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More Than A Decoration

by Filed Under: Advent, Nativity Leave a Comment

My sons and husband had the honor of putting up a Nativity scene at the CA State Capitol — a beautiful and powerful public witness to the Kingship of Christ.

As Traditional Catholics, we know that Christ is not only the King of our hearts and homes but also the rightful King of society. His reign extends over every government, every law, and every public square, even when the world tries to forget or reject Him.

In a society increasingly hostile to faith and truth, this simple yet profound gesture reminds us that Christ came to save ALL. By publicly proclaiming the mystery of His Incarnation—God made man—we testify that there is no division between faith and the world. Our King desires to reign, not only in churches but in the hearts of nations.

The Nativity isn’t just a decoration; it’s a declaration. It tells a weary world that hope has come, that true peace is found in Christ alone, and that governments and societies flourish when they acknowledge and submit to His rule.

I’m so proud of my boys for embracing this mission. In their hands, hammers and nails became tools to build not just a structure, but a statement of faith. In my husband’s leadership, I see the reflection of St. Joseph—a protector of Christ and His Church, working humbly for the glory of God.

May this Nativity stir hearts, call souls back to Him, and remind all who see it that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

May we never cease proclaiming that Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The First Day of Advent

by Filed Under: 12 December, Advent, Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Happy New Year! May you have a holy and fruitful Advent, preparing your heart and home for the coming of the Christ Child.

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Our Lord, in the Gospel of this day, directs our attention to the end of the world and the Last Judgment. He speaks of the terrible signs which shall then appear in the heavens, when the light of the sun shall grow dim, the moon shall no longer give her light, the stars shall fall from the firmament, and the world shall be covered with more than Egyptian darkness; and of those other signs which shall then appear upon the earth—of the violent disturbance of the sea, of the distress of nations, and the withering away of men through fear.

All these things warn us to enter upon the new Ecclesiastical Year with serious thoughts, and to profit by this season of grace for the advancement of our eternal interests…

In the natural year, spring, summer, autumn, and winter follow each other in visible and endless succession; so, also, the ecclesiastical year revolves in a mysterious orbit, elevating and consecrating the various seasons by its graces and blessings.We are thus doubly warned and invited to sanctify ourselves and to travel onward to our heavenly goal. Yet, for vast numbers, these merciful dispensations of Providence are profitless. Time passes, the years, months, and days rush swiftly by, and there is no growth in virtue, no progress in holiness, to be discerned in their souls.

How many years have you, my brethren, already spent without gaining any thing for eternal life!

Far from increasing in merit, your sins and vices, perhaps, have rendered you utterly bankrupt in divine grace. Most justly, then, does the Apostle exhort us, today, “to cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light;” and, to the end that you profit by his warnings, and those of the present Gospel, I will explain to you that the care for your salvation is:

I. The most necessary;
II. The most sublime; and
III. The sweetest duty of our life.

BishopEhrler 1891

📸 Out youngest placing an earned straw in the manger for baby Jesus

Advent Planner

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The Church commences, on this day, to contemplate the coming of the Redeemer, and with the prophets to long for Him; during the entire season of Advent she unites her prayers with their sighs, in order to awaken in her children also the desire for the grace of the Redeemer; above all to move them to true penance for their sins, because these are the greatest obstacles in the path of that gracious Advent; therefore she prays at the Introit of the day’s Mass: “To Thee, O Lord, have I lifted up my soul: in Thee, O my God, I put my trust; let me not be ashamed: neither let my enemies laugh at me: for none of them that wait on Thee shall be confounded. Show me, O Lord, Thy ways, and teach me Thy paths.” (Ps.XXIVJ

Goffine’s Devout Instruction, Imprimatur 1880

The first Sunday in Advent is December 3 Sunday, December 1 this year. It is the first day of the Ecclesiastical Year and the beginning of the holy season of Advent.

Some observe St. Martin’s Lent as the preparatory period for Advent as was once done. It is considered a time to prepare for the preparatory period of Advent in which we prepare for the ultimate feast.

