First, most news is fake and gay. I worked in that industry. Half the time I couldn’t tell if there was a left wing bias or a stupidity bias.
Second, I know why I homeschool my kids. I know why, when I was a vice principal of a K-12 school in Texas, I carried. It’s legal and I was pledged to protect those kids.
I don’t know what happened there today anymore than anyone else. My heart breaks for any parent who loses a kid. In my family, we’ve been there before. But I also know that the usual suspects will turn this into a political football.
I can say there were moments when I was teaching where I wondered about this or that man walking down the street near campus. The usual “man things” went through my brain. How could I take him down if he breached the perimeter? Is today the day I’m laying it down for the kids? Those moments were rare but they did exist.
And those moments were one of many factors why I left that world behind. NOTHING is more important to me than my kids. I have a solemn task from God Himself to keep them safe. That means their bodily integrity as well as their intellectual development and above all, their immortal souls.
Some will say, “Good for you but I can’t teach.” If you want it, God will make it possible. Reach out to me if you have questions.
Following the announcement late last week that Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, Ordinary of San Francisco, had prohibited House Speaker and baby murder cheerleader Nancy Pelosi from receiving the Holy Eucharist in his diocese we get the following from Washington.
Keep in mind that Wilton Cardinal Gregory is the Ordinary of the see in which Pelosi spends a majority of her time attempting to legislate the wanton and wholesale slaughter of millions of babies.
Meanwhile, back in September Crux reported the following.
Holy Wilton doesn’t think it is his place to “police” the Eucharist. Quite odd coming from the same prelates who think nothing of bandying about a phrase like “Traditiones Custodes” in reference to the venerable mass of the ages. They can “guard” Bugnini’s rite at all costs but not guard Our Lord Himself. Huh.
Seems our friend in red needs some help. So let me spell it out for him. I was a teacher. This should be easy.
1.) Eminence, do you renounce Satan and all his works and empty promises? You do? Great! In case you didn’t know, it is he who demands child sacrifice. He does this because he hates God. That brings us to question number 2.
2.) Eminence, do you believe in God the Father Almighty… and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son… and in His Holy Catholic Church? What’s that? Same?! Wow! This is easier than I thought. So the thing is, Jesus Christ established His Church for the salvation of souls not to play nice with worldly politicians. He left His Apostles (present-day you) in charge of things specifically to guard His Body; not as the Roman soldiers outside the tomb but as dispensatores mysteriorum Dei. It is your duty to protect Him at all costs and to charitably prevent manifest public sinners from dying in a state of unrepentant mortal sin. Eating the Body of the Lord unto one’s condemnation would be a bad thing for Mrs. Speaker, wouldn’t it?
Ok, last one. You’re doing great so far. I’m getting my star stickers out.
3.) Eminence, do you really truly super-duper promise you’re answering truthfully? Come on, man. Don’t front with me. You what? You’re not going to say any more on the subject? But you were batting a thousand. Man, OK… We’ll have to re-enroll you for next term. But don’t worry. You’re young. You’ll get this.
Oh wait a minute. I’ve just been informed that Holy Wilton is not exactly young and that apparently any of us can face judgment any day. Wow. That sucks.
Folks, pray for these men. If I come across as pugnacious it’s because I learned it from my dad. Not unlike the early Christians who stood up in their churches and told their Arian bishops, “You’re wrong!” he was known to take Fr. aside in the narthex after mass and tell him his homily was “bullsh*t”. He did this, by the way, in his three piece suit while reaching into his jacket pocket to take out his pipe, tobacco pouch, and Zippo (just to give you an idea of how stylish and in command he was). We must testify to the Truth at all times. What Archbishop Cordileone did last week was long overdue but necessary and yes, charitable. What Cardinal Gregory is doing? Well, if you’re reading this you probably feel as I do that decades of bishops refusing to call out anyone for this sin is decades too long. Pray your rosaries. Pray them more. Pray for the shepherds.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
Late last night we made it to our first destination. We had traveled here to attend the baptism of a friend’s first grandchild and yours truly was asked to be godfather. This is a task I take quite seriously and an honor for me. It doesn’t hurt that my precious baby goddaughter is adorable beyond belief. I now have fifteen godchildren.
