri!

http://roma.fssp.it/

Ah, the constant darts at the good guy (lady)...

Politics as usual. It happens every election year and with our liberal media it's always the same bonk...

1996: Bob Dole was all negative and Mr. Willy Contortion was all positive.
2000: GW was all negative and Mr. Green Autocrat was all positive.
2004: GW was all negative and Mr. Swift Boat Wriggle was all positive.
2008: McCain is all negative and B. (Hussein) Obama is all positive.

Now the giant beast we know as the liberal American media - a collective mogul with untold power - is writhing like a crazed eel jerking to and fro to shred Gov. Palin into a thousand pieces.

But as Uncle Jerry just said: "Hands off our mom, liberal dogs and stop the bogus with each AP news torpedo!"

Abortion battle: welcome support from our bishops...

They're more and more in the Klieg light and doing a great job.

Perhaps so many Catholic bishops have given us so little as many have belived the old yarn that many or most Catholics just go to church three times in their life for their baptism, wedding and funeral.

But bishops evidently are getting more vocal and this election year they are getting more bold and this is a great development and a joy to witness. Our chanceries and bishops offices are getting more articulate, quicker, on the mark, relevant and in the spotlight. Kudos to them!

It's great to meditate on the episcopal dignity while reading Ezekiel 34. It's a fabulous read. Here's a taste from Ezekiel 34:2, "Ho, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?"

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

This is the old Castello Odescalchi located at the port of Santa Marinella: http://www.castellosantamarinella.it/. Its original tower and complex was constructed so as to sight and warn the costal inhabitants when Islamic pirates approached the coastline.

Today they just have wedding receptions here (with fireworks if you can afford it!). But it's also famous as it was here that in May of 1938 the famous meeting between the Axis powers took place (and we all know how that relationship ended). The King, Mussolini and Hitler met here and sealed further their alliance which would then two years later be tripartite in Munich. Before their triumphal entrance into Rome they enjoyed here a big lunch around a giant round table on the shady lawn overlooking the sea.

For the Axis powers justice was measured by expediency. If something was convenient, then it was okay. Dare anybody say it, but it's the same thing today with the abortion industry.

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

On the left is the old Hotel Le Najadi. A lovely spot, but back in the day it was the big it. In its glory day they had fountains on their private beach, one of the most popular restaurants in Italy and parking, which is rare here!

At that time in the fifties many big films were being made in Rome. Those involved in the film industry came out to the Villa Rossellini in Santa Marinella. Esther Williams of Tarzan fame was here, Gregory Peck, Marlon Brando and others. I'm told this is where they stayed. If you ever get married in Rome this would be a great place to have the wedding reception.

New German Pope to the Eldest Daughter...

Warriors for the cause, arise! Welcome to Paris and to the latest apostolic voyage!

After the long summer in Rome there's always the first really good rainfall the first or second week of September. And here it is now - pouring rain and the Pope's at the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris! Hunchbacks rule...and Gregorian chant!

Great to hear the Tu Es Petrus and to see His Holiness reverence the holy relics from the treasury there. Live coverage from Telelazio Rete Blu from CTV and Telepace from CTV, although the blab commentary on Telepace is enough to make average layfolk just turn the channel or turn it off.

Pour l'Eglise!

Let us pray!

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

Four years ago my sister stayed in this grand hotel: http://www.hotellepalme.net/en/hotel.html. Has there ever been anything more lovely carved into the facade of a hotel than this: salve mare triumphans sub lumine solis!?

Back during the golden age of Italian cinema (c. 1950s) this was one of the most famous hotels in all of Italy. In 1952 King Faurk of Egypt moved here and rented all the rooms for himself and others for some months.

See his story here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farouk_of_Egypt

Rome resort town of Santa Marinella...

The best place to live. Truly amazing.

September 11th, 2001 & September 11th, 1683...

Seven years later and do anyone of us know two bits more about Islam?

