A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Easter celebration.

Just listen!

A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Triduum discipline.

We hear about the Bapistry of St. John Lateran, where the ancient catechumens became new creations. Card. Schuster looks into the tomb while we wait

We hear about Holy Cross in Jerusalem, the Roman Station for the Good Friday, where relics of the Passion are preserved with soil from Calvary. Card. Bacci talks about Christ’s moral suffering, in addition to his physical, and what it means for us in our own lives.

We hear about St. John Lateran, the Roman Station for the Mass of the Last Supper. Card. Schuster gives insights into the Lesson for the Mass and about victims and sacrifices.

The wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey, the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have a  disc and digital download of the Tenebrae Responses, among the most beautiful chants of the year. See the blog.

We hear about St. Mary Major on the Esquiline Hill, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec why we read all the accounts of the Passion. Card. Schuster presents the Prayer over the People, used at the end of the hours of the Office in the Triduum.

We hear about Santa Prisca on the Aventine Hill, the Roman Station. The identity of St Prisca is uncertain. One tradition claims that she is identical with Priscilla, who is mentioned in the New Testament. Fr. Troadec speaks of Jesus silence during the Passion. Fr. Parsch describes Peter’s Passion after his denial.

We hear about Santa Praessede, the Roman Station, and also the former Station, connected to Peter when he fled Rome. Fr. Troadec has a beautiful reflection on the woman with the alabaster jar.

We hear about St. John Lateran, the Roman Station. I rant for a little while.

A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Lenten discipline.

We hear about St. John at the Latin Gate, the Roman Station. We spend time with Jesus going through His last days before the Passion.

We hear about Santo Stefano Rotondo, the Roman Station. We spend time looking at the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, Mother of God and Coredemptrix.

We hear about Sant’Apollinare, the Roman Station. Fr. Parsch addresses the theme of the Lesson for the Mass in the Vetus Ordo (Babylon) and the Gospel’s figure (the Penitent Woman).  Connected?

We hear about San Marcello, the Roman Station. Fr. Parsch addresses the Good Shepherd. Because it is the Feast of the Annunciation we have a musical tribute to Our Lady’s “Fiat” with a lovely polyphonic “Ave Maria” sung by the choir of St. John Cantius in Chicago.

We hear about Santa Maria in Via Lata, the Roman Station. A continuation from yesterday with Fr. Parsch who was drilling into Passiontide, ancient and modern views.

We hear about San Crisogono, the Roman Station. Fr. Parsch drill into Passiontide, ancient and modern views.

We hear about St. Peter’s in the Vatican, the Roman Station. The little chapel on the hill where I was ordained a priest. Fr. Troadec takes us into the heart of the Passion.

We hear about San Nicola in Carcere, the Roman Station. A church dear to me, as I ordained here to the diaconate.  Fr Troadec takes us into Passiontide.

We hear about Sant’Eusebio, the Roman Station.  Joseph Ratzinger on the 3rd Station of the Way of the Cross of the Lord.

We hear about Santi Silvestro e Martino, the Roman Station.  St. Joseph, true king of the Jews.

We hear about St Paul’s outside the walls, the Roman Station.  The man born blind represents the human race. And Benedict XVI on water, light and life.

We hear about San Lorenzo in Damaso, the Roman Station.  Fulton Sheen aligns moments of the Mass with Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross.

We hear about Santi Quatro Coronati, the Roman Station.  Joseph Ratzinger delivers insights about the truth and union with the Church.

We hear about Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec delves into this point in Lent. Card. Bacci says prayer is the key to Heaven. He has sobering words at the end.

We hear about Santa Susanna, the Roman Station. Card. Bacci addresses the “spirit of prayer” which can transform our daily life itself into prayer.

We hear about Sts. San Lorenzo in Lucina, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec talks about how to evangelize with our lives.

We hear about Sts. Cosmas and Damian, the Roman Station. Card. Bacci talks about being overly attached to worldly goods, and how to treat them properly.

We hear about San Sisto Vecchio, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec gives us sound advice about dealing with difficulties and being forthright.

We hear about Santa Pudenziana the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec explains true community and talks about vocations. The Nuns of Gower sing: O Queen of Priests and Mother.

We hear about St/ Lawrence outs0de-the-walls, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec talks about avoiding the sin that is “the most common cause of man’s damnation”. He talks about means of prevention and means of cure as well as how to make a good confession.

A 5 minute daily podcast to help you in your Lenten discipline.

We hear about San Marco the Roman Station and the Collect church Sant’Adriano once the ancient Senate of Rome. Fr. Troadec the need to make a good examination of conscience.

We hear about Saints Marcellinus and Peter, the Roman Station. Card. Bacci talks about St. Thomas Aquinas, whose feast it is.

I had to reconstruct yesterday’s.

We hear about San Vitale, the Roman Station. Card. Bacci takes a cue from St. Ambrose and expatiates about different martyrdoms, of bloody death and of the virtuous life.

We hear about the beautiful and ancient Santa Maria in Trastevere, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec pries open the Gospel reading for today about the Rich Man and the Beggar who have quite different endings.