The reason I did not specify where this took place is because sometimes I think we need to stay a little below the radar. Many of you will understand. And the point is larger than all that. Let me explain…
Before we set out on this journey I had asked Blessed Mother to obtain for me the grace of being able to come to daily Latin mass every day of our travels. finding a TLM anywhere can be a challenge, especially when one is driving cross-country. But I know many Catholics who won’t even search for the Novus Ordo when they go on vacation for even the Sunday mass and we must pray for them. I taught the faith for many years. A lot of Catholic school alums weren’t even taught the basics of obligation let alone the penalty of mortal sin. I never assume that anyone else has been given to know what I have or that I know half as much as the man next to me. Pray and beg the Lord for an increase in charity and humility.
I consecrated to Mary control of my exterior goods. She is a loving mother and she will take care of her children. So far, she has delivered.
Today we found ourselves invited to mass in a chapel at an institution of higher learning. The priest was a young monk who had graduated several years back. He belongs to a monastery that only says the vetus ordo. And… there’s my TLM and my first blessing from a new priest! Toss in a new Catholic in the baptism and this fifth Sunday after Easter was most definitely a happy day and I am a happy man.
Tomorrow’s mass is already scheduled.
God bless us and the Virgin protect us! Our Lady of Revelation, pray for us.
PS: Today was also the feast of my favorite saint, St. Rita of Cascia. I met my wife on the ninth day of a novena to this saint of the impossible. Turn to her with your impossible causes. St. Rita, we love you. Pray for us!
Woke up this morning in Lexington, KY. This is horse country, friends, and didn’t see a single horse. What I did see is a Latin mass in another church named for St Francis de Sales.
By the way, de Sales is the patron of writers. I’m sensing a pattern that the patron of writers is following this writer around.
This parish, in horse country, in Lexington, KY, named for the patron of writers, is run by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Side note: YouTuber Anthony Stine of “Return to Tradition” continually refers to the FSSP as the “Fraternal Society of St. Peter”. Wrong. It’s from the Latin for their name: (Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri – Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter). But I’ll allow it since I generally like his daily content. What’s interesting here is that the “parish” is more of a Latin mass mission run out of a Novus Ordo parish. It was a little jarring that there was a Cranmer table set up between the priest and me. What can you do?…
Most interesting of all was what happened after mass. I had just stepped outside when a man in his 20’s approached me. “Sir?” he said. “Can I ask you a question?” I love questions. I have kids. I’m game. “This is my very first Latin mass. I noticed you making the sign of the cross a few times and kneeling and standing… How do you know when to do that?”
Austere, yes, but Godly in its simplicity.
I saw he had the infamous “red book” in his hand. I asked him a few questions. Turns out this was his very first Latin mass ever. He had been “looking for something more traditional” after years of attending NO masses. My advice, which isn’t too important; was to simply keep coming. “Give it a month,” I said. “You’ll have it down in no time. In fact, put the book down and just pray. Watch the priest. You’ll figure it out.”
What I loved about this exchange is the hope that even one man is here. One man who wanted something more. He’s here. And I bet he’s in your TLM parish too. Get to know him. Show him what to do. Build it back up.
Man oh man… This second day of our drive across America did not disappoint. We woke up in our hotel room on a high-up floor overlooking the Arch and the Mississippi. Been to the top of the Arch a few times. It’s cool but that’s not why we stopped here last night. Our primary purposes in staying in STL was to visit a particular church.
St. Francis de Sales is an oratory run by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) just a few minutes from the downtown hub. I believe this was at one time a diocesan parish that was handed over to the Institute because attendance had fallen and the parish was unable to maintain the upkeep. Big shock. Attendance was down in a rite where the mass is a community meal.
What did we walk in on this morning? I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves; but if you’ve ever wondered why older churches have side altars, this morning would have satiated your curiosity. There were, in fact, two masses taking place on the left-hand side of the church when we walked up the aisle. The air of silence was punctured by the whispered “Nobis quoque peccatoribus” of a priest and the slight clang of a bell from his server.
My old friend, St. Rita seems to follow me wherever I go. And thanks be to God for that!
I was overcome by hope and joy and contrition and faith and charity. I was overwhelmed by beauty. This was a church built by people for whom no expense should be spared for God’s house. They wanted a fitting and glorious church for the sacrifice. They wanted to recreate as best they could on earth the glory of God in His heaven. And they sure got it. And today, seeing it used as it should be? Well, the psalm rings true.