If you want to see nice battle of Lepanto scenes see this fresco in the gallery of maps in the Vatican Museums (dates from circa 1580-1583) or see the Vatican's Sala Reale or even the Palazzo Colonna in Rome's historic center.

And of the battle of Vienna...

"Vienna, as we saw, was almost taken and only saved by the Christian army under the command of the King of Poland on a date that ought to be among the most famous in history - September 11, 1683. But the peril remained, Islam was still immensely powerful within a few marches of Austria."

-The Great Heresies by Hilaire Belloc, 1938.

Catholic Spain: the hope grows...

Know that Una Voce does great work:

http://www.unavocesevilla.info/

Lovely countryside just outside of Rome...

From Carano in the shadow of the Alban Hills (Colli Albani).

Grapes can be seen with an already cut hay field.

Richness of Italian soil...

Doesn't look like much, but it's a great honor to stand atop the general soil where the blessed Apostles trod two millenia ago.

This time of the year the soil in and around Rome is all dry, parched and cracked. The photo was taken in Carano between Anzio on the sea and the Pope's summer villa on Lake Albano.

Gorgeous: the wondrous Castelli Romani...

Well, this is what the grapes look like in Lazio the first week of September! When you live in Rome you really get attached to the "house wine" (= the cheap wine) of the local eateries which more often than not comes from the lovely Castelli Romani southeast of the city. On Saturday we were there for a baptism and walking the fields was a delight!

Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei...

Pray for the great mission of this Pontifical Commission. Behind these windows many dedicated persons labor to make it all come together. May God reward and guide them.

Fans of Rafael Card. Merry del Val...

If you're a big fan of Rafael Card. Merry del Val then on Facebook join the "group" entitled Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (I've put the over twenty-five photos I had on him there in an album).

Msgr. George J. Ziskovsky, S.T.D., L.S.S.c.

Rev. and dear Monsignor:

Dad and grandpa always spoke of you with reverence. Mom knew you, too. As I kid I saw you pictured in the sanctuary in their wedding photos wearing your mantelletta. And in their wedding video grandma was happy to chat with you.

My pastor knew you, too. You had studied in Rome at the Gregorian and lived in the French casa del clero on the Via Giovanna d'Arco. You were from a small town in Minnesota in the Diocese of Saint Paul. You always inspired me and you're a soul I never even met.

As I continue to study the sacred science I ask for your holy intercession, as well as for the same from all men in whose footsteps I now follow. Decisive decisions will be made within the the next few days. Dogma and where? Please pray for me in your charity!

I've already been a full-time college student for nine years; how can I pay more?

Asking for your prayers and priestly blessing I assure you I will remember you at my Mass and ask the Father of Mercies to have pity upon your soul and to grant you life everlasting.

I also pray for the intercession of Thomas Garrity whom you knew, too. May you both shine forever.

In Christo Mariaque,

J.P. Sonnen

N.B. Kind Christians may support my tuition with help sent here:

JPSonnen
406 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN 55102

Grazie a tutti voi (thanks to everybody)!

Why no more to the papal slippers...?

Paul VI and the spirit of the sixties from his personal secretary...

"This reform attained persons and ceremonies. The ancient choreography of the military corps: the Noble and the Palatine Guards disappeared. The Papal Court was drastically remodelled.

The canopy, feather fans and silver trumpets were no more.

When some Oriental bishops remarked that a golden cross decorating the papal slippers was a lack of respect for the Cross, he gave orders for it to be removed immediately.

He wanted to abolish the special chair [sedia gestatoria] which carried him on four men's shoulders, but no solution was found to allow the pilgrims to see the Pope easily.

The liturgical vestments lost their lace and everything else judged redundant, towards a religious sobriety and dignity.

To encourage such renewal he was the first to give example: he replaced the golden chain of the pectoral cross with a silk cord, and never wore a golden watch or gold-rimmed glasses, and never used a golden fountain pen."

-Paul VI The Man and His Message, by Archbishop Pasquale Macchi, 2007, pp. 65-66

Requiem for a Cardinal...