We hear about Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, the Roman Station. Card. Bacci really gets after us about how will view our use of our fleeting time when out own time comes.

We hear about Santa Balbina, the Roman Station. Fr. Troadec has an amazing reflection on two kinds of people.

We hear about San Clemente, the Roman Station. If you ever get to Rome, this is a must visit church. It will be one of the most interesting places you see. Fr. Troadec schools us in how intimate the Lord is with us, how close. I’m reminded of “noverim te, noverim me”.

Today we learn about the Station of all four Ember Fridays. Pius Parsch on the happiness of a clear conscience.

Today we hear about St. Lawrence, his churches in Rome and his martyrdom. Why did the Lord at first refuse a miracle to the Canaanite woman?

Today we hear about the Roman Station: St. Mary Major, a review of Ember days, and then about our annual Lenten Retreat’s four preachers.

St. Jerome used to say Mass at the Roman Station today. We hear something Christ told St. Catherine of Siena in the Dialogues. Then, a blunt prayer to illuminate the wicked in the Church, to expose the horrors they are working. Fr. Troadec describes praying in faith filled simplicity. Lastly, on his feast day, we hear the Collect for St. Matthias.

Whew.

Today we visit St. John Lateran, the Roman Station and also talk about the Feast of the Cathedra of St. Peter, which is today, 22 February. The Bl. Ildefonso Schuster takes over with a fascinating digression about the angels who ministered to the Lord in his human body and also in his mystical body.

We hear today about chains, bonds, uniting and separating. Pius Parsch chimes in on what the Church wants us to learn today.

Today our Roman Station is at the Church of St. Augustine. We hear from Fr. Troadec about a sin of the tongue, gossip that harms the reputations of others.

Today we get into the Prayer over the people, Oratio super populum - at the end of Mass in the Vetus Ordo.

We hear from St. John Henry Newman about Lent and then there is a stirring reflection from Fr. Troadec: “If we were to die this night, would we be ready?”  

Today we hear an excerpt from St. Jerome’s Letter 14 to his friend Heliodorus. Jerome tries to persuade him - in beautiful Latin - to take up the ascetic life again.

Remarks about the Roman Stations, the manner of imposition of ashes, and thoughts of Fr. Troadec, which I don’t believe I’ve read on an Ash Wednesday. He’s terrific. And brief. Terrific partly because he’s brief!

Getting ready for the Church’s annual retreat when we will be confronted with reality.

Today we hear from a 4th century nun name Egeria, or sometime Etheria and her pilgrimage, Itinerario or Peregrinatio, an extended journey through Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Syria, and Mesopotamia.  

In this excerpt she describes Holy Thursday night liturgy in Jerusalem.

Some of you get Patristic readings in the office of readings in the Liturgy of the Hours but do you hear them?  That’s another question.  There are 42 brief readings in the book by authors whom you will more than likely recognize.    I propose to read an English translation, make some comments and read the Latin. 

It occurred to me that I might offer a podcast of the first reading and see how it goes.   Some of you get Patristic readings in the office of readings in the Liturgy of the Hours but do you hear them?  That’s another question.  There are 42 brief readings in the book by authors whom you will more than likely recognize.    I propose to read an English translation, make some comments and read the Latin.

Today we hear from the Acts of the Martyrdom of St. Cyprian of Carthage 

St. Cyprian was bishop of Carthage from 248 to 258. He had survived the persecution of Decius by going on the run until the death of that emperor in 251. When after some years’ respite a new persecution broke out in 257, under Valerian, he was arrested and sent into exile. The year following, he was brought back to Carthage and tried on September 14th, 258. The scene of his martyrdom was, as we are told by the deacon Pontius in his We of Cyprian, a valley surrounded by wooded hills on the estate of Sextus. Some of the spectators climbed trees when they found that the size of the crowd or the distance kept them from a good view.

St. Cyprian of Carthage stands as one of the most lucid episcopal witnesses of the third century, a man whose theology was forged in persecution and whose blood sealed his teaching.  In Cyprian, doctrine, discipline, and martyrdom converge in a single, luminous testimony.  J. N. D. Kelly, on Cyprian’s authority and legacy:

“No Latin Father before Augustine exercised so decisive an influence on Western ecclesiology as Cyprian.”

It occurred to me that I might offer a podcast of the first reading and see how it goes.   Some of you get Patristic readings in the office of readings in the Liturgy of the Hours but do you hear them?  That’s another question.  There are 42 brief readings in the book by authors whom you will more than likely recognize.    I propose to read an English translation, make some comments and read the Latin. 

Card. Bacci took us out of last year.  He brings us in now with sound advice.

Joseph Ratzinger reflects on the rhythm of life tied to the mysteries of God and the year.

Today Card. Bacci keeps us very sober.

Fr. Troadec takes us into three degrees of humility.

Bossuet to Troadec.. he shoots…. he SCORES.

I rant for a while about St. Thomas of Canterbury, and Church and State and … shepherds.

Pius Parsch talks about the six throne of Jesus.

Dom Prosper Guéranger on the wonder of adoption.

At the end, a taste of the heartrending Coventry Carol in honor of the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

About the Beloved Disciple from

John received three gifts from the Lord corresponding to the three “states” Christ experienced, life, death and life and death mingled.

