Monthly Archives: May 2024

One of my favorite things is getting to explore the United States with my wife and kids and to see the things I read about when I was younger.

Yesterday it was St. Augustine, Florida and the Fountain of Youth.

First of all, Ponce, you look like you were quite the guy. Points on the style, too. What the banner does not tell is that you were claiming the land not only for Spain, but also for Christ. Good job, my man.

Second, I’m entirely unsure why there are about 80 random peacocks roaming the grounds here. Florida considers them an invasive species. They’re native to India. I bet they came over for a better life in a nicer call center.

Finally, this evil bitch shows up a lot these days doesn’t she… this was in the gift shop. Out in plain sight. I said a prayer and walked away.

As the title cards from the commercials in the Tonight Show used to say, more to come…

Today is the feast of St. Rita of Cascia (and also an ember day, go figure).

Do I have to tell you all how important this saint is to me? Do a quick search of this site and you will find that every sixth or seventh post is about her – more specifically about asking for her intercession.

If you don’t know about her yet, here’s a brief video.

Today will be (as it always is for my family) a great day. I pray that is just as marvelous for you.

And to all my friends who will be in Philly today at the shrine, don’t forget to get some roses for me (and a cheesesteak from Gino’s)!

I love when God drops something into my lap that I truly wasn’t expecting.

The thing is, when you get on your knees in His presence and declare to Him, Who Is Truth and Who knows all things, that you will do whatever He asks of you, you kind of can’t be too surprised when He “calls you out of your lane” to borrow phraseology from both Harrison Butker and Ann Barnhardt.

For the moment though, I don’t think He would mind if I enjoy the family vacation I’ve already begun.

St. Rita, pray for us!

I am currently traveling with the family by car. We are driving from Pensacola to St. Augustine, FL on Tuesday May 21st.

Would love to assist at a TLM.

My thought is that there might be a retired priest or even an “active” priest along the route (or even not too far off of it) who might be willing to offer Mass with a few stragglers. Will pay a stipend.

Email me at “harvey@harveymillican.com if you might be able to help.

Thanks!

Although I had grown up at the bottom of a large family where I was not usually expected to assist our mother in tasks like changing diapers and holding the baby (since I was essentially the baby (youngest son out of sixteen children so 14th overall), I certainly knew how to do these things. I chalk it up to the wonderful continuity of life that is the hallmark of large, traditional, non-NFP Catholic families. My oldest nephew was born when I was four years-old and the hits just kept on comin’ including my newest great-niece who was born this morning!

When my own son was an infant I remember thinking how easy it was to dress him. I would look at his clothes and find things that resembled the things I would wear (only tinier) and say, “There’s the proper young gentleman!” Right down to the motoring cap on his infant skull, my boy has been dapper since birth.

Girl clothes, however, confuse me. That’s a post in itself.

I have written about this topic before so pay careful attention lest you miss anything this go-round.

Men, for God’s sake, dress like you have a set!

Harrison Butker said it perfectly in his commencement speech at Benedictine last week. “As men, we set the tone for our culture.”

Let’s start with the Sunday Mass. And I realize fully that most of you reading this are probably attending the TLM already. That’s why I’m so baffled that you’ve let the spirit of an obviously degenerate world infect the most basic of your choices in life – how to present yourself to the world to tell it you are better than that.

I stopped my nephew on his way out of Mass recently and asked him, “Where’s your tie?” He said something like, “Oh, I don’t usually wear a tie.” So I said, “Why not?” And he replied, “Do I have to?” I asked him if he owned a tie. He’s 19 years-old. He replied in the affirmative. “Would you wear it to a job interview?” He looked at me like I had two heads. “Of course,” he said.

I shook my head just long enough for him to get the point. You’d wear a necktie to impress someone who will possibly offer you a job you don’t really want and that you probably won’t keep for long but you won’t do it for God Almighty?

Starting to see where I’m going here?

So this fine Pentecost Sunday morning I arose and went to the closet. I pulled out my blue suit. It’s a two-piece. I have been fortunate to have a family member work for Brooks Brothers. Not many can say that but even if you can’t, it’s not the label that counts. I mention this suit because I have exactly two Brooks Brothers suits and they are both the best suits I have so nothing else will do for Sunday Mass. For the record the other is a pinstriped double breasted masterpiece. King Charles is a dolt but I’m glad his sartorial stylings are being copied by tailors these days. The man knows how to dress.

Next I reached for a tie. Yes, it’s Pentecost. I thought a red tie would be a nice touch but I didn’t give it more than a passing thought. I am a man after all. I pulled down a nice, staid and steady red striped tie, knotted it around my neck nice and crisp (Pratt knot if you care), pulled on my jacket and made my way to Mass.

The good news? Most of the men I see at my parish are catching on. Suits that fit well and don’t scream for attention are the order of business.

But there are the outliers. I glanced across and saw a young dad with his son. He is there every week. He is likely ten times holier than I am. That is why I write this post. He needs a gentle push in this regard. His clothing left something to be desired and I can tell he just thought, “This is what all the other young guys are wearing so why not?”

So gentlemen, if you’re reading this, take note on a few things.

Always wear socks. Make sure they are dark, nylon or wool dress socks. Make sure the cuff of your pants breaks just over the top of your equally dark and polished shoes when standing up. Loafers don’t cut it and wearing shoes without socks is bizarre.

Next, I get that you’ve been lifting and haven’t ever skipped leg day. That being said, I don’t care to see your quads bulging through your pants legs like Lou Ferrigno. And those other bits? We get you sired a child but please reserve those for your spouse. It’s early and I haven’t had my coffee.

Speaking of the legs, I wouldn’t have noticed them at all if your jacket hung right. It should drop mid-thigh. None of this is rocket science.

Looking for more tips? Dark, solid colors, a crisp, white shirt, and for heaven’s sake iron everything.

When you leave your house especially on a Sunday morning to head to Mass, you are presenting yourself and your family to God and your fellow man. Take pride. Hold your head high. Keep your shoulders back and… Say it with me;

Be a man.

Summer is coming. You can lighten the colors a bit. And change out your hat from a fedora to a boater or a Panama. I’ll post more tips in the coming weeks.

Today I received an email from a Carmelite nun. Without divulging any of the contents, I will say that she closed by asking me to pray for her community.

In my response to her I marveled at this curious detail.

A Carmelite asked me to pray for her.

Friends. If you don’t know, the Carmelites and other such orders exist to fulfill Christ’s command to “pray without ceasing”.

These women literally spend their time praying for the entire Church. In fact, there’s an old rhyme.

“Every day and every night, on Carmel’s height, someone is always praying for you!”

So I ask you dear readers (who have been so generous in your prayers and in your time reading my silly rantings) please join me in praying for this Carmel.

And please consider sharing the link to the fundraiser I have been promoting for the Herrera family of Texas. So many of you have been so charitable and it is greatly appreciated. They are still aways off from their goal but they can get there. Simply copy the link and share it by text or email with all of your friends.

https://www.givesendgo.com/rachelsfootfusion

God bless you all!