Orbis Catholicus Secundus

Ottawa: National War Memorial

2012-03-04T12:49:00.003-08:00

A fitting granite cenotaph with the finest accreted bronze sculptures, unveiled on the eve of war by King George VI in 1939.

Canadian Church Architecture

2012-03-04T12:46:00.001-08:00

A wealth of variety of line and tone logically expressing an interesting subject.

The way it's done as seen in Ottawa.

Pray for the Conversion of the Islamic World

2012-03-04T12:15:00.000-08:00

What is Wrong with This Picture?

2012-03-04T11:34:00.001-08:00

Theology is a science. New Age is not.

Photo taken in Ottawa book shop.

Poem from 1921

2012-03-04T11:29:00.003-08:00

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

-William Butler Yeats

Government and Birth Control/Abortion

2012-03-04T11:25:00.001-08:00

Image from the Internet.

Catholic Culture: Preaching

2012-03-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

The Way It Is by Michael Voris

2012-03-03T21:30:00.002-08:00

Catholic Culture: Men's Conference

2012-03-03T20:23:00.003-08:00

Ministry to men in the Church is extremely important and better late than never. The line of argument that we can't do much to get men more involved is pure cant. God bless the continued efforts of Fr. Bill Baer, the greatest nineteenth century Fourth of July orator I ever met. ;-)

Pro-Life Advertising

2012-03-03T20:04:00.000-08:00

Photo taken inside a bus in Ottawa.

North America's Shrine of Pilgrimage: Oratory of Montreal

2012-03-03T20:01:00.002-08:00

Photo taken at Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

North America's Saint: Saint André of Montreal

2012-03-03T19:54:00.002-08:00

Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

Rome Quotes

2012-03-03T19:25:00.002-08:00

"There has been, then, no social change in American history as sweeping, as potent in the American family life, or as heavily dependent upon an anti-religious bias for its success as the abortion movement. Could it have succeeded without the use of the Catholic card? And has the use of the anti-Catholic strategy fatally flawed the movement? Has its moral stature been dangerously weakened by the use of such a morally detestable tactic, leaving aside for the moment the morality of abortion itself?"

-Dr. Bernard Nathanson, MD

Montreal: North American Centre for Penance

2012-03-03T19:19:00.004-08:00

This photo was taken in the 1940s of pilgrims making their customary way up the steps of the "Oratory" on their knees. Nowhere on the North American continent was there ever such a regular public display of penance by the faithful. Pray this will continue. Photo taken at Canadian Museum of Civilization in Ottawa.

Happy Birthday to Ven. Pius XII!

2012-03-02T20:34:00.000-08:00

Rome Quotes

2012-03-01T10:30:00.001-08:00

"The diocese that defends orthodoxy and fosters good family life produces good Catholic living and many vocations."

-Fr. Paul Marx, OSB

Montreal: St. Joseph's Oratory of Mount Royal

2012-03-01T09:54:00.003-08:00

The Basilica's majestic organ is ranked among the ten most prestigious organs in the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Joseph%27s_Oratory

How to Sing the Gospel at High Mass

2012-02-29T15:15:00.000-08:00

Montreal: Tomb of Saint André Bessette

2012-02-29T13:35:00.003-08:00

It was an honor to attend his canonization in the Vatican in 2010 and to pray at his tomb in Montreal. His place of burial is a special place - a votive chapel containing some 10,000 lights and votive candles.

Read of his holy life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Bessette.

Montreal: Heart of Saint André Bessette

2012-02-29T13:32:00.002-08:00

Montreal: Heart of Saint André Bessette

2012-02-29T13:27:00.002-08:00

North American Capital of Beautiful Churches: Montreal

2012-02-28T13:07:00.011-08:00

Drive through Montreal and you will see the most beautiful little churches on the continent. But be quick about it because many are now closing and being sold or given away to the municipality or others.

We have scourged ourselves through our own use of contraception, sterilization and abortion. And so we become a barren people. Surprised? We reap what we sow.

Where is the Faith? Our vocations? Our empty pews? What of our divorce? And our lack of marriages?

Sin bears no good fruit.

The Good Old Days

2012-02-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

Montreal.

Life-Size Statue of St. André Bessette

2012-02-28T12:55:00.003-08:00

Montreal.

Pius XII Documentary in French

2012-02-28T12:53:00.000-08:00

Montreal.