Today I explain the three feast days now so closely tied to Christmas, St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, and the Holy Innocents.

Fr. Troadec has a beautiful reflection on St. Stephen. 

Fr. Troadec on the “marvelous night”.

Fulton Sheen, opines.

Fr. Parsch starts to lead us into the point of Christmas with observations about the visible and the invisible.

Fr. Troadec about charity and … whew… time.

Card. Bacci hits us smack between the eyes.

O Emmanuel.

Pius Parsch describes the progression of Advent and it’s ongoing importance for our spiritual lives.

The Collect and “O”.

Today, we hear about the intersection of divinity and humanity and how we tend to treat God like we treat each other.

Card. Bacci contrasts flashy works of pride and quiet works for God.

Joseph Ratzinger zooms to the heights he can reach about faith and reason and emotion and then he gets quite concrete and practical.

Connect that to a note from Fulton Sheen.

Bl. Ildefonso on how we are more blessed than the patriarch and prophets.

With reference to the Usus Antiquior Mass for Ember Saturday Pius Parsch looks at those who will accompany the King.

Today a reminder from Fulton Sheen.

It’s not a fanciful tale, it’s true.

If we do not love Jesus, whom else are we capable of loving?

Today is jampacked, liturgically.  We enter today, 17 December, into the final stretch before Christmas.  Therefore at Vespers we start to sing the O Antiphons.  Today is Ember Wednesday in Advent.  Today’s Mass is also called the “Golden Mass… Missa Aurea” because of the reflection on the moment of the Incarnation and also because in early missals the initial of the Introit was often decorated with gold, it was highly esteemed.

Today we explore what “conscience” means, how its gets things right, and how it goes wrong.

We drill into “patience”, which is a key point in the Mass formulary of Gaudete Sunday (hint: modestia)

Today we have a preview of the new week’s liturgical features.

Then we hear Fr. Troadec on preparing to receive the graces God wants to give us at Christmas.

Today we do a spiritual deep dive into the thematic Introit of Holy Mass which gives this 3rd Sunday of Advent its nickname: Gaudete… Rejoice!

Today we hear from a great book from TAN Books called Advent and Christmas with the Church Fathers: a seven week Retreat on the Mystery and the Meaning of the Incarnation.  (Link on the blog.) We hear about New Adam, New Eve, the Baptist and the nuptial theme.  It goes on with Augustine from s. 293 about John as the Voice and Christ as the Word.

Today Fr. Troadec teaches about why some are scandalized by Jesus.

Card. Bacci leans in hard about acceptance of God’s will no matter what.

Joseph Ratzinger riffs on the person of the Baptist and the Christian imperative of metanoia.

Card. Bacci forcefully admonishes us about reception of the Word.

Fulton Sheen is, as usual, brilliant.

Today I found a passage wherein Joseph Ratzinger investigates the world-mired mindset of those who resist the teaching of the Virgin Birth.  I wonder it pertains (via modernism) today and the reduction of titles of Mary.

Then we hear about how to attain peace of soul in this world.

We hear from Pius Parsch today about the meaning of the Feast in the context of Advent and what it could indicate for our spiritual progress.

Today Fr. Troadec talks great sense about REALITY and spiritual progress. Card. Bacci administers a dose of medicine.

Pius Parsch show how this Sunday, this week, focuses on Jerusalem, which is symbolic.

We hear about the second week from Advent and Christmas with the Church Fathers: a seven week Retreat on the Mystery and the Meaning of the Incarnation.

The striking figure of St. Nicholas Jesus, Son of Mary Linking Advent and illness

Today, we hear that the Church is perhaps bigger and smaller than we think. Fr. T explains how we will be judged by Christ in his humanity.

Today Fr. Parsch explains the structure of Advent. Fr. Troadec explains why the world will be destroyed by fire.

St. Bibiana is an example for us today How to be “perfect”

Today Fr. Troadec has thoughts about Advent. Card. Bacci talks about purity of heart. Fulton Sheen turns us inside out.

Fr. Z rants a little. A note about discipline of prayer during Advent.

For the book used and music note, see the blog.

Some remarks about Advents for this “zeroeth” podcast.
St. John Henry Newman describes being watchful. The Collect for the 24th and Last Sunday after Pentecost.

00:14 Init 02:03 - Gower Abbey, etc. 08:01 - Monastere Saint Benoit, Brignoles 11:46 - Wanderer - Our Civilization’s Death Wish 17:42 - Wanderer - Ban Mass in Spanish? 29:14 - Wanderer - Blood of St. Januarius Liquifies 35:00 - Exit PayPal Venmo

00:14 Init 00:35 SSPX chapel near the sad Diocese of Charlotte 09:40 About Viaticum 18:39 Wherein Fr. Z rants 20:54 From Concealed Carry Magazine 23:27 Wherein Fr. Z rants again 26:12 What some monks are up to 33:46 NEWS FROM BEYOND! 36:40 Exit

It’s 22 June 2025 and it is the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost although in most places people are celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi. It’s wonderful to see the practices of Eucharistic processions returning. A couple years ago, I saw a movie called News of the World with Tom Hanks. He plays a former confederate officer, years after the Civil War. He travels from town to and town and reads aloud stories from different newspapers. He scratches out a living as a gazetteer. People were starved for news and often not literate so they paid a dime .10c a head to listen. That’s about $2.50 today. [HERE] The idea of a wandering gazetteer caught my imagination and here I am.