Whatever date you opt to begin your Advent observance, having a plan and set resources can be very helpful. Our Advent planner can be used as a stand-alone Advent resource, as a framework for you to lay out your own Advent program, or as a combination of both.

This Advent Planner includes printables that will help you keep track of your resolutions and plan throughout the Advent season, a “mini Lent.” I’ve also included the basic framework of our very simple Family Advent Plans with links to meditations, audio, Jesse Tree reflections, read-aloud stories for children, and videos.

This planner uses the Liturgical Calendar based on the most traditional form of the Roman Rite, before changes of 1950, 1956, 1960, and 1962. It corresponds to the fully traditional version of the Missale Romanum and the Breviarium Romanum in four volumes.

This resource is a labor of love. But well worth it as it is something that we use in our home to help us live out the Faith and tend to our Rule of Life within the Advent season.

May we restore our hearts & our children to Christ through every means we can.

In Christo Rege,

Get Your Advent Planner Now

ADVENT PLANNER Includes:

  • Advent Plan to document your resolutions – 2 pgs
  • Advent Examination for the – 1 pg
  • Advent Weekly Log to track resolutions – 4 pgs
  • Liturgical Planner | Advent Feastday Planner – printed and used to help you plan for holy days & feastdays in the Advent season – 1 pg
  • Advent & Christmas Liturgical Calendar – list form for easy reference.  2 pgs – 4 pages per sheet
  • Advent Calendar – blank to use as needed – 2 pgs
  • Family Advent Plans – This is what we use for a reference for our basic Advent plans – helping to ensure that we follow the liturgical calendar and tend to our devotions while keeping things in order.  It includes links to FREE meditations, audio, Jesse Tree reflections, and read-aloud stories & videos for children. – 15 pgs

Advent Joy

by Filed Under: Advent Leave a Comment

A sweet treat in late Advent for my children.

This last week of Advent has taken on a different outward look for us since having a birthday boy on Dec 20. But despite the external festivities we continue to go deeper into Advent, spiritually. We trust it’s how God desires it for our family and give thanks for it all.

#traditionalcatholicfamily #traditionalcatholic #joyfilledfamilyadvent #catholicadvent

New Traditions

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Today, two of the boys woke up early with Dad to assist at Holy Mass and prepare the church for Christmas. They’ve yet to sleep in since we stopped lessons.

Last week they set up the Nativity at the State Capital. It is planned to stay up until Epiphany.

I’m loving the new traditions that we’ve taken on — all at the lead of my husband.

The little boys and I began to clean the house while the big girls took a well deserved outing.

Our oldest son picked out a tree from the free-lot and all were eager to get it up.

We continued to clean like all other times — mixed with bouts of rough housing.

The silence is almost never to my desire. Yet, I count it all a joy and trust that we are right where we ought to be.

We’re willing & ready to offer these last hours to go deeper into our Journey to Bethlehem, preparing for the Christ Child.

Tomorrow will bring more silence and the fast & abstinence is sure to be felt more than ever. 🙏🏼

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Remember Thy apostles and Thy martyrs; remember Thy saints who have founded Churches, and honoured them by their virtues and miracles; remember Thy bride the Church, and support her during her earthly pilgrimage, until the number of Thy elect is filled up.

She longs to possess Thee in the eternal light of the vision; but Thou hast given her a heart with such mother’s love, that she will not leave her children as long as there is one to save, nor cease to save until that day come when there shall no more be a militant Church, but the one sole triumphant Church, inebriated with the enjoyment of the sight and embraces of her God.

But that last day has not yet come, O Jesus! there is yet time for Thee to descend from heaven and visit Thy vineyard.

Restore to the branches of the tree the leaves which have fallen in the storm of iniquity.

Let this tree of Thy predilection bud forth new branches; and the old ones, which have separated from it, and have seemed to force Thy justice to cast them in the fire, let them be once more grafted on the parent trunk, so torn by their rupture from her.

Come, O Jesus, for the sake of Thy Church; she is dearer to Thee than was the Jerusalem of old. #domprospergueranger

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