Morbid as it sounds it's a thrill to hear the death toll from the bells of the Vatican Basilica. After the rites, as the faithful exited the church, the toll began. Haunting it is as it still reminds one of the one time we heard it and remembered it, an echo from when the Pope passed on in 2005.

One special treat of living in Rome is to be able to attend the burial rites for cardinals of the holy Roman Church. Today I carried all of your prayer intentions in my heart during the Requiem Mass. Ever reader of this blog and of the Catholic blog world was prayed for.

Covered benches at the altar of the chair? Yes, they were covered in splendor. But I stand corrected: an internet sleuth discovered online photographs of the same benches covered in the same material from last year. So perhaps Angelo Comastri brought them back? First time I ever noticed/saw them. Sorry, guys!

It was great to hear of the life of His Eminence. He was truly a great man. Mourn his passing with prayers for his soul, that many more might be like him. Father, grant us leadership. Let us pray!

Italian cinema and clergy hat: strong visuals count...

This is one of the most touching scenes in motion picture history. It comes from the film Roma Citta' Aperta (see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rome,_Open_City).

In this scene the pastor embraces the dead lady in the street just after the Nazis shot her in front of her little son, an altar server. The boy runs to his dead mother - in cassock and surplice - and grieves over her fallen body.

Election year: the joy of it all...

Ah, it was all supposed to be Obama's distinction and now he's not taking kindly to Gov. Palin claiming it all, too.

The plot thickens so get some more popcorn and enjoy the ride, voters!

...and see who's got the experience to lead:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCain

Revolution Guido: il divertimento a Roma...

For the Mons. Guido Marini crowd there's more great news. They're bringing all the old treasures out of storage!

Today while in the Vatican Basilica I saw something I didn't think I'd ever see and something that hasen't been seen here likely in about forty (or more) years in St. Peter's Basilica!

They brought back the old giant carpet covers for the choir benches at the altar of the chair. It's difficult to explain what exactly these are, and it will be impossible to get close to get a photo. But today they were putting them out.

They're likely from the era of Pius IX, but difficult to date. They're full of colors and designs, they cover the benches and resemble nineteenth century carpets made for sanctuaries you sometimes still see in and around Rome.

They add a lot of color and look great.

Summorum Pontificum: the Rome update...

And another baptism according to the sixty-two Ritual!

In one direction all continues upbound. Actually, it's a great joy to be inside the "traditionalist" Rome network. Lot's of great young families and great reasons for hope. Of these families there seems to be a concentration southeast of Rome in and around the Castelli.

The baptism was held, in of all places, this chapel (in the background one can see the villa where Menotti Garibaldi lived!). The chapel was modern, built in the fifties or sixties, but nice.

Afterwards the outdoor reception was hosted at a nearby farm, under the olive and palm trees. It was a wonderful cultural experience. The breeze, the food and fire, and the farmers! They have worked that land in the shadow of the Castelli hills for generations. They showed us their cats, cow and rabbits. They farm hay, grapes and kiwi and nearby was corn. They used to have many cows there. Farmers work so hard for so little. Wonderful to be their guest and to walk their fields near Rome. Many reasons for hope. Let us pray!

Menotti Garibaldi villa and tomb near Rome...

Here one can see a fine example of a nice "farm house" as seen in Lazio near Rome. This farm villa belonged to Menotti, the son of the famous Giuseppe Garibaldi. It's located near Aprilia, just south of the Colli Albani, and on most maps it's listed as Tomba di Menotti Garibaldi.

Menotti, born in 1840, was one of four children. He was a farmer. He lived here and worked the land in the shadow of the Castelli Romani hills. On the property is his tomb, as seen here, located in a bamboo forest surrounded by cropland with mostly hay and grape fields nearby.

Also on the property is a chapel, built in the fifties or sixties, seen from the road. If you have a rental car I guess it's kind of fun to see the tomb. It's still on private property, but just follow across the field, across the bridge over the little creek, into the bamboo forest.