“Oh Lord I have loved the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy glory dwelleth.”
Much thanks and love to the priests of the Institute for their masses, prayers, and stewardship of this parish. If you happen to be in St. Louis, known as the “Rome of the West” for churches just like this that dot the landscape and skyline, do stop in and light a candle. Stay for mass. Offer a prayer for the Church and the restoration of the Roman mass in all places.
This morning I took my family to early mass before we headed out on another cross-country road trip. I had found out a few days ago that today is the ordination anniversary of one of our parish priests and so I offered a few more prayers for this good man as he was offering the spotless Body of my Lord for me.
Pray for your priests. I suspect that many of my readers at this point likely attend a parish staffed by priests of the former Ecclesia Dei or by the SSPX. These priests in particular need our prayers. They need our support on a human level as well. The devil rages at the men configured to Christ. I can only imagine how magnified and focused that rage is toward a priest offering a mass that is so visibly a sacrifice. Now imagine you have priests who preach the Catholic faith and exhort parishioners to advance daily in sanctity. Pray for your priests.
My Three Thoughts:
1). I have picked up my very own correspondent in the Eternal City! I hope to feature occasional reporting from this person in the coming weeks.
2). By day’s end, I will be bunked down in the “Rome of the West”. Pictures tomorrow. St. Louis definitely has some beautiful churches.
3.) A huge thanks to Mr. Frank Walker of Canon212 for linking my last post at the top of his page. That was a happy surprise and an honor for me. For anyone who came upon this blog from his link, thank you for reading and come back any time! I’ll try not to disappoint. And please say a prayer for me. I could always use a Memorare or two.
Over on Frank Walker’s Canon212 is a link to a video in which Fr. Gerald Murray, the canon lawyer who frequently appears on Raymond Arroyo’s EWTN program tells us how he feels about Walker’s use of the term “Thugcardinal”. Murray, who is generally on-point in his analyses of the current situation in the Church and for whom I generally have great respect, is of the opinion that the use of such terms are unseemly and “ridiculous”.
Here we go…
1: I use the word ridiculous as a dad all the time. “Kids, that song is ridiculous.” “Son, that haircut is ridiculous.” “Daughter, you’re 12, perms are both gross and ridiculous. Knock it off.” Walker, who needs no defense from little ol’ me, is being anything but ridiculous here. Calling cardinals who act like thugs “thugcardinals” is truthful. And if he’s arguing implicitly that it doesn’t keep in the mold of how Our Lord would speak or act, did He not call the Pharisees a “brood of vipers”? But at least they weren’t “thugpharisees” so I guess it’s cool.
2: Fr. Murray further states that the pope should never be called “thugpope”. Agreed. Leave Benedict alone. For Antipope Bergoglio, I prefer a term Ann Barnhardt has used – “Likely False Prophet Forerunner of the Antichrist”. It’s probably more fitting. But he’s a thug too. He was a thug when he said that women (like my mother, a mom of 16) was “breeding like a rabbit”. He was a thug when said the Bugnini mass was the “sole expression of the Roman Rite”. And he’ll likely appear before his particular judgment as a thug. Pray for this thug. Every day. And speaking of his judgment…
3: I actually have a source who tells me that Bergoglio is facing two uphill battles at the moment. I am informed by this very reliable source that the Jesuit has been diagnosed with both intestinal cancer and a serious knee infection. This isn’t really news. The knee thing has been obvious for some time and more visible now with the wheelchair. The cancer? Eh… we shall see. Rumors of pancreatic cancer have swirled ever since last summer and the hush-hush trip to the hospital. The only thing new here is the specific type of cancer. Either way, see above about praying for this man.
4: How on earth did they find Cardinal Ralph de Bricassart to conduct that interview? See for yourself here.
Folks, I got off all that social media nonsense a while ago. Sorry but I'm not on Twitbook, Facepalm, YouHu, WingWang or any of the others. Maybe an event will happen to make me change my mind like Peter and Paul coming down with flaming swords and commanding it be so. Until then, read the blog and if you feel a comment is in order or you feel like sharing a tip or suggestion for a topic, email me at harvey@harveymillican.com.
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 