Episode 2856: The Feast of the Holy Family: A Model for Catholic Families - Morning Episode

Episode 449: The Holy Family

Episode 1778: St. Arcadius
St. Benedict Biscop
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Rosary
Word of the Day
Liturgical Calendar & Seasons Fatima Prayers Prayers taught by Our Lady at Fatima.
“Oh my Jesus”
Prayer at Fatima from the Angel #1 My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love Thee. I ask pardon for all those who do not believe in Thee, do not adore Thee, do not hope in Thee, and do not love Thee.
Prayer at Fatima from the Angel #2 Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, I adore Thee profoundly and I offer Thee the most Precious Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of the same Son Jesus Christ, present in the Tabernacles of the world, in reparation for all the sacrileges, outrages and indifferences by which He Himself is offended. And by the infinite merits of His Most Sacred Heart and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I beg of Thee the conversion of poor sinners.
Quick word about Bishop Scott McCaig who was on “Pints with Acquinas”
Bishop Scott McCaig, born on December 12, 1965, in Duncan, British Columbia, is a Canadian Roman Catholic bishop currently serving as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada.

Raised in Kamloops, British Columbia, McCaig was baptized in the Presbyterian tradition and later explored Anglicanism. As a young adult, he underwent a profound spiritual journey that led him to the Catholic faith. His studies of early Church Fathers and Catholic teachings culminated in his full communion with the Catholic Church in 1987.

Following his conversion, McCaig became active in youth ministry, notably serving with NET Youth Ministries from 1987 to 1988. In 1989, he joined the Companions of the Cross, a Society of Apostolic Life based in Ottawa. He pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History from Carleton University, a Bachelor’s degree in Sacred Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Paul University in Ottawa, and a Master’s degree in Divinity from St. Augustine’s Seminary and the University of Toronto.

Ordained to the priesthood in 1995 by Archbishop Marcel Gervais, McCaig served in various capacities, including associate pastor, parish administrator, hospital chaplain, and Director of Formation for the Companions of the Cross from 2000 to 2006. He was elected General Superior of the Companions in 2006 and re-elected in 2012, serving until 2016.

On April 8, 2016, Pope Francis appointed McCaig as the Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Canada, and he was consecrated on May 31, 2016. In this role, he provides pastoral care to Roman Catholics serving in the Canadian Armed Forces and their families.

Beyond his episcopal duties, Bishop McCaig has been involved in missionary outreach across various countries and serves on the boards of Renewal Ministries Canada and Catholic Christian Outreach. He is also co-chaplain to the Spiritual Motherhood of Priests Apostolate in Ottawa.

Known for his dynamic preaching and deep commitment to evangelization, Bishop McCaig continues to inspire many through his ministry and dedication to the Church.

Here is a breakdown of Bishop Scott McCaig's key points from his discussion "Where Trads Can Go Wrong" regarding traditional Catholicism:

1. Value of Tradition
He acknowledges the richness and beauty of traditional practices, including the Traditional Latin Mass, and their vital role in preserving the faith. He emphasizes that tradition serves as a connection to the Church's heritage and a source of spiritual nourishment.

2. Potential Pitfalls in Traditionalist Communities

Rigid Attitudes: A tendency to overly idealize the past and dismiss legitimate developments in the Church.

Division: An "us vs. them" mentality that may arise, fostering conflict with Catholics who follow the Novus Ordo or other modern expressions of the faith.

Judgmentalism: The danger of spiritual pride and assuming moral or theological superiority over others.

3. Unity in the Church
Bishop McCaig stresses that traditional Catholicism must remain within the unity of the Church under the pope and bishops.
He calls for a spirit of charity and collaboration among Catholics of different liturgical preferences.

4. Openness to the Holy Spirit
While respecting tradition, he encourages openness to the Holy Spirit's work in guiding the Church today.
He warns against rejecting all changes or developments outright, as it can lead to a static view of faith.

5. Evangelization and Mission
Traditional Catholic practices should inspire evangelization, not just preservation. He advocates for sharing the treasures of the faith with others in a way that draws people into the Church rather than alienating them.

6. Balanced Approach
Bishop McCaig urges traditional Catholics to integrate reverence for tradition with a humble and obedient attitude toward Church authority. He emphasizes the importance of discernment in distinguishing between unchanging truths and mutable practices.