The tomb was Catholic and over his marble grave is a large bronze cross with these words: Ego Sum Resurrectio Et Vita. Noteworthy he died as a believer, and not interred in the family tomb at the Campo Verano in Rome.

Photo taken in Italy...

Koreans in Rome: strong Catholic culture...

As many know, South Korea is the last place in the world where all the Latin rite Catholic women veil their heads while in His presence. May the Father be praised for saving bits of Catholic culture in our age.

As glibly used a word as "liturgist"...

Many of us freak out when we hear the word "liturgist."

This is because in New Church today everybody is a "liturgist." In any parish anywhere in the world - pretty much since the womens' lib. movement - man, woman or child (or crazy lesbo), anybody can do it; and get paid for it.

Yesterday somebody shared that St. Paul called Our Lord a liturgist in Hebrews 8:2. Doesn't make sense. However, we did agree that St. Paul does refer to himself as the leitourgos of Christ unto the Gentiles in Romans 15:16 and also that a rejuvenation of the traditional concept of a liturgist as being one who has a licentiate or doctorate in Sacred Liturgy is what we need to return to.

The good news is that the Pontifical Univeristy of the Holy Cross in Rome now offers the licentiate and doctorate in liturgical theology: http://www.pusc.it/eng/. This is a big deal and great news.

It behooves priests to not let liturgists step all over them. Pastors ought to give them no power, to take them off the pay-roll and when it's convenient, to let them go.

The liturgy is perfect praise, perfect expiation, perfect petition. A greater part of the ambit of priestly training is to qualify the men to do their job without somebody else telling them where to stand or what to sing or what to wear.

How vividly we can all see the average parish liturgist. But those says are ending.

Requiem: Antonio Card. Innocenti...

I will carry all of your intentions in my heart at the Requiem Mass of Antonio Card. Innocenti.

As most everybody knows, he passed away on Saturday at the age of 93. Having been born in 1915, ordained priest in 1938, he was cardinal president emeritus of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei."

Just imagine having been a priest that long, 70 years!

May he rest in peace. Amen.

Christian families: be ever clever...

We hear of how the Church of Christ is manacled and catacombed ever more in this modern age. And it's going to get worse if the "culture of death" continues to gain an upper hand. Election year is always pivotal.

Then we hear of the lack of vocations, divorce rate, suicide rate, etc. Where does this come from? We once had high standards of decency in literature, the stage and screen. But they say those days are gone. E allora?

We can stop the influence of evil despots on our families by not having a television. While in Germany in 2005 I was a guest of a lovely, happy German family. They had one TV. It was locked in a cupboard. The kids were only allowed to watch DVDs on it.

I haven't watched TV as a regular since 1997, my senior year in high school. Eleven years without being a TV junkie has brought me the greatest joy and so much less stress than could ever be measured. Thank you, Blessed Jesus, for this grace.

Hollywood has changed. And it has changed in one direction and levels of lewdness never imagined are now the norm. Images affect people. Anita Page was born in 1910. She died yesterday at the age of 98 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080907/ap_en_ce/obit_page). Her career with films began in 1924 (before the Pope was even born!). Just imagine how things changed from 1924-2008 and has it gotten better or worse?

The end of modern dross vestments...

The Church is divine. But the agencies which the Church uses are material: objects, words, signs; and in a sense, man himself.

The famous Fr. Z. has a nice post on vestments from this new firm on the other side of the world. Support them and so support quality craftsmanship and the lay efforts to make it happen. Just gift your pastor with a new complete set of matching vestments and order them here: www.charbelvestments.com .

In praenobili urbe Sancti Pauli de Minnesota...

Be informed and see here the vivifying videos of the Republican National Convention held in St. Paul:

http://www.gopconvention2008.com/videos/

Wonderful Catholic Italy...

So nice to see this on the facade of a 1930s chapel in Italy. Small things like this count. Let's repeat them in our pockets of the world. Laymen, finance them!