In Support of MP Stephen Woodworth's Motion

2012-02-28T12:47:00.002-08:00

Canada's definition of a human being:

http://notyetborn.wordpress.com/whats-this-about/

Know the San Jose Articles

2012-02-27T14:00:00.003-08:00

Subversive international campaigns have been falsely claiming that abortion has become a human right and that all governments are duty bound to support it.

Help stop them and support this effort: www.sanjosearticles.com.

Catholic Quebec: the Faith Lives!

2012-02-27T11:44:00.004-08:00

Quebec, the crown jewel of North American Catholicism; then came collapse with the sixties cultural revolution. Consider being a missioner in Quebec. Is this your vocation? There is always great joy in doing the Lord's work.

Catholic Quebec: Dominus Vobiscum Beer

2012-02-27T10:45:00.000-08:00

Catholics Support 40 Days for Life

2012-02-24T14:33:00.003-08:00

Join the revolution of prayer: www.40daysforlife.com.

How to Make a Fundraising Banquet Work

2012-02-24T12:45:00.004-08:00

Attn: pro-life groups, etc: www.banquetsuccess.com.

Extremely Rare Image of the Pope's Office

2012-02-24T12:30:00.002-08:00

This rare image was taken at the end of the reign of Pius XII, by his personal physician, Dr. Galeazzi-Lisi. Mons. Jacques-Paul Martin can be seen with Madre Pascalina, covering her face. Today Pope Benedict has his desk on the other side of the room, facing this wall.

Padre Fiorenzo Angelini at the Bombing of Rome in 1943

2012-02-24T12:22:00.003-08:00

He is still living today, the last Roman cardinal, born in the Vrbs in 1916:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiorenzo_Angelini.

Pope and Future Pope at Bombing of Rome in 1943

2012-02-24T12:20:00.002-08:00

Mons. Montini, later Paulus VI, can be seen on the right.

Pius XII: Jews Hiding at Papal Summer Villa of Castel Gandolfo

2012-02-24T12:18:00.000-08:00

Pius XII: Aid to War Refugees

2012-02-24T12:17:00.000-08:00

Pius XII: War Relief Services

2012-02-24T12:16:00.000-08:00

Statue of Venerable Pius XII in St. Peter's Basilica

2012-02-24T12:13:00.002-08:00

Erected after his passing by the cardinals whom he created.

Heroic Virtue

2012-02-24T12:09:00.001-08:00

50th Anniversary of Papal Document on Latin

2012-02-23T18:41:00.000-08:00

http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/23/a-big-day-for-lovers-of-latin/

When the Pieta' Was Attacked in 1972

2012-02-23T18:18:00.000-08:00

Catholic Slovenia

2012-02-23T17:57:00.002-08:00

Thanks, Rok!

My eyes fill with tears as I hear this.

Reminds me of all the times I heard this tune in the Vatican Basilica, while staring at Petrus Romanus.

Prayer Request

2012-02-23T10:52:00.002-08:00

My grandmother, Gloria Laraine with her mother, Gladys Steele. Please pray for them. Grandma, born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, was a convert to the Catholic Faith in 1945. Her mother, born in Victoria, British Columbia, was of Irish Protestant stock. Both were born into an Irish Protestant family with a very deep-seated anti-Catholic bias.

Anello Tirchio

2012-02-23T10:47:00.003-08:00

During the Council, on Dec. 8, the Pope gave the Council Fathers each a ring such as this. In my humble opinion, ugly and cheap, but after all, it was the sixties.

Worker Pope: Santo Subito

2012-02-23T09:41:00.001-08:00

Leadership

2012-02-23T09:40:00.000-08:00

Cardinals Pacelli and Schuster

2012-02-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

U.S. President Herbert Hoover with Venerable Pius XII

2012-02-23T09:36:00.000-08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Hoover

Signature of a Saint

2012-02-23T09:35:00.000-08:00

Pius XII Stamps from Spain

2012-02-22T14:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Rodolfo!

Catholic Stamps

2012-02-22T14:32:00.000-08:00

That Smile: Santo Subito

2012-02-21T13:44:00.000-08:00

The New Cardinals in 1965: Ma Che Cavallo!

2012-02-21T13:21:00.000-08:00

Here you can see Dante having to bear this deplorable sixties gothic, poor guy.

Meglio la pianeta e basta.

Romani!

2012-02-21T13:19:00.000-08:00

Rome Quotes

2012-02-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

"Psychologically healthy women are never happy about having killed their babies; there is a real post-abortion syndrome."

