Catholic Family News

America Claimed for Christ on Our Lady’s Birthday

September 2021 Edition Now Available — Preview HERE

Dear Friends of Catholic Tradition,

The Nativity of the Blessed Mother is the historical event which commenced the Incarnation and Redemption. On this day, the perfect human instrument who would provide the matter for the accomplishment of the mystery of the Hypostatic Union entered the world. This is the founding moment of the life of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Whom the entire world cannot contain, but Who would some years later be contained within her womb.

This date is also important in the life of the United States of America. It could have been the beginning of a history of America as a Catholic country under Christ the King. On September 8, 1565 — fifty-five years before the Pilgrims spotted Plymouth Rock — Pedro Menendez set foot upon American soil at St. Augustine, Florida. He planted the Cross of Christ and claimed all of the land touching it for Christ and Spain. He had arrived in the harbor and sent some of his party ashore but purposely chose to wait for the Nativity of Our Lady to claim the land and have the priest accompanying the expedition offer the first Mass on the continent of North America. Following the Mass of Our Lady, the Spanish gave thanks for their safe arrival and celebrated the first “Thanksgiving” meal with the natives of St. Augustine. Unlike the Pilgrims a generation later, this thanksgiving did not introduce the native population to Protestant heresy and schism but to the Mass of All Ages and the Catholic Faith. Many of the Indians quickly embraced the Faith of Menendez. If history had gone a different direction, this Thanksgiving in St. Augustine could have been the nativity of a Catholic nation.

Yet, we believe this alternate history could become our real future history if, like Pedro Menendez, we believe that under Our Lady’s protection we can win this continent for Christ the King and His royal Mother. That goal to win souls for the Church is at the heart of the mission of Catholic Family News. We seek to promote attachment to the very same Mass offered on the shores of St. Augustine in 1565 and the Faith that Mass expressed. To be sure, we face more hostile “natives” then did Menendez. He faced pagans who were ignorant but of good will. We face neo-pagans who have known but reject the Faith. Nevertheless, we know with certainty that Our Lady can overcome their hardened hearts if we do what we can, consistent with our station in life.

To support this message to make America Catholic again, please consider subscribing, renewing your current subscription, or purchasing a gift subscription for someone you know. Not only does a subscription provide funds necessary to keep CFN going, it also places in someone’s hands inspiring and informative content once a month. In particular, consider buying subscriptions for priests who have been interested in the Traditional Mass and who are likely feeling alone after July 16. Your gift of $42 (for a year of U.S. delivery) may bring into their rectory the article that inspires the priest to remain faithful to the Mass of All Time. Thank you for your prayers and support!

In Christo Rege,

Brian M. McCall
Editor-in-Chief

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Brian McCall

With degrees from Yale University, the University of London, and the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. McCall is a member of the faculty of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mr. McCall became Editor-in-Chief of Catholic Family News in 2018. He is the author of numerous books and articles on law, politics, and Catholic Social Teaching and has made frequent speaking appearances at academic and Catholic conferences on these topics. He and his wife are the parents of six children.

Brian McCall

Avatar photo

With degrees from Yale University, the University of London, and the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. McCall is a member of the faculty of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. Mr. McCall became Editor-in-Chief of Catholic Family News in 2018. He is the author of numerous books and articles on law, politics, and Catholic Social Teaching and has made frequent speaking appearances at academic and Catholic conferences on these topics. He and his wife are the parents of six children.