The little seminarian martyr and the saturno...

Blessed Rolando Rivi.

After reading about the young saint, I felt a deeper appreciation of the traditional garb of priests, the cassock and saturno. In 1944 after the German invasion of Italy, the seminaries were closed. A young seminarian Rolando Maria Rivi returned home, yet continued to wear his cassock, insisting "I am studying to be a priest and the cassock is the sign that I belong to Jesus.”

Despite anticlerical sentiment in his area, Rolando wore the outward sign that he was still a seminarian and candidate for the priesthood. The cassock with the saturno was the ordinary form of dress for seminarians at that time. [Bl. Rolando's example reminded me of another young martyr, Bl. Isidore Bakanja, the Africa Scapular martyr - when his persecutors ordered him to remove his scapular, Isidore refused and was severely flogged.]

I continue to have a deeper respect for priests and seminarians who choose to wear the cassock, or wear it because it is the custom in the diocese they serve. It is a wonderful witness.

It seems to me when the Pope expresses criticism of some of those who adopt the traditional clerical garb, he is warning against 'vain rejoicing' in the clerical status, if you will. For instance, if a priest layers expensive clothing upon his ordinary clerical-wear, and models and parades about to impress others with his taste and style and the expense of fine tailoring, that's vain and narcissistic - not unlike the ostentatious behavior of a Pharisee. When the Pope is critical of such things, he's not unlike the spiritual director who offers precautions against vain rejoicing in natural and spiritual goods.

That said - it doesn't concern me, but I think it's weird how people get so offended by what the Pope says about these things. Perhaps there is something for them to be learned from it, that is if they feel so insulted by it?  Why do they think the Pope is talking about them?

Some priests seem to want to use the saturno as a sort of assault weapon in reaction to the Pope and the ordinary form of things in the Church. E.g. Fr. Z has teamed up once again with a Catholic supply company to offer saturnos to seminarians and priests, as well as providing information on how to fund the project, urging seminarians to order now. It's a harmless little protest - but it's part of the resistance and rejection of Pope Francis.

Blessed Rolando, pray for us, pray for the Pope.

An account of the martyrdom of Blessed Rolando.

On April 10, 1945, Rolando was taken by a group of Communist insurgents, who forced him to go with them into the woods.

Friday, April 13, 1945, after three days of torture and humiliation, the insurgents brought him to a forest in the village of Piane di Monchio, where there was already a grave dug. It was about 3:00 in the afternoon. They hurled him to the ground and then forced him to kneel on the edge of the grave. Before they killed him, Rolando asked for – and was granted – a moment to pray for his parents. Even then, he reaffirmed his belonging to Christ. The Communist insurgents then murdered him with two shots of the pistol. He was fourteen years old.

Consecrated Virgins, Carthusian Nuns, Armenian and Coptic Nuns - I wonder what they would think when some cleric patronizingly refers to them as 'deaconettes'?

After her solemn profession or perpetual donation,

the nun can, if she wishes, receive the Consecration of Virgins. 

This is a special rite where the Bishop gives the nun not only the veil and ring, 

external signs of an indissoluble union with the divine Spouse, 

but also the stole. This confers on the recipient certain liturgical privileges the most 

significant of them being the proclaiming of the Gospel on certain occasions.

Fr. Z is showing his clericalist-slip again.

He really cuts down women.  Z writes about the big news yesterday that the Pope has "considered establishing a commission to study the issue of the ordination of woman as deaconesses…. (aka deaconettes -it’s easier to pronounce)."

It's easier to pronounce alright.

And then his clericalist-slip gets to the point ....

Talk about a slip ...

Some feminine observations about deaconesses (aka deaconettes).

Although… that brings up an interest thought. WERE the ordination of women to be approved, even though they didn’t have any sacramental ministry or liturgical role in the ancient Church, I bet we would suddenly see a huge increase in Pontifical Masses in the older, traditional rite! I foresee massive expeditures – not for the poor, but for glorious vestments in gold and silk, the sort that haven’t been produced for over a century. It would suddenly be discovered that splendid lace albs are actually notevil after all. I can see now the consultants pouring in from the AME and the Anglicans to offer their help. And pause to consider the fantastic new head gear possibilities! - Z

For more information on the history of deaconesses in the Eastern Church, as well as in Carthusian Monasticism, please visit and read here.

For a better understanding of what the Holy Father said and all that entails, check out Jimmy Akin's article at NCRegister here.

Demeaning women.

Obviously Fr. Z is being facetious - but he's also feeding his anti-papist trolls, as well as creating controversy with those darn liberals who persecuted him in the seminary - especially those religious women in secular dress who may have had something to do with vocations or formation in the archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis.  That is understandable I suppose - but 25 years is a long time to carry a grudge.

Ostensibly Fr. Z attempts to put his readers fears to rest with his posts - but he's also stirring the pot.  Not a few Z-ites and those ultra-traditional types who follow him are not exactly crazy about the role of permanent deacon either - married men in Holy Orders - these developments kinda sets their teeth on edge.

Nothing has even happened yet.

