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[Catholic Caucus] New Front in the Liturgy Wars: Rome Requires Dominicans of the Holy Spirit to Hybridize Novus Ordo and TLMAlmost exactly one year ago, Rorate reported on the plight of the Dominicans of the Holy Spirit, who from their founding adhered with principled consistency to the old liturgical rites. The Vatican sent Novus Ordo apologist Fr Henry Donneaud, OP to "regularize" them in accord with the Vatican campaign against traditional religious life and traditional divine worship.Now, there is an important update. On July 25, the community issued the following press release, which we translate here:In a press release of...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“The seed sown among thorns is the one who hears the word, but then worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word and it bears no fruit. But the seed sown on rich soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields a hundred or sixty or thirtyfold.” Matthew 13:22–23Today, Jesus clarifies for His disciples the meaning of His parable told to the crowds. He explains the meaning of the seed sown on the path, on the rocky ground, among the thorns and on the rich...

[Catholic Caucus] Vatican says Latin Mass parishes in Virginia diocese must offer Latin Novus Ordo once a month insteadThe Vatican’s two-year extension of permission to offer the Traditional Latin Mass in parish churches in the Diocese of Arlington has a catch: They must offer the Novus Ordo instead of the TLM one Sunday a month.ARLINGTON, Virginia (LifeSiteNews) — There are strings attached to the Vatican’s two-year extension for permission to offer the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington in Virginia, with TLM parish churches required to offer the Novus Ordo in Latin once a month instead of the...

“. . . And in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness” (2 Peter 1:6). Godly perseverance is a sure evidence of true salvation. Commentator Michael Green has this to say about the believer who displays biblical perseverance: “The mature Christian does not give up. His Christianity is like the steady burning of a star rather than the ephemeral brilliance (and speedy eclipse) of a meteor.” The Greek word translated “perseverance” in today’s verse (hupomone) refers to consistent endurance in righteousness and faithfulness in resisting temptation. The precise meaning for hupomone is hard to pinpoint. There is no exact...

[Catholic Caucus] FOR THE RECORD: Superior of FSSP discusses Synopsis of French Bishops' TLM SurveyConsidering how the Synopsis of the French Bishops' Survey on the TLM is being weaponized against traditional Catholics, it seems fitting to present here, for the record, a translation of the interview that Fr. Benoît Paul-Joseph, the superior of the FSSP's French district, gave to La Salon Beige on June 7, 2021. Recall that Fr. Paul-Joseph has met now twice with Pope Francis and may be considered to be in possession of the salient facts both at home and in Rome. - PK(Salon-Beige introduction:) Following rumors...

Thursday 25 July 2024 Saint James, Apostle Feast Inside the St James's Apostle Church, High altar, Castile, La Mancha Readings at MassLiturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II).First reading2 Corinthians 4:7-15Such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from usWe are only the earthenware jars that hold this treasure, to make it clear that such an overwhelming power comes from God and not from us. We are in difficulties on all sides, but never cornered; we see no answer to our problems, but never despair; we have been persecuted, but never deserted; knocked down, but never killed; always, wherever we...

[Catholic Caucus] On the Suppression of the TLM on the Covadonga PilgrimageAn ominous sign indicating the credibility of the reports that discuss a further suppression of the Apostolic Roman Rite by the Roman Curia of “Mercy” was the recent announcement by the Vatican prohibiting the celebration of the Gregorian Rite at the Shrine of Our Lady of Covadonga on the final day of the Our Lady of Christendom pilgrimage in Asturias, Spain.At the Archdiocese of Oviedo they have informed us that they have received instructions from the Dicastery for Divine Worship stating that the Traditional Holy Mass is not to...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?” They said to him, “We can.” He replied, “My chalice you will indeed drink, but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” Matthew 20:22–23Saint James was the brother of the beloved disciple John and the son of Zebedee and Salome. Jesus called both James and John while they were working with their father, mending their fishing...

“And in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance . . .” (2 Peter 1:6). Personal self-control demonstrates the certainty of your salvation. In Peter’s day, the word translated “self-control” was used to describe athletes. The successful ones abstained from sexual activity and an unhealthy diet for the sake of disciplined training exercises. You practice personal self-control when you control your desires and don’t allow them to control you. Let me share some practical tips that have helped me with self-control. 1. Start small. For example, begin by cleaning your bedroom or office, then extend that discipline to the...

[Catholic Caucus] Some Reflections for Our Catholic Friends Who Freely Denounce Traditional CatholicsAs Catholics, we hear that we are schismatics, heretics, and enemies of the Church; as those who refuse to take experimental Covid shots, we hear that we are science-deniers and enemies of society. And, thanks be to God, none of that unhinged nonsense impels us to abandon what we know is right.“And why seest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of...

