Anyway, just had to let you know that once again you sparked something relative in me in this wonderful post. Loved what you shared about trying to go back and read Doc Savage. I have tried doing something similar when I go back and view a movie I just loved as a child. Something, like my youth, is missing.

Thanks for the lesson on the history of February and Candlemas.
I forgot to bring my candles to Mass this morning.

You are a blessing Fr. Keep the faith as we all keep you in prayer.

I say “ditto” to everything above, specially to what Michael Gallagher wrote. You really have a precious gift of communicating in writing. It is refreshing to read and always thought provoking.

Many blessings on this vital MINISTRY you are doing.

Peace !

Dan Dare’s adversary was the Mekon and I still remember his name even after more than 55 years. He was a green creature with an enormous egg-shaped head and as children we never questioned how he got his t-shirt on!

My own boys also read super-hero comics although by then I was no longer tempted to read them.

I have been waiting to see a comment referring to your own comments on our Catholic heritage and have been surprised that no-one has yet referred to them. You mention so rightly that so many of the symbols and hallmarks of that heritage have been set aside in Catholic culture today and that you do not think we are any better off for the experiment.

I am a regular follower of American blogger Priest, Fr Z, now celebrated for his two expressions ‘Brick by Brick’ – for reclaiming our identity and ‘Say the Black, do the Red’ – with regard to celebrating Mass. It has been a great comfort to find others shared my sadness at the disappearance of so much of our Catholic identity following Vatican II.

It is also good to find out that there are Priests today who are trying to follow what our Holy Father is telling them. Thanks to the internet we are now learning what Vatican II really said and not what the so called ‘Spirit’ of Vatican II put into practice in so many places.

After having ‘clung on’ for many years in my territorial parish out of habit , three years ago I found another local parish where I have rediscovered my Catholic identity . Prior to my first visit I had not sung the Credo for some 40 years and I was ‘bowled over’ at once again being able to sing my Faith in this way and surprised that after all that time the words and music came back to me so naturally. I actually came out from Mass in a daze that day. I was walking on air. It was a Novus Ordo but one which I had never before experienced.. …

I found that once a week the Priest celebrated Mass ad orientem on a week day. Beautiful – but more was to come. A year ago he learnt the TLM or Extraordinary Rite. There are only three churches in my diocese where the TLM is celebrated so I am so grateful that I am able to attend here in what has become for me my new parish. My big sadness is that my sons have never experienced the Mass of ages and having left the Church some years ago I can only pray that one day they may return. The Church has lost two generations and it will take a long time to recover.

Candlemas was celebrated in my new parish as are all the other Feast Days and the rhythm of the Church year has never been more real for me as it is now.

Peace be with you, Father

That was a fun post. I will never look at the PresentationThe Purification/St. Blaise/Candlemas Day/Ground Hog day the same way.

It was great hearing of your past readings and how you came to find them again and all the events around them.

But most I think of our Mother Mary when you wrote of “A Sword shall pierce your heart” How your heart has been pierced. How she must love you!!!! She is “Cause of our Joy”

In His Name,
Patricia G

Greetings in Christ!

I know this is little consolation but I’m sorry for your suffering.

I was led to your site by Ryan A. MacDonald in a comments section of a blog post I did about the deteriorating situation in Boston. (I’ve linked the post). You may be interest in this spotlight story as it unfolds.

I’m anxious to catch up with your story and please know you will be in my prayers.

You wouldn’t believe what they’re up to now.

Sometimes I wonder, although this is really not a very good thought, that perhaps your ministry to us from your jail cell is worth more than if you were free and ministering to those in a parish. Perish that thought. Besides the day of my exoneration, one of the greatest days I hope to see is yours!

And I never did have the experience of reading ‘The Once and Future King’ although it is not too late.

Blessings onyour day, Father Gordon.