by Kevin Tierney
for Rorate Cæli
“Mass of ALL Ages”? Shiny New Lecture Series Rehashes 1970s
Fake interview book with the Pope causes a stir in Italy. Why is it important?
Fake interview with the Pope causes a stir in Italy. Why is it so important?
by Gaetano Masciullo
The Dehonian Editions of Bologna, Italy, recently published a book that was immediately met with criticism and scandal, particularly within the Vatican Curia. Jesuit Antonio Spadaro, Undersecretary at the Dicastery for Culture and Education, is the author of the book Da Francesco a Leone (“From Francis to Leo”). As the title clearly suggests, the aim of the book is to demonstrate complete continuity in governance between Bergoglio and Prevost.
The SSPX Visits Rome - What Now on Consecrations?
The FSSPX officially visits Rome. Bishop consecrations?
by Marcelo González, on X
On August 22, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X will visit Rome on the occasion of the Holy Year. Priests, religious, and faithful from around the world will participate, so a large turnout is expected. This is not the first time that pilgrimages have been made, but it is the first time that the visit has been included, albeit partially, in the official calendar of the Holy See. Partially because it is mentioned only in the Italian-language calendar and not in the other six languages in which it is published.
Society of Saint Pius X Jubilee Pilgrimage Images
The Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) is gathering faithful from around the world in their 2025 Jubilee Rome pilgrimage this week. Here are some images and video:
Pope Requests Day of Fasting and Prayer for Peace on August 22nd
The Octave Day of the Assumption, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Queenship of Mary in the mass of Paul VI), this Friday, has been chosen by Pope Leo XIV as a special day of fasting and prayer for peace in the world.
As announced by him at the end of the General Audience today:
Pope John Paul II also allowed the FSSPX to participate officially in the Jubilee Year of 2000.
JUBILEE YEAR 2000, ROME: PROCESSION OF THE PRIESTLY
SOCIETY OF ST. PIUS X
FROM THE COMMENT SECTION ON ‘CHIESA E POST CONCILIO’ BLOG – 17-8-2025
LEO AND THE RADICALS - Part III in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"
This is the third of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.
Series: The First Year of Leo XIV
III - Leo and the Radical Modernists
[Part I - Leo and the Germans.]
[Part II - Leo and Synodality.]
There were some rumours during the conclave that Prevost could be a candidate more radical than Parolin. So far, Pope Leo has acted completely the opposite. While extremists on both sides try to frame him as one who will consolidate ‘the revolution begun by Francis’ chances of this are decreasing by the day.
100 Days of Leo XIV
One hundred days as Pope
That is how long it has been since the beginning of Prevost's pontificate, which began under the banner of spirituality, verticality, normalization, and reconciliation. To the relief of some and the disappointment of others (which is also a good sign).
Stefano Chiappalone
Nuova Bussola Quotidiana
August 16, 2025
Prayers in Honor of Saint Thomas Aquinas, gathered in one book for the first time
We’ve hit some huge Thomistic anniversaries in recent years:
• in 2023, the 700th of Aquinas’s canonization;
• in 2024, the 750th of his death;
• and in 2025, the 800th of his birth.
Eucharistic Procession down Bayou Teche, Louisiana (Images)
Text from St. Landry Now, with images also sent my a reader - the procession visited eight churches along the Bayou, in St. Landry Parish, deep in Acadian territory in Louisiana (Acadiana):
Against “Liturgical Piety”
By James Baresel
A variety of scholars, thinkers and writers all along the spectrum opinion from the staunchest supporters of the Tridentine Mass to advocates of reforming the reform to those favoring preservation of the status quo to proponents of more radical changes frequently argue the same one point—that whatever they oppose is somehow “not liturgical.”
Praying for Peace on the Feast of the Assumption - Roberto de Mattei
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| Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church National Historic Landmark Kenai, Alaska, 1894 |
On August 15, 2025, the Feast of the Assumption, a historic summit will take place in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Rome: The Virgin of Revelation at Tre Fontane: The Dogma of the Assumption
Just as The Dogma of the Immaculate Conception, proclaimed in 1854 by Pius IX, is connected to the Apparition of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1858, when She identified Herself to Bernadette by saying “I am the Immaculate Conception”, so another apparition is also connected to the proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption.
LEO AND SYNODALITY (A Silent Implosion?) - Part II in the Series "The First Year of Leo XIV"
This is the second of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.
Series: The First Year of Leo XIV
II - LEO AND SYNODALITY
[Part I: Leo and the Germans]
As Pope Leo XIV is approaching the 100 day mark of his pontificate (today is day 97), more and more decisions are coming out which appear indicative of the course of his papacy. Our new Pope is starting to address difficult dilemmas described in Leo XIV: The First 50 Days -- an Analysis.
In this article we outlined many of the challenges Pope Leo faces, quite a few of which are directly related to Francis’ multiyear synodal project plus other reforms and local projects connected to it. Whether to cancel the ecclesial assembly set for 2028 and the process leading up to it, how to deal with local synods in Italy and Ireland, whether to ensure an adequately orthodox African response to the problem of polygamy, and so on.
So far, Pope Leo appears to have alternated between either ensuring a return to orthodoxy behind the scenes, or punting on liberal reforms, not killing them, but leaving their conclusion uncertain. Key curial appointments by Pope Leo will give a more definitive indication of what shape his pontificate will take. Positive patterns do already seem to be slowly emerging, however.