Daily Readings from the USCCBOn that day, Jesus went out of the house and sat down by the sea. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables… Matthew 13:1–3Why did Jesus speak in parables? In today’s Gospel, Jesus goes on to teach the familiar “Parable of the Sower.” Immediately after that parable in today’s Gospel, the disciples do ask Jesus this question. They ask, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus responds to them,...

“. . . in your moral excellence, knowledge” (2 Peter 1:5). Moral excellence cannot develop in an intellectual vacuum. It’s a frightening thing to realize the extent to which our culture downplays knowledge in favor of emotions. These days people are more likely to ask, “How will it make me feel?” instead of, “Is it true?” Sadly, the church has bought into the spirit of the age. Many people go to church, not to learn the truths of God’s Word, but to get an emotional high. The focus of theological discussion also reflects the contemporary hostility to knowledge. To a...

From Pius XII to Paul VI to Cardinal Roche: The Difference One Word Can Make - Article by Paolo PasqualucciThe current Catholic hierarchy, starting with the Pope, often refers to the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) as the basis for the “reforms” it continues to carry out in the constitution of the Church (with synodality), in doctrine (with the ecumenical Declaration of Abu Dhabi), in Christian morality (with unprecedented concessions - liturgical and otherwise - to irregular couples of all kinds) and to justify its constant fight against the ancient rite of the Mass, also known as the “traditional Mass”, whose...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:48–50These questions of Jesus were posed by Him to a crowd of people who were inside a house where He was teaching. His mother and brothers arrived outside asking to speak to Him. First of all, it should be noted that the word “brothers” in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and other languages did not necessarily...

23 July 2024 Tuesday of week 16 in Ordinary Time St. Bridget's Church Gdańsk, PolandReadings at MassLiturgical Colour: Green. Year: B(II).First readingMicah 7:14-15,18-20Have pity on us one more timeWith shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture,the flock that is your heritage,living confined in a forestwith meadow land all around.Let them pasture in Bashan and Gileadas in the days of old.As in the days when you came out of Egyptgrant us to see wonders.What god can compare with you: taking fault away,pardoning crime,not cherishing anger for everbut delighting in showing mercy?Once more have pity on us,tread down our faults,to...

[Catholic Caucus] "Request from Rome": Nuns of Pontcalec Introduce Novus OrdoThe Dominican Sisters of Pontcalec, still an institute of the Roman Rite, announced on 7 July during Sunday Mass that at their retreat (27 July to 2 August) the community Mass would be celebrated according to the Novus Ordo Missae.This measure was taken at "the request from Rome".The news was published in an open letter on LeForumCatholique.org (21 July) by outraged faithful who have settled near the monastery precisely to attend the Roman Mass with their families. They now feel betrayed.They write that the nuns are about "to abandon the...

“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence” (2 Peter 1:5). God’s provision does not preclude our responsibility. There are some who believe that since God has provided everything needed for the Christian life, believers should expect Him to do everything for them. Their motto is, “Let go and let God!” If Peter had a motto for the Christian life, it would have been more along the lines of the popular World War II song, “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!” Peter knew the Christian life is a struggle in which believers...

[Catholic Caucus] Tradition and Traditionalism: Let us not be "men of little faith" - by Father Richard CipollaFather Richard CipollaIn that by now well -read article posted at Messa in Latino just a few weeks ago in which a representative of that web site engaged in a conversation with Andrea Grillo, the famous (or infamous) professor of Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical University of Sant’Anselmo in Rome, I was of course, struck by Professor Grillo’s un-Catholic statement that “Tradition is the future”. The image that sprang to my mind is the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice in Wonderland. Or...

[Catholic Caucus] Why the Attempt to Ban the Latin Mass Is FailingThe inability to shut down the traditional Latin Mass reflects the different between power and authority in the papacy.There has been much chatter on the interwebs lately about possible further restrictions being imposed upon the celebration of the classical Roman Rite, or the Traditional Latin Mass, as it is often called. However, it appears that such rumors are not going to materialize for now, even as the Vatican liturgical office devises new ways to express its contempt for those who attend celebrations of the TLM, in addition to the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMary stayed outside the tomb weeping. And as she wept, she bent over into the tomb and saw two angels in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet where the Body of Jesus had been. John 20:11–12Early in His ministry, Jesus cast seven demons out of Mary of Magdala. As a result, she became an exceptionally faithful follower of Jesus. She was most likely one of His followers who provided for Jesus and the disciples out of her own resources as they traveled. She listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles,...