Deeply liturgical life in Italy...

It's been said a thousand times and always worth repeating: "The richest liturgical life on the planet is lived on the Italian peninsula (and on her islands)!"

i.e. recent events in Lazio near Rome...

If you're ever in Rome on a Sept. 3-4 a must see is the giant processoin in Viterbo with the Macchina di Santa Rosa (http://www.comune.viterbo.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/295). It starts every Sept. 3rd at 9 p.m. This annual procession is a must - men carry a giant tower in the dark with a deep spirit of prayer. This year the Prime Minister of Italy showed up, Silvio Berlusconi. It was fabulous. I have great pics I'll post when I have time.

Once every ten years they have the mother of all celebrations in the town of Grotte di Castro on Lake Bolsena (http://www.comunegrottedicastro.it/index.php?T1=1&T2=18) in honor of the Madonna del Suffragio. All night adoration, processions and fireworks and lots more to boot. The big day is Sept. 7 and 8 and it'll be on TV with live coverage.

In Rome each Sunday morning at midnight from after Easter until October hundreds and hundreds walk in pilgrimage from Rome (Circo Massimo metro stop) to the countryside shrine of the Divino Amore (http://www.santuariodivinoamore.it/pellegrinaggio.html). This procession, too, is a must. I did it earlier this year and it was likely one of the best things I've ever experienced while in Rome. It will give you hope, which resides in the will. I'll post photos when I have time. Pack a snack and bottled water.

Fides vincit.

Big Rome conference on Summorum Pontificum...

The Italians are doing a lot and this is a fine example.

"Giovani e Tradizione" con il Patrocinio della Pontificia Commissione "Ecclesia Dei" ("Youth and Tradition" with the patronage of the Pont. Commission "Ecclesia Dei") are hosting this conferece entitled Il Motu Proprio "Summorum Pontificium" di S.S. Benedetto XVI which will be held September 16-18 in Rome.

See their site here: http://www.giovanietradizione.org/.

Hope to see everybody there (and pray/fast for its success)!

Dutch on liberals...

Gorgeous surplice, but where's the stole...

If an ordained cleric is not wearing the stole for confessions or blessings or distributing Holy Communion, then what is one to assume? Here's atmospheric electricity from Ezekiel 22:26...

"Her priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things; they have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them."

People in the Rome newtwork often prefer to go to confession at the Gesu' with Jesuits or St. Mary Major with Dominicans. More often then not, you never see stoles here or there anymore.

Last month in Padua while at "il Santo" I entered the "Chapel of the Benedictions" and watched as the Polish cleric blessed person after person with no stole. As the embarassed layman I simply asked for a reason. Then I got a lecture on why the stole isn't "necessary" for God's grace.

Folks, let's just obey rules; and custom and the voice of Mother Church.

The ultimate beach chair...

Living in a Catholic country one often sees nice treats such as this: a beach named "Mater Dei."

Even if we live in Protestant or now secular lands, let's try to bring some of this "Catholic team spirit" to our own corners of the globe - in the public sphere.

The McCain family...

The mix is a delight: seven kids (kind-of-sort-of) and a senile granny who is just the best!

Roberta McCain has it all. Born in 1912 she was the cat's meow at the RNC in St. Paul, Minnesota. Now 96, they said she was married in 1933 at Caesar's Bar in Tijuana, Mexico?

But the best is the daughter's McCain Blogette site seen here:
http://www.mccainblogette.com/ .

Happy blogging, blogette! And stay pro-life, Republicans!

Pacelli family summer villa near Rome...

Here's the newly restored Pacelli family summer villa near Rome. This summer they restored the exterior, and kept the same red color.

It had been called the Villino Nani, but it's been called these recent years Villa Candeloro. The address is Via Aurelia 386, Santa Marinella.

