Fr. Z's PODCAzTs

Today’s selection is from Letter 14 by St. Jerome to his friend Heliodorus. Jerome (c. 347–420), born at Stridon on the Dalmatian frontier, was one of the most learned Latin Fathers of the Church. Educated in Rome, he mastered classical rhetoric before turning decisively to ascetic Christianity. After travels in Gaul and the East, he lived as a hermit near Chalcis in Syria, studying Greek and some Hebrew. Ordained a priest at Antioch, he later served in Rome as secretary to Pope Damasus I, who commissioned him to revise the Latin Gospels. Jerome’s broader translation work from Hebrew and Greek produced the Vulgate, the standard Latin Bible of the Western Church for over a millennium. In 386 he settled in Bethlehem, founding monasteries and pursuing scholarship until his death. His commentaries, letters, and polemical writings reveal a formidable philologist and an uncompromising ascetic. Jerome combined classical erudition with biblical rigor, shaping Western exegesis and Latin Christian prose permanently. Jerome wrote Epistula 14 (c. 374) to Heliodorus of Altinum, a veteran soldier, a close friend from their ascetical circle in Aquileia. Jerome had withdrawn to the Syrian desert near Chalcis; Heliodorus had returned home, eventually entering clerical life and later becoming bishop of Altinum. The letter is an exhortation urging Heliodorus to embrace the eremitical ideal fully and not to be drawn back by family ties or worldly attachments. The excerpt I will read from the long and eloquent letter is the most famous passage. Jerome reinterprets material hardship through scriptural inversion. Poverty is reframed by the Beatitudes; toil by athletic imagery; hunger by faith; roughness of body by baptismal washing. Romans 8:18 provides the theological climax, grounding ascetic endurance in eschatological glory.

Today we hear an excerpt from The Pilgrimage or Travels of Egeria. It is the earliest extant graphic account of a Christian pilgrimage. Egeria was a late fourth-century Christian pilgrim, probably from the Iberian Peninsula or southern Gaul, whose travel diary, commonly called the Itinerarium Egeriae, provides an invaluable eyewitness account of the Holy Land between about 381 and 384. Writing in colloquial Latin to a circle of women - her "dear ladies" at home, she described an extended journey through Egypt, Sinai, Palestine, Syria, and Mesopotamia. She visited the monastic communities of the Egyptian desert, then traveled to Mount Sinai, where she ascended the holy mountain associated with Moses. From there she journeyed north to Jerusalem, which became her base for several years. Her detailed descriptions of the liturgy in Jerusalem—especially during Holy Week—constitute one of the earliest and most important sources for the development of the Christian liturgical year.

Voices of the Fathers 03 – Tertullian on attending public games by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

I was recently going through some old books and found a slim volume entitled The Osterley Selection from the Latin Fathers, edited by Joseph Crehan of Heythrop College, was compiled chiefly for seminarians, especially late vocations, at Campion College, Osterley, a Jesuit formation house in the Archdiocese of Westminster that closed in 2004. The 1949 preface praises the great classical authors—Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Virgil—yet insists that Christian writing shows a different kind of beauty. Pagans, it says, wrote with studied grace; Christians with passionate conviction. The volume includes selections from Ambrose and Augustine, Tertullian, Vincent of Lérins, Jerome, and others. It occurred to me that I might offer a podcast of these readings 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. This time we read of the martyrdom of St. Cyprian, 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.

I was recently going through some old books and found a slim volume entitled The Osterley Selection from the Latin Fathers, edited by Joseph Crehan of Heythrop College, was compiled chiefly for seminarians, especially late vocations, at Campion College, Osterley, a Jesuit formation house in the Archdiocese of Westminster that closed in 2004. The 1949 preface praises the great classical authors—Caesar, Cicero, Livy, Virgil—yet insists that Christian writing shows a different kind of beauty. Pagans, it says, wrote with studied grace; Christians with passionate conviction. The volume includes selections from Ambrose and Augustine, Tertullian, Vincent of Lérins, Jerome, and others. 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. The is the Acts of the Scillitan Martyrs (Acta Martyrum Scillitanorum), a brief but exceptionally important document from the late second century. It records the interrogation, sentencing, and execution of a small group of Christians from Scillium in Roman North Africa, tried at Carthage before the proconsul Saturninus in A.D. 180.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today 6 minutes instead of 5. Today we hear from Joseph Ratzinger in the 1st Anniversary of his death. We pray.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today we hear from St. Alphonsus about the the way Baby Jesus slept.  Benedict XVI delves into the manger.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. It's a 7 minute, rather than 5 minute podcast this time. Today, we hear the Christmas Day Sermon by Archbishop Thomas from T.S. Eliot's Murder In The Cathedral.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Pius Parsch sets the stage. St. Augustine gets to the point of their rapid life. A prayer.

