Fr. Z's Blog

A bunch of things piled up at the end of the old and the beginning of the new, and I’ve been a little depleted.  I haven’t posted a wide variety of individual posts, but you can find variety in these daily Rome Shots.  I comment, too.

I received note that the S.R.E Cardinalis Burke will consecrate a small Roman Baroque chalice at The Parish™ in Rome, Ss. Trinità dei Pellegrini.  I found it on ebay with the indispensable help of The World’s Best Sacristan™.  It has been languishing, unconsecrated and unused, though I was able to enjoy its view during my last Roman Sojourn.  I’ve waited to have it consecrated whom I admire.  I didn’t want to have some knuckle-head do it just because I wanted to use it.  I would have thought of him whenever I used it.  Now, it will remind me of someone more admirable, whom I’ve known cordially for decades.

A couple of details.

This is very cool.  Last night was clear and I had an inkling that that something was up.

Using my SkyView app, I had a look around.

Over near Mars there is a cluster of man-made objects in Scorpius which are being tracked.

And this…

Here is good news: The Benedictine monastery of Norcia, aka the Abbey of San Benedetto in Monte—best known as the home of the "Monks of Norcia—just saw the completion of the decoration of its chapel with frescos of the Nativity by Italian artist Fabrizio Diomedi.

Laud Deo! pic.twitter.com/GlPfMyHkta

— JuventutemDC (@juventutemDC) January 4, 2025

Meanwhile…

Another example of the superiority of the TLM: there are no rubrics for the laity to follow; it is determined by custom built over hundreds of years, not bureaucratic top-down decisions. https://t.co/P3zLXzFQm0

— Eric Sammons (@EricRSammons) January 3, 2025

And also…

A veteran DUP MP and Orangeman is being hailed by right-wing Catholic traditionalists for pressing the Government in defence of the Latin Mass. Jim Shannon said he did so on behalf of devoutly Catholic constituents, some of whom vote for him.https://t.co/Ntvm2RRPJl

— Sam McBride (@SJAMcBride) January 2, 2025

In chessy news… there’s not much going on, so maybe this is relevant for those who want to play chess online… with anyone, anywhere, anytime…. like
Navy Chess”.

You can watch live sports in 8k in Antarctica with @Starlink https://t.co/QtjoidRoU1

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 3, 2025

White to move and mate in three.  HERE

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

At The Parish™.

Meanwhile…

In churchy news, there is a piece at Crisis which deals with the aftermath of the recent “Eucharistic Revival” effort in these USA.   HERE  In my opinion, the ball was dropped.

This is where the fumble was scooped up…

Two-plus years into Roche’s crusade to eliminate the TLM: “Old-time religion: The Latin Mass makes a comeback in Jackson. A small but growing community of Catholics is bringing back the Old Latin Mass to churches like Jackson’s St. Mary’s.”

One parishoner states: “A friend of… pic.twitter.com/0jLFY3pwNE

— DC Rosary Rally for the Latin Mass (@dcrosaryrally) January 2, 2025

pic.twitter.com/fPVUDc2Azz

— Traditional Catholic ? (@_BattleForTruth) January 1, 2025

On this day in 1492, the Muslim stronghold of Granada surrenders to the armies of Castile and Aragon ending more than 700 years of Islamic rule on the Iberian Peninsula. pic.twitter.com/LFChyxLm9q

— Military History Now (@MilHistNow) January 2, 2025

In chessy news… HERE

White to move and mate in two. How fast can you do it?

Many thanks to KS for the items from my wishlist.  I don’t have an email for you, alas.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

HEY!  a******900@charter.net
HEY! s*****41@nc.rr.com

My notes to you were kicked back.   New email?

In churchy news… today a partial indulgence is granted to the faithful who recite the Veni Creator Spiritus. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January 1st or on the feast of Pentecost. HERE

Preces supplicationis et gratiarum actionis

§ 1. Plenaria indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui, in ecclesia vel oratorio, devote interfuerit sollemni cantui vel recitationi:
1° hymni Veni, Creator, vel prima anni die ad divinam opem pro totius anni decursu implorandam; vel in sollemnitate Pentecostes;
[…]
§ 2. Partialis indulgentia conceditur christifideli qui,
1° ineunte et declinante die,
2° in incipiendo et explendo proprio officio,
3° ante et post refectionem, aliquam legitime adprobatam supplicationis et gratiarum actionis precem devote effuderit (e.g. Actiones nostras; Adsumus; Agimus Tibi gratias; Benedic, Domine; Domine, Deus omnipotens; Exaudi nos; Te Deum; Veni, Creator; Veni, Sancte Spiritus; Visita, quaesumus, Domine).

In chessy news… HERE

Dr Joseph Shaw, President of @UnaVoceOfficial (@LMSChairman) looks back at how the cause of Catholic tradition fared in 2024, and why it gives hope for the future. We share the same hope. May the Lord have mercy on us all.? https://t.co/S5Yx1vDcJ9 pic.twitter.com/BzpBEMkWhV

— JuventutemDC (@juventutemDC) January 1, 2025

White moves.  Mate in 4.