-Paul Marx, PhD

Bugnini Holy Week

2012-02-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

It was the SSPX which from its earlier years has always been squarely behind the promotion of the "1962" Roman Missal. Perhaps this was not so wise. On this blog I have never referred to the Classical Rite/Usus Antiquior/Gregorian Rite/Tridentine Rite/Extraordinary Form as the "1962 Missale Romanum." Why? Because this Bugnini-ized 1962 edition is problematic thanks to its Holy Week section.

Caption?

2012-02-21T09:35:00.000-08:00

Kneeling for the Papal Blessing

2012-02-21T09:17:00.000-08:00

The Church is the generator and tender of culture. Always kneel for the papal blessing. I do, even though very few maintain this practice today. The "New Order" [Novus Ordo] came along and instructed people to break with this Latin rite tradition. It was a harmful change, that came at a really bad time. The change bought us no points with the modern world. You will see old people in Italy today, from force of habit, still genuflecting when they receive the final blessing at Holy Mass and this is an inspiration.

They Way It Is By Michael Voris

2012-02-18T12:50:00.000-08:00

Hearty Congrats to the New Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church

2012-02-18T12:17:00.000-08:00

Image from the Internet.

What It Was Like Having a Pro-Life President

2012-02-18T12:03:00.000-08:00

Not so long ago, eh?

This is why Christians vote pro-life. This is why Christians do not vote for pro-death politicians.

Full proclamation from the White House:

National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2004
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

As Americans, we are led by the power of our conscience and the history of our country to defend and promote the dignity and rights of all people. Each person, however frail or defenseless, has a place and a purpose in this world. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, we celebrate the gift of life and our commitment to building a society of compassion and humanity.

Today, the principles of human dignity enshrined in the Declaration of Independence - that all persons are created equal and possess the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - continue to guide us. In November, I signed into law the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, reaffirming our commitment to protecting innocent life and to a basic standard of humanity - the duty of the strong to defend the weak. My Administration encourages adoption and supports abstinence education, crisis pregnancy programs, parental notification laws, and other measures to help us continue to build a culture of life. By working together, we will provide hope to the weakest among us and achieve a more compassionate and merciful world.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Sunday, January 18, 2004, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies in our homes and places of worship and to reaffirm our commitment to respecting the life and dignity of every human being.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-eighth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

For Custom Web Design

2012-02-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Consider this fine Catholic lady who does great work: www.envoymedia.ca.

LifeCanada: A National Movement for Life

2012-02-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

A Canadian led educational movement dedicated to advancing the culture of life and ending the greatest human rights abuse of our day, legal abortion.

Celebrate the new website with an online donation: www.lifecanada.org.

"Above all, the common outcry, which is justly made on behalf of human rights - for example, the right to health, to home, to work, to family, to culture - is false and illusory if the right to life, the most basic and fundamental right and the condition for all other personal rights, is not defended with maximum determination."

-John Paul II (Christifideles Laici, 38).

Rome Quotes

2012-02-15T14:30:00.000-08:00

"Most Americans, most Catholics, and (one can safely say) most bishops, priests, and religious are not aware of the abortifacient character of most types of 'contraception'."

-Fr. Paul Marx, OSB

Rome Quotes

2012-02-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

"In every nation pro-lifers want to see stronger leadership from clergy and bishops on life issues. They are really begging for that leadership."

-Archbishop Adam Exner

Santo Subito: Laughter

2012-02-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Listening

2012-02-15T12:15:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Sanctity

2012-02-15T12:13:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Sympathy

2012-02-15T12:11:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Concern

2012-02-15T12:07:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Tenderness

2012-02-15T12:05:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Surprised

2012-02-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Humbled

2012-02-15T12:01:00.000-08:00

Santo Subito: Attentive

2012-02-15T12:00:00.000-08:00

Archbishop Loris Capovilla: Ordained Priest in 1940 and Still Living Today

2012-02-14T12:01:00.000-08:00

Born in 1915, here he can be seen next to Paul in 1963.

He was Pope John's private secretary. He is still living today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loris_Francesco_Capovilla

The Extraordinary Life of Cicognani of the SRE

2012-02-14T11:59:00.001-08:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amleto_Giovanni_Cicognani

Visit his tomb in the crypt of the Roman Basilica of San Clemente.

Notre Dame du Cap, Pray for Us!