It's 27 December 2023 and it is the Wednesday in the Octave of Christmas and the Feast of St John the Evangelist. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News of the World in which years after the Civil War a former confederate officer eeks out a living going about and reading to people who pay a dime a head (about $2.50 today) various newspaper stories from all over. The idea caught my imagination and here I am, a gazetteer. An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:14 - Init 01:17 - Latin Liturgy Newsletter - Why Liturgy Appeals To Men 7:22 - In Coenaculo - Benedictines of Silverstream 14:24 - Dowry - FSSP in England 22:17 - The Guardian - 8 Year-Old Prodigy 24:34 - Regina Coeli Report - SSPX 29:27 - First Things - Priests, Military, Clericalism 37:14 - St. John Eudes - Exit

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today we hear about "Hide and Seek".  Then, Fr. Troadec explains the three gifts to John which Christ gave in His "three states." (Fascinating.)

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Bl. Ildefonso describes the papal doings in the ancient Roman Church.  We hear the account of the martyrdom of Stephen.  Fr. Troadec prays.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, we are sticking with one of the very best for the whole thing.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Schuster on the humility of Joseph. Fulton Sheen reminds us of the ongoing action of Christ. The Collect.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today Bl. Ildefonso describes how our ancient Roman forebears observed this day.  And we hear the last O Antiphon.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Bl. Ildefonso Schuster's on our Marian devotion, even in time of penance. Fulton Sheen smacks us in the face with the truth.

An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:12 - Init - Winter Solstice 02:50 - Latin Liturgy Newsletter - - 03:08 Detroit - Prayer in Protestant Cemeteries - 04:57 FSSP News - 08:20 Floriani - 10:23 Children's Book on Purgatory. New Friends Now and Forever [US HERE -UK HERE] - 12:20 Why Latin? An answer 14:45 - A Christmas Letter from a family 20:23 - The Wanderer - 7 Dec 2023 - Plenary Indulgence for prayer a Nativity Scene 20:17 - The Wanderer 14 Dec - Nigerian priest abducted. - 27:40 - What are the sins that "cry to heaven for vengeance"? 30:20 - Israel 365News - Archeologists find Biblical Sodom and Gomorrah 42:11 - Concealed Carry Magazine - Naked guy in the house 43:50 - Sacred Music Fall 2023 - About Paul VI and "Modern Man" and "New Mass" 50:55 - Exit

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Fr. Troadec drills into the constant cry of "Come!" that we have during Advent. Then a great saint and doctor of the Church prays from the heart.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, St. Paul gives us our marching orders. Fulton Sheen reminds us that we have to trust God. Card. Bacci explains Christ's infant tears.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, St. Alphonsus Liguori reflect on Christ as our redeemer and healer of our souls and then raises his heart to God in prayer. O Deus, ego amo te, Nec amo te ut salves me, Nec quod qui te non diligunt, Æterno igne pereunt.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Card. Bacci describes gratitude and Fr. Troadec describes Mary and what we ought to me. Meek, not pushovers... meek in the proper sense.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, because we are our rites, we go back in time to hear something of how our forebears celebrated in St. Peter's.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, we read from the Imitation of Christ, Benedict Baur talks about the future after confession and Fulton Sheen agrees.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Joseph Ratzinger and Fr. Troadec help us along the Advent road.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Cardinal Bacci talks about resolve and intentions.  Herein, also, a prayer for priests. You will hear from the wonderful nuns of Gower Abbey.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Card. Zen talks about repentance with a view of the future.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, St. Alphonsus talks about how God chose to save us even though He was already in perfect happiness in Himself. Also, the point of Marian dogmas.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, we hear about St Joseph's choice about Mary: Send her away? Fulton Sheen offers sage advice. I share a timely "secret".