It’s 15 June 2025 and it is Trinity Sunday, most feasts tell us what God does, but this one tells who God is. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News of the World. in the movie, years after the Civil War, a former confederate officer travels from town to and town and reads aloud stories from different newspapers. He scratches out a living as a gazetteer. People pay a dime .10c a head to listen, which is about $2.50 today. The idea of a wandering gazetteer caught my imagination and here I am, a gazetteer for you.

00:14 Init 01:02 - Philip Lawler on what to expect from Leo XIV 09:44 - Coenaculo Newsletter 13:54 - Catholic Herald - Young people and the TLM 21:25 - Melancholy Space News 25:23 - SSPX Angelus: Back Cover Letter 30:42 - Exit

This is the sixth and final PODCAzT for the Pentecost Octave. 

Sermon 80 of St. Leo the Great (+442), was preached on one of the fast days in the week after Pentecost. It is incredibly short, so we hear it in its entirety in English first and then in Latin.  I give some pointers for how to listen to both the English and what to listen for in the Latin as well.

Please forgive me for a slip… I forget what century we are presently in.  Oh well…

Then, I just ramble.  More than I usually do, that is.  I wasn’t even going to make this PODCAzT today, but at the last said… what the heck.  So, I look around at the books on my desk and pick things up and just start talking, and creating links between them and what pops into my mind.  This is a bit of an experiment.

For music, we have Come, Holy Ghost from the Choir of Queen’s College, Oxford, then O, Come Holy Spirit by the King’s Consort, then Veni Creator Spiritus by a whole bunch of Franciscans.  Toward the end we hear Veni Sancte Spiritus again from Queen’s College. To wrap it up, Veni Sancte Spiritus, the whole thing, the Sequence in Gregorian Chant sung by the Norbertines at Sant’Antimo in Italy. 

This is the fifth PODCAzT for the Pentecost Octave. 

Thanks to your feedback for the last couple days.  Stats dropped yesterday, so this may be the last one.

Today we will look at some customs associated with Pentecost, very beautiful.  These customs informed the rhythm of people’s lives for centuries.

Then we will drill into the image of the dew of the Holy Spirit (which some bishops sadly think people are too thick to understand and therefore want to eliminate the image from liturgical translations…).  To help we enlist the help of a very wise Bishop, the great Ambrose of Milan (+397) who always tried to explain hard things to his people rather than make them out to be too stupid to get the point.  Ambrose wrote a work On the Holy Spirit in which he explains the dew that descended on Gideon’s fleece in the Book of Judges.  So, we will hear Judges 6 and 7 and then Ambrose allegorical commentary.  Fascinating stuff, I can tell you.

This reading from Scripture and the patristic commentary, gives you a sense of how some of the Father’s worked with Scripture and how their reflections can be useful for us today.

Of course, I have lots of comments along the way.

For music, we have an antiphon for Pentecost in Gregorian chant, and a bitter sweet song Dancing at Whitsun, a folk song, which speaks of the rhythm of our lives and the challenges we endure.  There is a Fastasia super Kom, Heiliger Geist BWV 651 by J.S. Bach on the pipe organ, which Holy Church recommends above all other instruments.  We hear a haunting Byzantine Communion for mid-Pentecost, in other words this very week and at the end a real change of pace, which you can listen to yourselves.

This is the fourth PODCAzT for the Pentecost Octave.

Today we learn what St. Leo the Great (+461) thought about the fasting Christians should engage in after Pentecost, in other words on the Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of this very week! These are our Ember Day’s those beautiful days which helped Catholics for may centuries regulate the rhythm of their lives in the consecration of the seasons of the year, and learn to use God’s creation with moderation. Leo has a fascinating insight about how we cannot truly be Christians, in a deeper sense, without fasting and almsgiving. These two necessary practices, shape in inner man in Wisdom…Sapientia.

Then we hear the Pentecost sermon of Pope Benedict XVI, [once] gloriously reigning. He speaks about the diversity of our Church which must, as a necessary characteristic have unity, without which a group cannot truly be called a Church. This has ecumenical implications, bet on it!

Of course, I have lots of comments along the way.

For music, there is a festive paschal Alleluia from the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, just to remind us of the connection of Easter and Pentecost. We have some Gregorian chant from the Monastery of Sant’Antimo is Tuscany, an Alleluia: Veni Sancte Spiritus and also the Sequence Veni Sancte Spiritus, which is one of my very favorite of all the chants of the year. Also, there is a text of Hildegard von Bingen, an O Sapientia. Moreover, Thomas Tallis‘s Loquebantur variis linguis helps us stay focused on what this Octave is about.

Finally, we have a prayer invoking the help of the Holy Spirit, appropriate in this Octave of Pentecost.

Today we learn about what Ember Day’s are, these beautiful days which helped Catholics for may centuries regulate the rhythm of their lives in the consecration of the seasons of the year, and learn to use God’s creation with moderation. 