2012-02-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

Ottawa.

How It's Done: Scripture Quote on Government Building

2012-02-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

"Great is truth and mighty above all things; it endureth and is always strong; it liveth and conquereth for ever more; the more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel."

Very nice to see this lovely building, overlooking the majestic Ottawa River, a key landmark and recognized symbol of Canada's Capital. Evidently it was here that the pacemaker was invented, as well as the remote-controlled arm used on the space shuttle.

Rome Quotes

2012-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

"If you are not accomplishing anything, the liars and maligners of this world will not attack you, as our Lord reminded all of us. Therein lies our consolation."

-Paul Marx, OSB

Anglican Catholic Liturgy in Canada

2012-02-13T16:15:00.000-08:00

It was a great honor to attend sung High Mass here on Sunday.

Such a lovely community! Nicest clergy and parishioners one could hope for. And such beautiful liturgy.

On April 15 they will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church.

Congrats, guys!

Catholic British Empire

2012-02-13T15:53:00.000-08:00

Michael Coren, from London, seen in Ottawa.

See his site: www.michaelcoren.com.

The Church has need of leaders such as this.

He is a convert. Laus Deo.

World's Largest Skating Rink: Rideau Canal in Ottawa

2012-02-13T15:48:00.000-08:00

Interesting Canadian Church Design in Ottawa

2012-02-13T15:42:00.000-08:00

Memoriam Eorum Retinebimus

2012-02-13T15:39:00.000-08:00

Ottawa.

Classical Education

2012-02-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

www.scottsdaleprep.org

Maryvale Academy of Ottawa

2012-02-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

Great and persevering are the efforts being made by fine Catholic families at large for an education based on authentic religious teaching, of which there is no firmer foundation for the instruction of youth and the maintenance of domestic life and civil polity. Support these efforts: www.maryvaleacademy.ca.

Subscribe to Convivium

2012-02-13T14:21:00.001-08:00

At pontifical universities in Rome, a party is called a convivium (Latin for 'common life').

Convivium is a new Canadian journal to help Christians articulate how the Faith is relevant in the public square.

Support this effort and know that this is a good thing: www.cardus.ca.

How to Write a Pastor's Page

2012-02-13T13:34:00.001-08:00

Rev. Dr. George Welzbacher is one of the very finest priests in the USA.

He has been my mentor for years.

Sitting at table back in the day with he and the famous Fr. Z, I could almost hear the familiar Byzantine shout: "Wisdom, let us be attentive!"

See here and enjoy his pastor's page: http://www.stjstp.org/Pastors_Page.html.

Sto Cvm Catholica Ecclesia

2012-02-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

www.stpeterslist.com

True Ecumenism

2012-02-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Take a look at what Pope Leo had to say in 1896 with his encyclical letter, THE UNITY OF THE CHURCH: www.papalencyclicals.net.

"It is sufficiently known unto you that no small share of Our thoughts and of Our care is devoted to Our endeavor to bring back to the fold, placed under the guardianship of Jesus Christ, the chief Pastor of souls, sheep that have strayed."

-Leo XIII

Rome Quotes

2012-02-12T18:10:00.001-08:00

"Secede not from the Church: for nothing is stronger than the Church. Thy hope is the Church; thy salvation is the Church; thy refuge is the Church. It is higher than the heavens and wider than the earth. It never grows old, but is ever full of vigor. Wherefore holy writ pointing to its strength and stability calls it a mountain."

-Chrysostom

A Favorite Blog by a Catholic Writer

2012-02-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

HJMW is one of the few persons on the planet who understands that tea is to be enjoyed in gorgeous Bone China from England, or not to be enjoyed at all.

Join her for a cup of Canadian Maple in antique Queen Anne: www.anglocath.blogspot.com.

Always Under Siege, But Never Taken

2012-02-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

Image from the Internet.

Ex Dono: Oremus Pro Benefactoribus Nostris!

2012-02-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

Friends:

Just want to thank everybody for following this blog.

And a very special thank you to all those generous souls who over the years have given out of their own pockets to keep this effort going.

This blog has a strong message: have hope.

There is good news. Jesus Christ is Lord of History and life is beautiful.

I just hope this blog has given people, especially recalcitrant Catholics, hope in the Church.

Back to Rome pics soon to follow.

God bless and THANK YOU for your financial stewardship!

