My post yesterday about a TLM in Northern New Jersey elicited some great feedback. If even only one person gets to go, that’s great news.
Longtime reader AP wrote in with another super secret TLM location in northern NJ. This one’s in Bergen County and only on Sundays. But if you’re inclined, drop me an email and I’ll gladly direct you!
God be praised!
This one is a little “micro”casting as they say, although no one says that.
I have recently learned of a TLM being offered daily in a small chapel in northern New Jersey. If any of you live up that way and are interested, drop me an email and I’ll happily direct you. The priest is open to more attendees than the one current young dad who stops in on his way to work every day.
Hey, we have to share these thing s when we hear of them.
Why not consider joining the novena prayers to St. Rita of Cascia, patron not only of impossible causes but also of family peace?
My special patron has been so kind to me over the years. I offer my ongoing novena prayers for your intentions and for peace in all of our families.
https://www.saintritashrine.org/novena-prayers
“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!
There is little doubt that the inhabitants of the city of Los Angeles and its environs have little in common with yours truly either from a cultural or philosophical point of view.
That being said, at this moment, you are all in my deepest prayers. At this moment it really doesn’t matter whether we agree on much. Human nature inscribed in each of us that we believe in the right of self preservation. Protecting one’s life and one’s family is a primal drive.
Friends, I empathize with you on a very personal level. When I was four years-old, my family lost everything in a fire. The memories of that night are seared into my mind in all of their horrific tones.
For those who have not experienced this fate, living through a conflagration is truly hell on earth.
We lost people. Three of my siblings including my twin sister never made it out of that night.
To the people affected by this fire: I love you and I pray for you. Watching the videos of the devastation has been traumatizing but that’s because I know what you are experiencing.
May God spare you all!
St. Florian, patron of firemen, pray for us!
Our Lady, Queen of the Angels, pray for us!
Not quite the 6-9” we were promised proving once again that forecasting weather in Texas is futile.
… but snow in Texas? Yep, it happens. I’ll try to get some pics up later. Meanwhile, I’ll be by my fake fireplace sipping my very real hot chocolate.
Our Lady of the Snows, pray for us!
Harvey Millican's Blog: Musings of a Trad Dad 