Pope Francis "was asked if he would establish 'an official commission' to study the question of women deacons. 

He replied: 'I accept. It would be useful for the Church to clarify this question. I agree.'" - source

The Holy Father simply agreed with the question and made it clear he a commission to study the possibility would be useful - and people freak out - while on other sites they throw more stones at the Holy Father.

Don't forget: Fr. Z needs your Donations, PayPal alternatives, and for the umpteenth time, (he) his blog needs serious work.

(He) foresees massive expeditures – not for the poor, 

but for glorious vestments in gold and silk, 

the sort that haven’t been produced for over a century.

That's what he said.  I'm sure he's just being facetious of course.

Fr. Z on Fr. Anthony Spadaro

Fr. Anthony Spadaro, S.J.

His introduction of Spadaro notes that the Jesuit is deeply interested in the life of an Italian writer...  Why do you think that was important to note?

Recently Jesuit Antonio Spadaro, who edits La Civiltà Cattolica and who is deeply interested in the life and works of Pier Vittorio Tondelli (HERE), made some observations about the recent Synod of Bishops which has caused eyebrows to rise. - WDTPRS

What is Fr. Z suggesting by that?  He did two posts - or posted the same post twice, the final one an update of the first.  He leads with that particular introduction.  Perhaps the update - double posting - gave me the impression Fr. Z was trying to make some sort of statement about the Jesuit?  Although Spadaro is well known in his own right as the editor of La Civita as well as for his exclusive interview with Pope Francis not long after his election - something which seems to me would be much more newsworthy and significant.

It appears Fr. Z's article is in support of Cardinal Burke, who wrote an article correcting observations and misinformation coming from Spadaro's interpretations concerning the Synod.  In brief:

To give the impression that there is another practice in the “internal forum,” which would permit an individual in an irregular union to have access to the sacraments, is to suggest that the conscience can be in conflict with the truth of the faith. Such a suggestion clearly places priests in an impossible situation, the expectation that they can “open a door” for the penitent, which, in fact, does not exist and cannot exist. - WDTPRS

I think that's fairly straightforward from Cardinal Burke - his article is available online at NCRegister and didn't impress me as needing any more obsequities, polishing or editorializing.  Cardinal Burke speaks clearly and understandably, and always charitably.  Cardinal Pell also made statements in anticipation of the final conclusions forthcoming from Pope Francis.  One is free to speculate and interpret these statements of course, and even clarify erroneous statements - nothing wrong with that.  Likewise, Edward Pentin can make of Vatican news whatever he wants - that's his job.  (The Holy Father had some things to say to journalists on his return flight from Africa he might want to make note of as well.  But I digress.)

The way Fr. Z phrased his introduction made me curious.  What if someone writing about Fr. Z always pointed to his enthusiasm for the Acton Institute and his admiration for Fr. Robert Sirico with embedded links to Sirico's homosexual past?  (I have written about Sirico's past - without linking to Fr. Z of course. My bad for bringing it up again.)

What if every time someone wrote about Cardinal Burke, someone always noted the approval he gave to a transgender woman to make religious vows in a secular institute, only to rescind the permission after a concerned member of the faithful went to the Vatican over the issue?  (That's very public, BTW.  It was once a bit of a local scandal and I too posted on it.  My bad - again.)

Pier Vittorio Tondelli

Just for the record - Pier Vittorio Tondelli was an Italian gay writer who converted and returned to the sacraments not long before he died - he praised the virtue of chastity as a mystic grace.  He's a wonderful example of conversion and reconcilliation for gay/ssa persons seeking to return to the sacraments.  I've written about him many times, and his photo is in my sidebar.  I pray for the repose of his soul, while admiring him for the reformation of his life.

Passive aggressive, suggestive innuendo flies in the face of Christian charity, perhaps even implying the mere association or interest in the life of a former homosexual indicates that person's sexual orientation or interest.  Think I'm over-reacting?  I am ashamed to admit I have done the same in the past.  Nevertheless, it remains a Pewsitter tactic, a Remnant tactic of discrediting or impugning the character of another.  If Fr. Z is doing that, I'm not saying he is, that is too bad for him.

The phrasing, the 'tone' if you will, sounds a bit familiar to me.  What it says to me is that despite what Courage Apostolate promotes, despite what the Catechism teaches, once a homo - always a homo.  You can leave it all behind - but someone - even wearing a collar - is there to remind people of your reputation, or suggest something is wrong with you because you are 'too soft' on gays.  One local priest famously told a group of people - I was among them - that in this archdiocese alone, well over 50% of the clergy are gay.  At the time his inventory included the local ordinary.  This type of jock-seminarian shaming explains why many priests can be less than willing to promote Courage or sign on as spiritual directors.  Years ago when I tried to find priests to help persuade the local ordinary to establish a Courage chapter here, the priests I spoke to sought to preserve their reputations and wouldn't get involved.  They didn't want to be labeled as gay friendly.