Let us pray,

JPSonnen

The God Old Days in St. Peter's Basilica

2012-02-10T14:30:00.000-08:00

Wow, check out this glorious Requiem, on an elevated floor, in the Vatican Baisilica.

Bring Back the Old Ceremony for the Creation of Cardinals

2012-02-10T14:23:00.000-08:00

Simply gorgeous.

In public consistory this was one of the final ceremonies - when the newly created cardinali lay prostrate in front of the altar of the chair in the Vatican Basilica and covered with the cappa magna in an act of penace.

How did Cardinal Ratzinger Get the Name Benedict?

2012-02-10T14:16:00.000-08:00

When in that year of grace 2005 Papa Ratzinger was elected to the throne of Blessed Peter the Apostle, it was out of esteem for the memory of this glorious pope, Papa della Chiesa, that he chose the name "Benedictus" (Benedict).

Be sure to read this gem which he wrote in 1920:

www.papalencyclicals.net.

Know Canon 915

2012-02-10T14:14:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to the Famous Fr. Z!

Where Pius XII Was Raised: Pray that This May Become a Museum

2012-02-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

See the new Web site for the museum:

http://www.pastorangelicus.net/

Now we just need to find an actual location in Rome for the museum.

The hope is that it can be here, where Venerable Pius XII spent his youth, on the Via della Vetrina.

What It was Like Meeting Cardinal Pacelli by Rose Kennedy

2012-02-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

"Cardinal Eugenio Pacelli, who was then the Vatican Secretary of State - and later became Pope Pius XII - was visiting this country and before returning to Rome wanted to consult with President Roosevelt. Bishop (later Cardinal) Spellman, who was a close friend of Cardinal Pacelli's, and Joe worked out an arrangement for him to do so, informally, at Hyde Park, since the United States did not recognize the Vatican as an independent state and had no diplomatic relations with it.

The president invited Joe, as one of the nation's leading Catholic laymen, and me to join Cardinal Pacelli's entourage in New York and ride up to Hyde Park in the private railway car. On the car we were presented to His Eminence. I was struck by his appearance. He was a tall thin man of rather dark and sallow complexion and dark eyes behind rimmed spectacles set on a Roman nose. He was not a handsome man, yet his eyes shone with such intensity and compassion, in his bearing there was an unearthly sense of important purpose that I truly felt I was in the presence of a mortal who was very close to God.

At Hyde Park there were cars waiting to take us the additional few miles to the President's home. This was early November, and it was one of those flawless autumn days, crisp and bright and fair, with the sky blue and most of the colorful foliage still on the trees. Suddenly, about half way there, there were hundreds of children - from local and nearby parochial schools - lining the road, all rosy cheeked and excited and waving their little U.S. and papal flags. The cardinal could have waved and smiled and passed by; but instead that humane and godly man stopped our caravan, left his car and - with the red robes of his cardinalate moving with the shift of the autumn breezes - passed among the children, smiling and patting heads, and with his right hand making the Sign of the Cross or raised in a gesture of benediction. I shall never forget the future Pope Pius XII striding in his robes among those children on a rural roadside near the Hudson River in apple-and-pine tree country in New York State. It was such a happy and spontaneous gesture.

There were quite a few people at the Roosevelt house at Hyde Park. Eleanor Roosevelt was not there. I remember that FDR's mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, was quite an imposing person, a handsome and impressive grande dame, whose appearance and attitude clearly demonstrated that she was in charge of the household.

On the way back to New York City the cardinal left his special railway car and came to take tea with us at our house in Bronxville [the home was later torn down in the 1950s and the lot was subdivided]. It was a most unusual gesture on his part. The visual memory that stays most clearly in my mind is of His Eminence sitting on the sofa in our living room, and of Teddy - then four years old - being deeply interested, and liking him very much, and finally going over to sit on his lap. Whereupon, of course, Teddy got a good, close look at the pectoral cross the cardinal wore on a long chain and was fascinated, took it and gazed at it, and turned it around and gazed some more. The cardinal accepted all that with smiles and complete understanding; he had a wonderful way with little children, and he loved them, I believe, as Jesus did. I have regretted that we didn't have a camera in the house at that time to record the scene. But I have kept that sofa ever since, through many moves and changes, and it is now to this day - along with so many other souvenirs of our lives - in our house at Hyannis Port [she even had a commemorative plaque fixed to the sofa]."

-Times to Remember by Rose Kennedy (her 1974 memoirs).