We want to get a marble plaque on the facade that would read:

PIO XII
EUGENIO PACELLI,
ROMANO

OSPITE DI QUESTA VILLA
FU MONSIGNOR PACELLI,
FUTURO PAPA PIO XII

DOCUMENTO AL MONDO
COME CRISTO DIO
A SANTA UMILTA'
ALTEZZA SOMMA
DI POTENZA E DI GRANDEZZA

IL MUNICIPIO
SINDACO ROBERTO BACHECA
9 OTTOBRE 2008

Just offer a prayer this happens!

Pacelli family summer villa near Rome...

This is the old Pacelli family summer villa located in the resort town of Santa Marinella, near Rome. It's a beach town northwest of Rome about 65 km and the villa, although not on the sea, is just a moments walk from a private beach, "Pirgus."

The villa was owned by the Pacelli family until just a few years ago. This summer the new owners completly restored the entire exterior. I went to the villa and met a current owner. He said it belonged to Pope Pius XII' sister and that now more than one family owns it. Amazing to think that the future Pope vacationed here and swam in these same waters.

FYI: Why nuns stopped wearing the habit...

We've all heard lay people ask a thousand times: "Why did the nuns stop wearing their habits?"

Then there's always somebody in the group who answers: "It was Vatican II." But the truth is it was actually a "stretching" of Vatican II.

Be informed - this is the line the orders used to dump their religious garb:

"17. Since they are signs of a consecrated life, religious habits should be simple and modest, at once poor and becoming. They should meet the requirements of health and be suited to the circumstances of time and place as well as to the services required by those who wear them. Habits of men and women which do not correspond to those norms are to be changed."

-Vatican Council II, Decree on the Appropriate Renewal of the Religious Life (Perfectae Caritatis), 1965.

Insane, right? It was the sixties and they "stretched" this into meaning no habit or not much of one.

That which brings joy to an expat...

Something as simple as the smell of fresh cut grass is one of the most cherished things any of us living abroad look forward to experiencing on a rare occasion. There's not much mowed grass in Rome: there's the cortile or giardino of the Angelicum or the cortile of the Vatican Museums.

Offer a prayer my neighbor will hire me to mow her lawn once each week. I'm going to offer my services as I miss mowing, and the smell! She's a widow and a nice Englishwoman with a big giardino (yard). Hope to get a good opportunity to ask her, Deo volente.

Payback: our moms rule...

Vote pro-life: we support Sarah Palin...

From the farflung corner of our Republic: "Be ye therefore wise as serpents and simple as doves."

Her kids have goofy names, but she's one of us and we are proud to support Sarah Palin with our vote.

There's a cockle in every election. And then there's the wheat. We prefer the wheat, John McCain and Co. So refreshing to see the all-American mom, Sarah, versus the all-American witches' besom, Mrs. Clinton.

Yesterday night in St. Paul, Minnesota she had her big performance. It was a success. She befits the stirring and unconditional support of all Christians. In Italy we prayed for the intercession of Archbishop John Carroll, contemporary and friend of George Washington, the Father of the Republic, for the success of her speech before the Nation.

"Take no thought how or what to speak, for it shall be given you in that hour what to speak" (Matthew 10:16-19).

We are cognizant of and look forward to her sweet influence.

The supremacy of the liberal media will never win.

http://www.gopconvention2008.com/videos/

Pius XII: celebration of a life and pontificate...

The SODALITIVM INTERNATIONALE PASTOR ANGELICVS (SIPA) has the news we've all been waiting for and hope everybody can be here for this great event...

The papal kalendarium published by the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household announces that His Holiness the Pope will celebrate a Solemn Mass in the Vatican Basilica this coming October 9, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. in honor of Pope Pius XII, of blessed memory, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his passing.

See here: http://www.vatican.va/various/prefettura/it/udienze_it.html.

Missa Papalis pro Pio XII P.M.