These days there are angry priests online, often with an ax to grind.  Perhaps thrown out of 'liberal' seminary, or kicked off the faculty of a Catholic university, they remain angry, often cloaking their bitterness in traditional vestments and clerical-wear they know will goad Novus Ordo bishops.  It's a great way to legally and boldly one-up their 'liberal' superiors and critics.  When they resort to gossip and mudslinging - they are careful to stop just short of public defamation, detraction and calumny.  I do not trust them.  Not. At. All.

Iconoclasm in NYC: Removing the iconography of the Church of Our Saviour

The appropriate 'development of doctrine" (in iconography) at Our Saviour.

Solid Catholic teaching for all to see.

Undoing the Sacred at the Church of Our Saviour in Manhattan.

I call it a travesty.  I thought this type of personality 'marking' was gone - that a new pastor just can't show up and attempt to restore a parish to it's 'former glory' on his own initiative.  In this case, there was no former glory, just a bare canvas; allowing for the Church of Our Saviour to be appointed and given its visual glory by it's former pastor, Fr. George Rutler - financed in part by the donations of faithful parishioners.  As one author noted:

Fr. George Rutler was pastor of Our Saviour from 2001 until he was transferred in 2013 across town to St. Michael’s, a less prominent location. In the twelve years of his service to COS, he proved himself a gracious and effective steward. He reversed the parish’s decline, eliminated its debts, enlarged and revivified the congregation. Most visibly, he renovated the church building with great sensitivity. - MM - First Things

I can't tell you the number of churches I have seen 'renovated' in my lifetime.  By bishops, priests, seminary rectors, Catholic schools, religious superiors, liturgy committees, and so on.  Wonderfully appointed 'sacred spaces' white washed overnight, tabernacles exchanged for a lock box, statues winding up in antique shops, architectural details in architectural antique emporiums, and so on.  I worked in a Catholic institution for several years, and almost every time a new superior was appointed, the statuary in the building changed, memorials were ripped out, and replaced with new shrines.  The changes were made to suit the piety of one individual, or in an attempt to get on board with the latest liturgical trend.  It was subjective demolition, and a means of flaunting authority.

Is this diocesan competitiveness?   Is there some sort of vendetta against the former pastor?

It can be argued - perhaps - that Fr. Rutler did the same thing - until of course you examine the art.  The artist/iconographer Ken Woo is a master iconographer.  His work is of the highest quality, theologically, artistically and architecturally.  The interior of Our Saviour has been embellished, quite literally - divinely.  I know Rutler is perhaps 'disliked' by some - he's not your ordinary priest.  He can be off-putting to the more casual observer, since his manner may strike one as a little pompous.  Indeed, I had a hard time getting used to him when I'd see him on EWTN, but he won me over.  There are very few priests as erudite and doctrinally sound as he is.  Likewise he is an expert on art history and church design.  Until now I didn't know he was responsible for commissioning the exquisite design and iconography of Our Saviour.

Is it appropriate use of funds - spending money to 'fix' what doesn't need fixing?

The current wreck-ovation, vandalism, is handed off as a renovation.  That is unfortunate.   It seems to me it is an iconoclastic desecration and rebuke to faithful, devout Catholics as well as the former pastor.  Again, as Maureen Malarkey notes in her essay at First Things:

The new pastor began his tenure by making liturgical changes and, to the dismay of parishoners, by removing fourteen of the most prominent icons. In a gesture mimicking the iconoclasm of sixteenth century Reformers, the denuded pillars were white washed. On Tuesday we learned that the remaining ones, included the magnificent Pantocrator, are slated for eviction. Why? Is Fr. Robbins acting on his own initiative or at the behest of higher-ups? Certainly, a pastor has both his druthers and his prerogatives. But the severity—the totality—of this de-adornment gives off an odor of reprisal. It is hard not to sense malice at work. Whose? To what end? - MM- First Things

Please read the entire essay here, and at the end are instructions on how to contact the Cardinal, to politely ask that the church may be preserved from further dismantling.  Please be respectful.  I'll repost the address here:  Email: archbishop.dolan@archny.org or by phone: 212.371.1011 Ext 2935. Letters marked “Personal and Confidential” can be sent to His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan, 1011 First Avenue, New York 10022.

Taking the spoils and scattering pearls before swine.

There is much talk of why people are leaving the Church, why men no longer go to Mass.  This is one more reason.  When my Italian parish church was 'renewed', the high altar, communion rails, and central tabernacle were removed - as were the memorial plaques of donors.  Old timer Italians, who donated in the name of their deceased loved ones, donated piously to embellish the church with the most noble of furnishings, the best money could buy, for the honor and glory of God.  They were heartbroken when the marble altar rail was sent to a dump.  Now the church belongs to a Christian fundamentalist group - while another parish church of my youth has been desacralized, sold and is now a mosque.

It's a scandal.

Fr. Robert Robbins is the pastor at Our Saviour,

and the man responsible for the take-down.

He is also rehabbing-renovating his rectory:

Katrina Fernandez is updating on this story - check out her blog here: Help Prevent this Church Wreckovation.  Please avoid the innuendo and ad hominem you'll find in the links and commentary if you choose to respond or contact the Cardinal or Fr. Robbins.  Thanks.