Then we hear from St. John Chrysostom (+407) on the choice of St. Matthias to replace Judas who had fallen away.  I have comments about bishops.

Finally, we hear a marvelous old prayer invoking the help of the Holy Spirit, appropriate in this Octave of Pentecost.

Today we dig into John Paul II’s encyclical on the Holy Spirit Dominum et vivificantem and what he teaches about the unforgivable sin, “blasphemy” against the Holy Spirit. I add digressions, including one the self-enclosed circle created in versus populum worship rather than the opening out to the coming of the Lord in ad orientem worship. Then we hear Our Lady of Fatima, on this her feast day. We hear Lucia’s description of the vision of Hell, which Our Lady showed the children.

I dig in to what a liturgical Octave, is adding my own comments.

The we hear from the great St. Augustine (+430) on the feast of Pentecost, preaching on 12 June 412. He has interesting wine imagery and talks about what it means to be a living member of the Body of Christ.

00:14 - Init 01:08 - Pope Leo XIV’s Pectoral Cross 07:00 - Pope Leo XIV’s June Intention 11:57 - The true “Holy Grail”? 15:19 - Letter of the District Superior of the SSPX 24:30 - Boris Spassky retrospect 30:10 - Concealed Carry: Sacrilege? 34:00 - On he Descent the Holy Spirit by Fulton Sheen 36:45 - Exit

I give you some background on what a sequence is, what an octave is and then we start drilling.

First we hear the Latin text and a good translation.   Then see start looking at the structure of the prayer.

That is when things get interesting.  I found a few things I had never noticed.

00:14 - Init 01:00 - June and the Sacred Heart 10:25 - News from Outer Space 16:10 - Connecting Pentecost and Cheesecake 21:26 - News from Gower Abbey 26:14 - Frequency of Confession 28:46 - SSPX opines about Pope Leo XIV 35:00 - Exit

The final Roman Station is San Pancrazio in the Janiculum Hill.

Scott Hahn gives us a helpful view of the Church which we should always keep in mind in spite of the “scandal, hypocrisy, bland liturgies, false teaching, broken families, sin and sinners everywhere.” It’s a summary of all times in the Church. But doesn’t this have a ring of truth for the period we have just passed through?

We pray for better times, but much depends on us. As St. John Paul II said: “Make yourselves saints, and do so quickly!”

Scott Hahn reflects on the fact that Heaven is more real than the reality we experience with our senses.

We hear about the consecration of the Pantheon as a church by Boniface IV in 609 and the screaming of the demons that came out of it because of the idols that were in it. Then Scott Hahn addresses the problem of the idol our society has made of sex along with the corrective of what true fulfilment and intimacy is.

Scott Hahn talks about the bond of Christ and His Body, His Church, His Bride, which is our bond.

Scott Hahn drives home how liturgy, our worship, our participation in the Church’s liturgy affects the course of history.

Sound familiar?  I have a few thoughts about that.

Scott Hahn reflects on the Heavenly liturgy as related in the Book of Revelation and how it teaches us to worship.

We also hear what my home parish sounded like on Easter Sunday and why I am, in many respects, who and what I am today.

Today we heard about what a liturgical octave is. Also, Scott Hahn describes how all of creation is like an orchestra played by angels for the sake of divine worship.

Today Scott Hahn talks about how, by God’s design, all creation is involved in worship of God. How should we worship God? Card. Bacci talks about true peace, which is “tranquilitas ordinis”, which is “concordia ordinata”.

Today Scott Hahn talks about how God the Father provided and provides for his children.  We responded with sin.  He responded with more love to help us to our true homeland, Heaven.   Card. Bacci gives us a head start on true Easter.  You’ve heard of “permanent revolution”?  How about “permanent resurrection”!

Fr. Parsch explains our Mary-soul and our Judas-soul.

Fr. Parsch, wisely, makes a point I’ve been making for years: our liturgical rites are not mere memories of past events. They make us present to the mysteries past … and future.

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is celebrated as a martyr, though he lived to old age. We hear about the different kinds of martyrdom, red, white and blue/green. Card. Bacci encourages us, who wind up sometimes failing.

We are one week from Good Friday. It is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Fr. Troadec talks about Jesus’ divinity claims. The world is divided in two camps.

Fr. Troadec talks about Jesus choosing self-sacrifice.

The Roman Station is St. Peter’s in the Vatican. Fr. Troadec introduces us to Passiontide.

This is not to be missed.

That’s means dying… dying well.

Today’s Mass readings and tomorrow’s are a pair of cufflinks aimed at two groups of people.

Fulton Sheen gives us a pep talk.  Card. Bacci tackles an important aspect of the spiritual life.

“Through the centuries the Church must walk the way of the Cross; woe to her if she seeks other paths, for only through the Cross can she arrive at her goal, resurrection.”

Today the Roman Station is Holy Cross in Jerusalem where the relics of the Passion are venerated.

Fr. Troadec speaks about joyful progress.

Card. Bacci and St. Francis de Sales give us a lesson about overcoming our character faults and progressing in the spiritual life.

Wonderful St. Joseph!