7. Caution Against Schism

He strongly discourages any moves toward schism, warning that separation from the Church leads away from Christ’s will for unity.

He highlights the dangers of aligning with groups or ideologies that reject the pope or Magisterium outright.
This approach reflects Bishop McCaig’s desire to maintain a balance between honoring the past and living out the faith authentically in the present, with a focus on unity, humility, and evangelization.

Big fan of Ralph Martin

"The Feast of the Holy Family: A Model for Christian Families"
Opening Remarks
Welcome to today’s episode, where we reflect on the Feast of the Holy Family, as celebrated in the Traditional Catholic liturgical calendar. This beautiful feast invites us to meditate on the sanctity of family life and the virtues embodied by Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As Pope Leo XIII once said:
"Nothing truly can be more salutary or efficacious for Christian families to meditate upon than the example of this Holy Family, which embraces the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues."
The Holy Family shows us the way to live in holiness, unity, and love. Today, we’ll dive into the wisdom of this feast, drawing from the Epistle, Gospel, and the profound insights of saints and popes.
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Segment 1: Lessons from the Epistle
The Epistle for the Feast of the Holy Family, taken from Colossians 3:12-17, is a blueprint for how Christian families should live. St. Paul calls us to clothe ourselves with virtues that reflect our identity as God’s chosen ones:
"Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience."
Humility and patience are central to family life. Without them, misunderstandings and conflicts can fracture the unity that God calls families to embody. This humility is exemplified perfectly in the Holy Family. St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us:
"What can Jesus, Mary, and Joseph teach us if not humility, obedience, and a love that is willing to sacrifice all for God and neighbor?"
In our families, we must learn to forgive as Christ forgives, bearing with one another in charity, which St. Paul describes as the "bond of perfection." When families live in this spirit, they become domestic churches, where Christ reigns as King.
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Segment 2: Insights from the Gospel
The Gospel from Luke 2:42-52 recounts the finding of the child Jesus in the temple. This passage offers us a profound meditation on obedience and love within the family. Mary and Joseph’s sorrow in seeking Jesus highlights the challenges and sacrifices of parenthood, while Jesus’ response reveals His divine mission:
"Did you not know, that I must be about My Father's business?"
Despite His divine mission, Jesus humbly submits to Mary and Joseph, demonstrating the virtue of obedience. As the Gospel tells us:
"He went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject to them."
This submission was not out of necessity but out of love. How often do we see families today struggling with the concept of obedience? Yet, obedience within the family is not about domination; it is about mutual respect, love, and fulfilling God’s will.
Mary, in her wisdom, kept these words in her heart, meditating on the mysteries of God’s plan. Her example teaches parents the importance of prayerful reflection and trust in God, even when His plans are not immediately clear.
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Segment 3: The Call to Imitate the Holy Family
The Holy Family is a model for all families. Pope Leo XIII emphasizes that their example encompasses "the perfection and completeness of all domestic virtues." In a time when the sanctity of family life is under attack, the Holy Family stands as a beacon of hope.
In our homes, we are called to emulate their virtues:
• Humility: Recognizing that all we have is a gift from God.
• Obedience: Submitting to God’s will and respecting the rightful authority within the family.
• Sacrificial Love: Prioritizing the good of others over our own desires.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux reminds us that the virtues of the Holy Family humility, obedience, and sacrificial love are the foundation of holiness. When families live by these virtues, they become sanctuaries of God’s presence, radiating His peace and love to the world.
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Conclusion Prayer
Let us conclude with a prayer, asking for the intercession of the Holy Family to help us imitate their virtues in our own families:
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of the Holy Family, a perfect model of humility, obedience, and love. Through their intercession, grant that our families may become true domestic churches, reflecting Your glory and bringing Your peace to the world. Help us to clothe ourselves with the virtues of mercy, kindness, patience, and charity, so that we may live in unity and holiness.
Bless all parents, that they may lead their children in faith and wisdom. Bless all children, that they may grow in obedience and grace. And bless all families, that they may remain united in Your love, no matter the trials they face. Through the intercession of Mary and Joseph, may we always seek to do Your will, as Jesus did, and may we one day be united with You in the eternal family of heaven.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May the Holy Family inspire you to live with greater humility, obedience, and love in your own families. God bless you!