Also – and this deserves front page – yesterday in NYC at the world Blitz championship Magnus asked FIDE if he and Nepo could share 1st place (championship).  FIDE said yes.  That’s really interesting, considering the previous tension over Magnus wearing jeans (dress code violation) then quitting Rapid, coming back for Blitze (wearing jeans) and the players who are lining up with “Freestyle” (Fischer Random) which FIDE might not be able to control.

2025 Predictions

1) There will not be a papal conclave.
2) The USCCB will oppose deportations.
3) At least one SCOTUS justice will retire.
4) At least one Cardinal will be a source of major scandal.
5) Vatican finances will deteriorate even more.
6) The summer will bring another social upheaval like 2020.
7) The US border crisis will be mostly resolved.
8) Israel will attack Iranian nuclear sites.
9) The SSPX will consecrate a bishop.
10) Fr. Z will not be made a “Monsignor”.

2024 Predictions

1) Trump will be elected [+1]
2) Hamas will be destroyed in Gaza [+0.5]
3) The Ukrainian war will continue with no results [+1]
4) DDF will continue to confuse Catholic doctrine [+1]
5) The ITC will write about the feminine character of the Church and no one will care [-1]
6) There will not be women deacons [+1]
7) The Eucharistic Renewal in the USA will fizzle [+1]
8) The US border crisis will not be resolved [+1]
9) We still won’t know what is in the China Vatican deal [+1]
10) Fr. Z will not be made a “Monsignor” [+1 – I’m 65!  C’MON!]

Looking back

2023 Predictions
2022 Predictions
2021 Predictions
2020 Predictions
2019 Predictions
2018 Predictions
2017 Predictions
2016 Predictions
2015 Predictions
2014 Predictions
2013 Predictions
2012 Predictions
2011 Predictions
2010 Predictions

Two years ago today, Pope Benedict XVI passed away at 95. His final words, “Lord, I love you,” captured a life devoted to faith. Serving as Pope for 8 years before resigning in 2013, he spent his final days in prayer. Let us remember him and pray for his soul. pic.twitter.com/2Dtss4ipTh

— EWTN Vatican (@EWTNVatican) December 31, 2024

Welcome registrants:

Ave-Maria
The Alderman

Here is a fascinating piece from the past provide by CERC. HERE This is from Fr. Rutler at the time of the death of SCOTUS Justice William Brennan and his scandalous funeral. It is an amazing read, both for Fr. Rutler’s style as well as what it says about us today, many years later. The first paragraph… it should hook you.

Richard Cardinal Cushing was relatively constrained back then, because liturgical depredations had not yet switched into high gear. It was not thus when President Clinton, who vetoed the ban on partial-birth abortions, was permitted to announce to all corners of the cathedral for consumption in all corners of the world: “Brennan’s America is America at its best.” That is, internecine America is at its best with 39 million fewer children than would have been born were it not for Brennan’s eisegesis of the Constitution. Attorney General Janet Reno later said in a speech to the American Bar Association that the honors paid to Brennan in St. Matthew’s Cathedral inspired her to go on.

[…]

It is an amazing read.

Here is something related to what Rutler wrote (which you should read first so that you know what I mean).

Rest in peace, #JimmyCarter. “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7) pic.twitter.com/yfwMdqh7Ii

— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) December 29, 2024

And then there’s this.

A former occultist: “Now this is how someone would sneak in occult symbolism.This thing is basically the precise layout for the invocation of the spirits corresponding to the classical elements as a prelude to witchcraft.” https://t.co/CHAN8Lv0aC

— Beverly De Soto (@Editorregina) December 30, 2024

This interesting video came up in my feed when I was reviewing recaps of games from the FIDE Blitz Open in NYC.

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

In chessy news…  HERE

For your puzzle, white can mate in 2.  Easy, right?  BUT… name the pattern!

This is a heartbreaker, for sure. In NYC during the big Blitz open, Ukrainian veteran Vasyl Ivanchuck, affectionately known as Chucky, who in his day was a true beast, suffered a loss to a young and popular chess content creator Danial Naroditsky whose empathy at the board is manifest.

The haunting final moments of the Round 11 clash between Vassily Ivanchuk and Daniel Naroditsky in World Blitz 2024. Caïssa is a cruel goddess indeed… pic.twitter.com/dch96y76QY

— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) December 31, 2024

HEY! au****.w****@erickson.com My thank you note to you was kicked back as undeliverable. New email?

Please remember me when shopping online and use my affiliate links.  US HERE – UK HERE  WHY?  This helps to pay for health insurance (massively hiked for this new year of surprises), utilities, groceries, etc..  At no extra cost, you provide help for which I am grateful.

HEY! au****.w****@erickson.com My thank you note to you was kicked back as undeliverable. New email?

BREAKING ?: A rare black moon will occur tonight (Dec. 30) at 5:27 pm ET

The term ‘black moon’ refers to the second new moon in a single month, which only occurs roughly every 29 months pic.twitter.com/xR4FhMeHJR

— Latest in space (@latestinspace) December 30, 2024

In chessy news… HERE

White to move and mate in 2.