We hear from a sermon of St. Gregory The Great (+604).  He put together many of the Mass formularies and traditional practices we use today.  He reminds his listeners that they had had very bad times.  Now that things were better, the Enemy had to change his approach to ruining souls.    At the end, the beginning of an appropriate orchestral piece.

We hear also the wonderful Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles at Gower Abbey, whose singing is angelic.  Two bits herein from their album The Holy Trinity at Ephesus  HERE

Today Fr. Troadec explains in simple terms what holiness is.   John Paul II reminds us of what our true goal is.  

Thank you Holy Church for arranging it this way and, thanks also to Fr. Troadec for pointing out some things.

We hear some of the Introit of the Mass today in the Vetus Ordo, of course. Also at the end the rending duetto at the beginning of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater.

There is some discussion of the number 38. I’ll tell you why. So, will, indirectly, Fr. Troadec, who talks about patience and resignation in the face of trials.

The Benedictines of Gower Abbey sing to us. 

Instead, I’ve turned again to Fr. Troadec about the faith of the Canaanite woman. I don’t recall ever having read this one for these podcasts.

We hear something of the history of this fascinating and important ancient church and its holdings. Comments about mosaics. Fr. Troadec advises about not having a careless Lent, because there will be consequences.

The Roman Station is Sant’Agostino “ad Typhonem”.  We hear again from Fulton Sheen’s<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Demonic-Fulton-J-Sheen-ebook/dp/B0D9YX37X4/?tag=onamzwhatdoes-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <em>On The Demonic</em></a>.  I will need several of these podcasts for what I want to hand along from this chapter.   Notes about an addition to Mass during Lent.

RESOLUTIONS To progress in our prayer life: hold ourselves in the presence of God by carefully keeping silence of eyes and ears, forgetting ourselves; be more faithful to morning and evening prayer; attend Mass during the week or make a spiritual communion; take greater care with our thanksgiving; say the rosary; make a visit to the Blessed Sacrament or spend a few minutes meditating before or after Mass; attend Vespers.

The Roman Station is Sts. John and Paul on the Caelian Hill.  We hear again from Fulton Sheen’s On The Demonic.  I will need several of these podcasts for what I want to hand along from this chapter.   It occurs to in this section to think about how scientific advances have allowed us to see new things in the Shroud of Turin and in the Tilma of Guadalupe.

A reminder about the Roman Station. Receiving ashes is different in different places. Fr. Troadec gets us started. We hear the beginning of the beautiful chant Immutemur habitu in cinere et cilicio on the way out.

The Roman Station is San Giorgio in Velabro, near where St. Sebastian died and where St. John Henry Newman was one the Titular Cardinal.  We hear from Fulton Sheen’s On The Demonic.  I will need several of these podcasts for what I want to hand along from this chapter.

It’s “Shrove Tuesday”. What’s “shrove”, anyway?

Today, three categories for consideration.

00:13 - Init 01:26 - Beginning of St. Joseph’s Month. 05:18 - News of the Moon, Jesuits and insects 11:47 - Another “red shift” Jesuit scientist (but not a Communist for a change). 18:06 - The Wanderer: “We Must Renew Our Trust In God” 26:29 - Wherein Fr. Z rants 30:29 - Litany of St. Joseph 36:00 - Exit

An audio “gazette” of Catholic things.

00:12 - Init 00:59 - Chronicle of Le Barroux 06:24 - Chronicle of Gower Abbey 11:30 - Chronicle of Silverstream 17:45 - SSPX church consecrated 22:23 - Exit

Some bleak exuberance about Exsuperantius. Father Parsh and Troadec remark on the point of the condescension of God.

Card. Schuster remarks on the office of bishop. Then Pius Parsch, with the help of St. John Chrysostom, remarks on the office of priest. Card. Bacci comments on what the Infant Jesus wants from us, as we look at Him, and He looks back at us.

Card. Bacci tells us about St. John’s constancy with Christ and his emphasis on charity. Fulton Sheen recounts the difference between the two miraculous catches of fishes and how John and Peter reacted according to their characters. Fr. Troadec, the Lord’s three gifts to John which correspond to the three different states of our Lord while on Earth, life, death and something in between.

A note from Fulton Sheen, some history of the celebration of the Feast in the ancient Roman Church, what happened to Stephen and why, what it means for us.

Today we have a reflection from Fr. Troadec about the place where the Lord was born.  Cardinal Bacci on apparent success and true success.

Fr. Pius Parsh on the “exaltation” of the “King”.  Bl. Ildefonso Schuster on the least we should do. Fr. Troadec: “Reestablish the reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ!”

Fulton Sheen about “I’ll do it myyyy waaaaay!”  The Collect.  Fr. Troadec talks about what the Collect expressed, coincidently, and with Advent images.

Packed today! Sheen, Bacci, Troadec. Sort of like Tinker to Evers to Chance!

Card. Bacci hits us directly between the eyes with the snap of a wet towel. Fr. Troadec pours it on.

Today we hear about the Visitation and a reflection about mothers.

Today Card. Bacci talks about what to aim for in getting ready for Christmas: humility.

Fr. Troadec waxes eloquent about the O Antiphons.