3.IX.2008. Iuxta kalendarium a Praefectura Pontificalis Domus pubblicatum, die 9 Octobris adveniente, in Patriarcale Basilica Principis Apostolorum, hora media ante sextam, Sanctissimus in Christo Pater Benedictus XVI P.M., solemnem missam in memoriam eius decessoris Pii PP XII celebrabit pro quinquagesimo illius anniversario (1958-2008).

Feast of Pius X: auguri a tutti voi...

Bust as seen across the street from his birthplace in Riese Pio X, near Padova.

Republican National Convention: ST. PAUL, Minn.

The entire world is following, for the first time ever, every waking moment of election news coming from the New World.

Living outside the country for five years it's always interesting to look in and see and hear how Americans are presented with the news. From the outside looking in it's evident that it has reached new levels of default.

Families: you'll be better informed voters if you just turn the television off. You already know the issues; just stay focused on them. You vote pro-life. Stateside media outlets have really shown their true colors these past few days: the DNC is all positive, the RNC is all negative.

Journalism is out the door and hyperbole is the news of the day. Overshooting and gossip, that's the news. Hype and shock, that's the news. The lead stories are often inapplicable. And while for example, every dog is attacking Sarah Palin, they sure were polite to John Edwards, eh?

There is one who feigns to be other and better than he is as a false pretender to virtue, such as Bill Clinton, who has "redeemed" himself as a new "star" at the DNC. And then there's the all-American lady such as our mom, Sarah Palin, who is now being painted as the devil for having an average (normal) family.

In St. Paul, Minnesota, they held the Ninth National Eucharistic Congress in 1941. There was an exceptional address delivered there entitled, "Christ Glorified in the Sacrifice of the Journalist" and here's just a brief quote:

"Throughout our American history, we have built our government on the principle of secular authority subject to the moral law; a principle which proclaimed each citizen to belong to two spheres, one terrestrial, whose end is the common temporal welfare, and the other spiritual, whose end is eternal life in another world. The foundation of our civilization is the freedom of man within a closed moral order, and the autonomy of the secular power subject to the prior and inalienable rights of the individual and the family."

Catholic pilgrims and students in Rome complain how anti-Catholic their news outlets are in places such as Poland and Ireland. Ture, and it's the same in Canada and the United States. Christianity is under siege and this is because we don't bend on the life issues.

Vote as a block. Vote pro-life. The whole world is watching and this one is crucial.

http://www.gopconvention2008.com/

IL Tumultuoso Postconcilio: I Papi del XX Secolo...

Catholics:

It's in bad taste to speak poorly of the popes. Don't bash them. And don't let your kids hear you rail on them. Be an adult about it. Mature, prudent, positive and build up His Body. Put it in the Lord's hands; forgive and let go.

Let us pray!

JPSonnen


"...is an uninterrupted task for the whole Church who, 'clasping sinners to her bosom, [is] at once holy and always in need of purification, [and] follows constantly the path of penance and renewal.'"

-Catechismus Catholicae Ecclesiae, 1428.

There are good orders: support them today...

A girl I went to high school with, Sr. Diana Marie, is now a nun in Tuscany with a French order.

Mother Marie, Sr. Diana Marie's superior, is asking for help. The community moved into an historic old fire-damaged palace near Florence that had been abandoned for some years and requires extensive repairs, among them a new roof and a kitchen as noted below.

If you are able to help, checks may be sent directly to the address noted below, in U.S. dollars or Euro. (I think contributions are tax deductible. If you need a receipt, just include a note to that effect with your donation. See thier site here: http://www.institute-christ-king.org/AdorersRoyalHeart.htm).
__________________

Please make checks payable to "Adoratrices du Coeur Royal" and mail to:

Mother Marie of the Love of God
Adoratrices du Cœur Royal de Jésus-Christ Souverain Prêtre
Maison du Cœur Royal
Via di Gricigliano, 45
50065 SIECI (FI)
ITALY

-----Original Message-----
From: Adoratrices du cœur Royal de Jésus-Christ Souverain Prêtre[mailto:adoratrices@icrsp.org]
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 10:27 AM
Subject: very dear parents

Very dear parents,

Before all, we wish to assure you of all our fervent prayers for our dear daughters, and for all their intentions and needs which are not lacking, during this month of June, month of the Sacred Heart whom we implore… ALL with confidence!