The ecclesial assembly and the implementation of synodality
The Beauty of the Americas in one Pontifical Mass
The Vatican was paying attention as Cardinal Burke pronounced the sermon in the Pontifical Mass celebrated by Archbishop Cordileone, of San Francisco, on August 5th in the shrine so carefully cherished by him, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
“The beauty and solemnity of our worship is especially enhanced by the presence of the Most Reverent Salvatore J. Cordileone, archbishop of San Franciso who is offering the holy sacrifice of the Mass, and by the singing of the Mass of the Americas, the first composition commissioned by the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship.
Bishop Peter Elliott, Friend of Tradition - Rest in Peace
Most Reverend Peter John Elliott
Born 1st October 1943 (Melbourne)
Ordained Priest 19th February 1973
Consecrated Bishop 15th June 2007
Titular Bishop of Manaccenser &
Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of Melbourne (retired 3rd November 2018)
Died 6th August 2025 (Melbourne)
Throughout the world, Catholics (and not a few non-Catholics) are mourning the loss of Bishop Peter J Elliott, retired Auxiliary Bishop of Melbourne, Australia, who died on Wednesday, 6th August.
Gabon and Prague, Africa and Europe Brought Together by the Traditional Latin Mass -- by Rev. Stanislav Přibyl
Gabon in Prague
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Gabon, Major General of the National Gendarmerie, Ms. Brigitte Onkanowa, attended Holy Mass in the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Charlemagne the Emperor in Prague, commonly known to Praguers as Karlov. Since 2016, the church has been a diocesan rectory for celebrations in the traditional Roman rite. The minister was in our Republic on a business trip and expressly wanted to attend the traditional Latin “Tridentine” Mass on Sunday. It was clear that this was her personal preference, as the Catholic Church in her country attracts the faithful mainly because of its widespread celebration of traditional Masses. It turns out that Africans do not necessarily need liturgical dances to affirm their cultural identity, which are almost imposed on them by Europeans as something supposedly authentic that they should exhibit for us.
Newman on Capital Punishment: Consistency is Key in Catholic Doctrine - by Edward Feser
It was announced last week that Pope Leo XIV will be declaring St. John Henry Newman to be a Doctor of the Church. As the Catholic Encyclopedia notes, the Church proclaims someone to be a Doctor on account of “eminent learning” and “a high degree of sanctity.” This combination makes a Doctor an exemplary guide to matters of faith and morals. To be sure, the Doctors are not infallible. Their authority is not as great as that of scripture, the consensus of the Church Fathers, or the definitive statements of the Church’s magisterium. All the same, their authority is considerable. As Aquinas notes, appeal to the authority of the Doctors of the Church is “one that may properly be used” in addressing doctrinal questions, even if such an appeal by itself yields “probable” conclusions rather than incontrovertible ones (Summa Theologiae I.1.8).
The “Messa in Latino” Blog Case and Religious Freedom for Catholics around the World - by Roberto de Mattei
Corrispondenza Romana
August 6, 2025
The recent case of the “Messa in Latino” blog gives us an opportunity to reflect on the religious freedom of Catholics in the world today. Since 2007, Messainlatino.it (MiL) has been one of the most popular and widely read Catholic blogs in the world. On July 11, 2025, with a simple unsigned email and without any warning, the blog was removed from Google's Blogger platform for alleged violation of the “hate speech policy.” MessainLatino defended itself tooth and nail against this abuse, raising awareness in the press, promoting two parliamentary questions in Rome and Strasbourg, and filing an urgent appeal with the Court of Imperia on July 17. At the end of the standoff, on July 23, the blog was restored by Google. MessainLatino thus won the battle, probably emerging stronger than before.
Transfiguration: “Seek Endurance Before Glory”
The Lord taketh chosen witnesses, and in their presence, revealeth His glory. That form of body which He had in common with other men, He so transfigured with light, that His Face did shine as the sun, and His raiment became exceeding white as snow. Of this metamorphosis the chief work was to remove from the hearts of the disciples the stumbling at the Cross. Before their eyes was unveiled the splendour of His hidden majesty, that the lowliness of His freely-chosen suffering might not confound their faith. But none the less was there here laid by the Providence of God a solid foundation for the hope of the Holy Church, whereby the whole body of Christ should know with what a change it is yet to be honoured. The members of that body whose Head hath already been transfigured in light may promise themselves a share in His glory.
Leo and the Germans
This is the first of several analyses written for Rorate by our contributor Serre Verweij on Leo XIV's first year.
Series: The First Year of Leo XIV
I - LEO AND THE GERMANS
by Serre Verweij
for Rorate Caeli
August 1, 2025
While we are waiting for Pope Leo XIV to tip his hand and release his first encyclical, and make his first curial appointments, both sides in the struggle between tradition and modernism keep trying to claim him. The attempts by progressives to claim the Pope as their secret candidate (after the fact) are looking increasingly desperate, however. Specifically, attempts by the German bishops stand out as highly dubious.
McCrery, Architects of Catholic Beauty, chosen to renovate the White House
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| McCrery Architects, New Carmel, Wyoming |
Those familiar with the architectural work of James McCrery know he is among the greats of the 20th and 21st centuries.
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