Today, about the December Ember Days as times for ordination, and how “the highest interests of Christian people are bound up, to a great extent, with the holiness of the clergy”.

Also, comments about the <em>Missa Aurea</em>.

Today we hear about a dialogue concerning Christian joy between a troubled soul and Holy Mother Church.

Today, an important topic: How do we check that our conscience is operating as it should?

We are introduced once again to the O Antiphons: How are they constructed?

Today we hear about growing joy and about true consolations, contrasted with what passes.

Today we get into the danger of human respect. Sheen on what to do. Card. Bacci describes two kinds of desire.

Card. Bacci on weighing human success and failure, human esteem and opinion. Fulton Sheen and what God can do with a dirty bucket.

Today Fr. Troadec gives a highly insightful look into three types of souls, those who long for perfect but have no peace, those who have an unhealthy desire for perfection, and those who can’t commit. Also, Card. Bacci addresses the immense gifts God has given for our spiritual lives. Are we grateful?

Today we hear about a particular element in the depiction of Mary as the Immaculate Conception. Also, Fr. Troadec speaks about how the Lord was prophesied so that He would be recognized when He came.

Today we hear about how to use our time spent waiting in a spiritually useful sense. Also, Card. Zen talks about repentance.

Today we hear from Fr. Troadec about how God is the Just Judge, an appropriate point of reflection for Advent. Also, St. Ambrose speaks about Mary as “type” of the Church.

Today, we hear about St. Nicholas of Bari, the origin story of “Santa Claus”. Also, what it means for our lives to have certain individual gifts and talents.

Today we hear about how we will be judged not by the Father, but by Christ in his humanity, not in His divinity. Also, Card. Bacci explains what healthy and true self-love is and what it isn’t.

Today we hear about how Gabriel, in coming to Zechariah, underscores the fulfilment of the prophecy in Daniel 9. We get some medieval beats as well.

Today we hear about Matins during Advent and also, with the help of Benedict XVI, about Oxen and Asses in our Christmas scenes.

Today we hear from Bl. Ildefonso Schuster about how once upon a time verses were sung before the Introit in honor of St. Gregory the Great. Also, Card. Bacci fills us in about life.

Fr. Troadec recounts the victorious elements of the Resurrection.

At the end music from my home parish by Pietro Yon, Victimae paschali laudes. Yes, it’s really the parish’s choir.

Today, Benedict XVI reflects on the Shroud of Turin.

Fr. Troadec on “It is consummated”.

The Roman Station is supposed to be St. John Lateran for the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Last Supper.  The final prayer before the beginning of the Triduum.

The Roman Station is supposed to be St. John Lateran for the Chrism Mass and the Mass of the Last Supper.

Fulton Sheen talks about the Good Thief and Jesus. Fr. Troadec considers the reading of the Passion according to Luke at Holy Mass today.

Today, I present a summary of how, since Septuagesima, we are being prepared - pruned - in our liturgical rites.   Fr. Troadec tells us about the silence of Jesus in His Passion.

Today, even though the Feast of the Annunciation is transferred, we hear from Fr. Troadec about Mary’s “yes”.  We are also reminded to be resolute about our resolutions.

Today, I speak about how to participate in and benefit from the sacred mysteries of Holy Week and the Triduum. Fr. Troadec looks into the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.

Today, Fulton Sheen talks about death.  Different kinds of martyrdom.

Today,  Fr. Troadec points out that we are one week out from Good Friday and talks about the Sorrows of Mary on this her Feast day.

Today, on this Feast of St. Benedict, Pope Benedict XVI gives us a reflection.

Today Fr. Troadec has a beautiful reflection on St. Joseph.

Today, Fr. Troadec talks about the conversion of Nineveh and Jonah. The penance of Lent draws graces down from God.

Today, we review the process of pruning we have undergone since Pre-Lent and how the pruning is now going to be seriously stepped up in the Traditional Roman Rite. Also, we hear about Veronica’s veil, which is exposed for veneration today in St Peter’s Basilica.

Today, Card. Richelieu gives excellent advice about either not being taken in by outward piety but lack of action or also preferment for the favored of the powerful.

Today, we continue with the connection of yesterday’s and today’s Masses in the Vetus Ordo with a insight of Pius Parsch which we should take with us to every single Mass, to every reading of Scripture. Then outstanding spiritual advice from Card. Richelieu, to whom we return.

Today, Pius Parsch helps us with the two resurrection stories in the readings for Holy Mass in the Vetus Ordo, explaining that today’s Mass seems to be aimed at penitents while tomorrow’s, an older formula, is aimed at catechumens. Of course, he relates these to us, our lives, our deaths and resurrections.

Today, we go back in time to the special rites performed for the ancient catechumens on this day, once the mid-point of Lent. These rites eventually came to be part of a continuous rite of baptism. They included the placing of salt in the mouth, the opening of the ears, and several exorcisms. Today we hear the second of the exorcisms. Last year we heard the first (which I’m sure you remember).

Today, we hear from Pius Parsch about how Moses is a “type”, a foreshadowing, of Christ.

Today, we hear about Lord foretelling His greatest miracle.

Today, Pius Parsch the symbolism of the rose with the season of Lent and the life of the Lord.

