“Exsúltat gáudio pater Iusti, gáudeat Pater tuus et Mater tua, et exsúltet quæ génuit te.”
“The father of the Just will exult with glee; let Your father and mother have joy; let her who bore You exult.”
The above is the introit (Prov. 23) for the Mass of the Holy Family. How beautiful a prayer for these times!
I have often thought of this fact – that in these late days fathers of families are of such vital importance. One day, several years back, I had a conversation with a young man who had been a student of mine. We were discussing his vocation. He told me he admired the priesthood and had seriously considered if this was his calling; but that ultimately he felt called to be a husband and father. He said this almost mournfully as though he thought he’d be letting me down.
“Son,” I said, “Never feel bad that you truly discerned your calling. If you did so in humility and prayer, trusting your future to the Blessed Mother, you’ve nothing to worry about.”
But he persisted. “I just think I’m not cut out for the priesthood. But at the same time, I always wanted to do something heroic for God.”
And yes, this conversation absolutely took place. I am still friends with the guy, now approaching his 30’s.
Something heroic for God? This is where I had to remind him that being head of a family is indeed an heroic thing; especially in these times.
Our Blessed Mother warned us that the final battle will be over marriage and the family. And who is the rock upon which that family rests but the father? I say this with utlst humility myself as I know how miserably I have failed in my own role as a husband and father. But it is not me, but God Himself who placed man at the head and commanded him to lead, to teach, to fortify his precious wife and children.
Heroic? And more so! Whether it be on the Sunday drive to Mass, giving the example of a man clutching his beads as he prepares to approach the altar of Her Son or the mundane conversations around the kitchen counter (such as right now) where one’s teenage son is trying to explain a movie plot to his father who’s patiently waiting to get back to the blog post he’s writing; the paterfamilias must – MUST – be a constant model of strength and constancy, of charity and good humor, of faith and prayer for the sake of his family. In these days, a good father is needed in order to raise good young men to become good priests.
And a good wife? The model of love and of beauty, of warmth to nurture, of cheer to gladden the heart – these are her hallmarks. I think of three special ladies to me. My mom, my mother-in-law, and my own wife. The last in that list has had her work cut out for her dealing with my antics these past 17 years and never once has she faded in her beauty. No, she’s grown more radiant. I don’t know how she does it. Not once has she failed to be the true heart of our home. Our children are blessed. I am blessed. A good wife and mother is a delight to her husband and a shelter to her children. It’s almost like God made it this way for a reason. Go figure.
Children? See above from Proverbs. Bring joy to your parents. Love the Lord Jesus. Love His Blessed Mother. Be kind to your parents and obey them. Be charitable to your siblings. Live your role in the family and all will be well with you.
On this feast of the Holy Family, I ask God to strengthen me to continue to head this family, that He give my wife to continue to love as beautifully as she does, and that He help our children to honor us in word and deed.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Holy Family, remember us!
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 