It's 10 December 2023 and it is the 2nd Sunday of Advent. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News of the World in which years after the Civil War a former confederate officer eeks out a living going about and reading various newspaper stories from all over to people who pay a dime a head - in today's money about 2.50. The idea caught my imagination and here I am, a gazetteer. An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:13 - Init 00:56 - Le Amis du Monastère 188 from Le Barroux 09:45 - Newsletter Monastère Saint-Benoît 19, Advent 2023 13:12 - Sodality Newsletter - Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane, London 31:38 - SURPRISE! 39:01 - The Wanderer 30 November 2023 - Priest Delivers Twins 43:04 - Sacristan murdered by jihadist in Cadiz-Cueta, Spain 47:40 - Exit

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Fr. Troadec talks about the foundation of our ability to recognize the Messiah.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Fr Alfred Delp speaks from his Nazi prison in 1944. We have a reflection also on the inevitability of death which can be liberating, not oppressive.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, Fr. Troadec about Mary as Virgin of virgins. Joseph Ratzinger and St. Maximillian Kolbe pipe up too.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent and Christmas 2023. Today, St Ambrose and one of his hymns.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2023. Today we have notes about Santa Claus, a vivid description of a crime scene, and a comforting note about our future. We hear a taste of Nicholai Presuli and a baroque surprise at the end.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2023. Today, Joseph Ratzinger speaks about the time and creation full of meaning rather than emptiness. St. Alphonsus Liguori prays about being a sinner and begs for help.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2023. Today Card. Zen talks about time. We hear about Gabriel talking to Daniel and to Zechariah. There's a taste of a Byzantine Chant for Communion: The Lord Hath Sent Deliverance

It's 3 December 2023 and it is the 1st Sunday of Advent, beginning a new liturgical year. Some time ago, I saw a movie called News of the World in which years after the Civil War a former confederate officer ekes out a living going about and reading to people who pay a dime a head various newspaper stories from all over. The idea caught my imagination and here I am, a gazetteer. An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:12 - Init 00:52 - Prison Journal of Card. Pell Vol. 3. 03:34 - Anthony Esolen Tweet 07:31 - Benedictines of Mary, Newsletter 10:55 - The Wanderer 16 November Fr. Brian Harrison on orthodox priests 15:10 - The Wanderer 23 November - After School Satan Club 18:41 - Latin Mass Society Newsletter - December 2023 21:09 - Angelus July/August 2023 - City Under Siege 29:50 - Exit

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2023. Today, Card. Zen reflects and Fr. Z rambles and Bl. Ildefonso amazes and Fulton Sheen... well... shines.

A series of 5 minute daily podcasts for Advent 2022. Today, St. John Henry Newman connects the two ends of the year.  Fr. Z rambles.  Bookend Collects. The Newman reference is Sermon 3 from Sermons Preached on Various Occasions.  It is in Festivals of Faith: Sermons for the Liturgical Year by St. John Henry Newman Edited by Melinda Nielsen published by the Cenacle Press of Silverstream Abbey. You also hear from the beautiful nuns of Gower Abbey.

An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:39 Quick Re-intro 01:21 "Les Amis du Monastère" #187 10:24 QST - December 2023 14:94 Angelus - Nov/Dec 2023 17:42 Bp. Robert Barron on the Synod ("Walking Together") 26:43 Concealed Carry Magazine Nov/Dec 2023 31:33 Matthew 24 33:15 Exit

An audio "gazette" of Catholic things. 00:00 Introduction 05:50 Livy on the Sacred Geese 09:33 The Wanderer 13:35 Crux 24:00 Catholic News Agency 31:34 Silverstream Priory 34:34 Latin Liturgy Association 40:00 Exit 41:10 Memorare in Latin You will hear sung a version of the Memorare in Latin by Neums and Tunes

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Pancras TODAY: Low Sunday or Divine Mercy Sunday? Fr. Troadec holds before our eyes the impatience on the road to Emmaus.

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Peter's in the Vatican TODAY: Divine Mercy or Dominica "in albis"? Fr. Troadec offers superb advice about living day by day.

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Peter's in the Vatican TODAY: We hear and account of the terrifying exorcism of the ancient pagan Pantheon in Rome when Boniface IV consecrated it as a church in honor of Mary of the Martyrs. Bl. Ildefonso remarks on the need not to coast.

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: Santi Dodici Apostoli TODAY: Fr. Troadec drills into two little words

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Peter's in the Vatican TODAY: St. Augustine explains the situation

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Paul's outside-the-walls TODAY: Fr. Troadec on the two complementary aspects of holiness. 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.

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy. Roman Station: St. Peter's in the Vatican TODAY: The true source of happiness

Daily 5 minute podcast to aid your Easter joy! Roman Station: Santa Maria Maggiore TODAY: Fulton Sheen and a surprise.

Daily 5 minute podcast to help you in your Lenten discipline. Roman Station: ... TODAY: Fr. Troadec and Bl. Ildefonso team up