I come today humbly to solicit your aid to collect the funds necessary to purchase a custom kitchen which is becoming absolutely necessary. The quotes rise above 20,000 Euros. It is an immense cost, with the purchase of professional material (oven, stove and overhead, sink, dishwasher) with which all the convents are equipped for large communities. It is certainly definitely due.

Could you help us by making known to those around you this need and solicit their generosity? As you know, we presently have a small sink that we found in the pile of debris, held up by cement blocks, a table made of plywood laid on braces, and a stove which is sized for a young couple with no children. Our cooks are courageous, but the announce of future postulants is pressing on us, the conditions of life becoming too difficult.
I depend with all my heart on your aid and thank you in advance for all that you will do to help us, as always.

With all my profound affection,
In Corde Regis,


Mother Marie of the Love of God
Adoratrices du Cœur Royal de Jésus-Christ Souverain Prêtre
Maison du Cœur Royal
Via di Gricigliano, 45
50065 SIECI (FI)
ITALY

Most conspicuous habit in the world: the appeal...

Did anyone stop to think (or ask) what the theological significance was of this now gone cornette?

There was the French Revolution and then there was the Cultural Revolution. Needless to say, it's been one culmiferous tumult (a truly violent agitation) for Catholics of the European continent.

Homologous moderns never got it. And they never will. And many others won't either. Cultural revolutions change lands. Today the focus is sexual release. But it used to be in large part about generosity and "oblation." At least the last chapter has yet to be written and oblation with its appeal is back.

Before our generation this order was the LARGEST womens religious order in the Church. And why? And this was their habit. Any questions?

N.B. Many thanks to the soul who sent this photo via electronic mail.

Pius XII: 50th anniversary: SIPA...

Great events have been planned to take place in Rome these next couple of months in honor of Pope Pius XII in that fifty years ago this October 9 he passed on to his reward.

The SODALITIVM INTERNATIONALE PASTOR ANGELICVS (SIPA) is always doing great work to promote his beatification. See their site here: http://www.sipastorangelicvs.blogspot.com/ .

(SIPA) est coetus an. Dñi. MXMVIII conditum ad personae operisque Pii PP XII cognitionem promovendam et augendam.

Maria Goretti: a saint for abused and abuser...

In the photo is the santuario in Netuno where one can visit to pray before the incorrupt body of St. Maria Goretti. They used to have her corpse in a nice side chapel, but today she's in the (ugly) crypt chapel (let's each offer a prayer they return her to the nice side chapel and redress the body in a period dress manca the polyester).

There's a nice museum/gift shop run by the nuns in rooms off to the side of the church. If you're a priest, for a donation of thirty euro the nun in the shop will give you a nice ex corpore relic of her flesh for your parish. Then you can take a swim in the sea if you like.

To get to Netuno is easy. From Roma Termini just take any train to Netuno (about an hour ride). Walk a few minutes to the sanctuary and then have a local call you a taxi to take you to the home of Maria Goretti where she lived and was attacked (enter from the rear door, open during riposo, too). Then, if you have the interest visit the WWII American and British cemeteries there as well (open during riposo, too). It's a great day trip.

P.S. If some homeschooling-type mom wants to make a period dress for the corpse of St. Maria Goretti and mail it to me I'd be happy to bring it to the nuns as a donation and encourage them to redress the body.

If you're in NYC...

Solemn Mass will be sung in the Extraordinary Form
for the intention of the

BEATIFICATION OF POPE PIUS XII

Saturday, September 6th at 1 o'clock

Followed by
veneration of relics of Pope Pius XII
and a lecture on his life and pontificate by
Sister Margherita Marchione

at

The Church of the Holy Innocents
128 West 37th Street
New York, NY