Today, we connect the OT and NT readings.  Fulton Sheen explores the last part of the episode of the Woman Taken In Adultery and what Christ really did.

Today, we hear the 16th Counsel from Card. Richelieu, in A Treatise on Perfection Saintly Counsel on Obtaining Salvation: Novelty In The Spiritual Life Should Not Be Sought For Its Own Sake.     I’ll leave you to form your own applications of his wise counsel.

Today, Card. Bacci talks about St. Thomas Aquinas, whose Feast it is.  Fulton Sheen on the Crucifixion.

Today, Car. Bacci talks about the joy of the saints.  Card. Richelieu has practical observations about moral perfection.

Today, Fr. Troadec talks about belonging.

Today Cardinal Richelieu gives us a cold slap of reality straight in the face.  You hear some Arabic Christian Chant for Lent.

Today, Fr. Troadec talks about the demons that prompt people to impurity. Important.

Today, Card. Richelieu speaks of something dangerous in the spiritual life. Fulton Sheen talks about the efficacy of the synodal (“walking together” process… er um… no, rather… about just talking and not doing.

Today, Card. Richelieu speaks of excesses and Fulton Sheen address the “three intimacies”.

Today, Fr. Troadec about external appearances.

Today, you get Fulton Sheen and Card. Richelieu.  His counsel about melancholy is helpful.

You can co

Today, Fr. Troadec explains the difference between two kinds of men.  

Today, a brief but wise counsel from Card. Richelieu and an insight from Fulton Sheen.

A video about today’s Roman Station, San Clemente, is linked at the blog.

Today, I have a little ramble about the 1st readings for Mass today in the Vetus Ordo, the Traditional Latin Mass supplemented by a comment from Bl. Ildefonso Schuster. Then Card. Richelieu wisely counsels us about it not being good enough simply to avoid harming people. That’s not enough for the Christian life.

We continue our spiritual pilgrimage to today’s Roman Station, Santa Maria in Domnica, with a video visit linked on the blog

Today, we visit San Pietro in Vaticano.  We hear about the thematic progression of the Lenten Ember Days and how the whole 1st week of Lent ties together and culminates with the 2nd Sunday.  Card. Richelieu continues to advise us about making progress in the spiritual life.  Sound advice!

On the blog is a link to a video visit to the Station.

Today, we visit Santi Dodici Apostoli and hear a useful spiritual counsel.

Today, we continue our spiritual pilgrimage to the Roman Stations by visiting San Lorenzo in Panisperna.

A video visit to San Lorenzo, made by a friend in Rome, is linked on the blog.

Today, we continue with Card. Richelieu’s counsel about progress.  We all have faults.  We all have merits.  How to view them in myself and in others?

Today, we continue with Card. Richelieu’s counsel about progress - or not - on our faults and false progress in the spiritual life.

Today, we continue with Card. Richelieu’s simple and practical advice about taking on penances.

A video visit to the Roman Station, St. Peter in Chains, made by a friend in Rome is linked on the blog.

Today, we have a spiritual counsel by Armand Jean du Plessis, Duke of Richelieu about being super pious but, in truth, sinning.

Fulton Sheen touches on touch, and not in a Tucho tush touchy way.

At the blog a link to a video trip to the Roman Station, St John Lateran

Today Card. Richelieu gives counsel about the fulfillment of one legitimate duties and responsibilities as having primacy over any other works of piety or charity.

We have about the special Lenten Oratio super populum at the end of Mass.

In the blog post is a link to the Crux Stationalis video about the Roman Station: Sant’Agostino ad Tryphonem

published by Silverstream Priory

Composed for Good Friday 2005 for the Colosseum in Rome

With Gregorian Chant of the Stabat Mater between the Stations

Today, Cardinal Richelieu - yes, him - gives us a Spiritual Counsel (#1)

Today, we hear from John Henry Newman about the circle of the year.  Fulton Sheen drops a bomb.  The “prayer over the people”.

Roman Station San Giorgio in Velabro video by Crux Stationalis

Today we talk about the Roman Stations for every day of Lent. We hear about different customs for imposing ashes. The beautiful Emendemus takes us out.

Roman Station: Santa Sabina video by Crux Stationalis

Today, we hear what “Shrove” means as in Shrove Tuesday. What is Lent? We have reminders about Roman Stations and purpose of Lent.

It’s 12 February 2024 and it is a Monday, the the day after Quinquagesima Sunday and two days before Ash Wednesday. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News of the World in which after the Civil War a former confederate officer eeks out a living wandering from town to town reading to people articles from newspapers he has gathered. People who pay a dime a head which figures to about $2.50. In those days news was scare and many couldn’t read at all, so there was great interest and emotion over the news of the world he brought. The idea of this travelling gazeteer caught my imagination and here I am. The word Gazette came into English through French but it’s origin is Italian, gazzetta, which is the name of the Venetian coin which paid for the first first Venetian newspapers in the 16th century. Here is today’s audio “gazette” of Catholic things.

00:12 Init 01:28 Men’s Club 05:19 St. Agnes, virgin and martyr 13:00 Card. Richelieu 21:10 Swiss Guard 27:26 Exit