The usual congregation for the TLM never grew above 50 people, with 20 of those being under the age of ten-the children of the large, home schooling families, but at this particular Christmas Midnight Mass, over 200 people attended. David and Anabelle, lost in their happy world of love, had brought the lady who made the blue rose bouquet. She remained curious and pleased throughout the High Mass. James and Father Andrew shared professional level tenure voices, so that the Men's Schola out-did themselves this night, singing the Gregorian Chant, Purcell and others as if they had been inspired, while the priest seemed to be in another world of grace and calm. In fact, in had been passed around in the TLM gossip that Father had been offered a complete voice scholarship as a college student, but turned it down in order to go into the seminary.
Carola, in her new mantilla, prayed as if this would be the last Mass in this small chapel. The news was spreading through-out the diocese of the "visistators", as Anabelle had labelled the assessors. Therefore, some people, who had put off attending a TLM, came as if summoned by a silent voice to see the Mass of the Ages one more time.
Over the small chapel, one of the few which had withstood wreckovation and was full of statues from Germany and Austria, a quiet expectancy had fallen, like the small snowflakes outside. Carole felt she could see shimmering lights above and beyond the altar, but she was tired in her spirit, realizing her world, shrouded in mystery and darkness, may not see such a Mass again for a long time. Yet, the strange lighting lifted her spirits eventually and she pushed dark thoughts out of her mind. She was learning to concentrate on the hope of things unseen.
Father Andrew spoke of the Holy Child, Who had come into a hostile world to bring hope and healing to those who would accept His Love. But, almost immediately, this Child, this God, faced His enemies and the death of the Holy Innocents followed quickly the beautiful Birth. Father asked all there to pray and to listen, to listen to the angels who wanted to speak to us, to our holiest dreams and aspirations, to the words of Scripture.
"Memorize the Bible. Memorize as many of the great author-saints that you can manage to do. Memorize all your favorite prayers and novenas. Memorize the Mass."
The congregation became restless after this exhortation. But, the calm beauty and focus of the Mass brought all to the reason why they were there-the true worship of God.
When the Mass was over, Carole invited the little group back for the usual special late/early breakfast she and Anabelle had shared all the years as flat mates. Father Andrew said as he had to say two more NO Masses in the morning, he could not attend, but that he would try and come by in the late afternoon.
The night was very cold for Seaview. Blackness in the sky met blackness in the sea. The night sounds were muffled by the cold, so unusual for this bay town. Carole and James rushed back to set things up. David and Anabelle hung around to receive congratulations from the supportive "regulars".
James spoke first in the car. "My brother astounds me, Carole. It is if he had a spy in Washington. I can tell you that there are bills which would shut down every Catholic radio and television station in this land because of so-called hate speech and other crimes of civil liberties. Some may affect Catholic publishing houses."
"James," Carole shrugged in the cold, "Why is this all happening so fast?"
"Well, these movements were in place long before the Supreme Court decision. Such ideas were being batted around Washington for months." James pulled up in front of the apartments. "Nothing will be the same after this next week, I can assure you."
David and Anabelle joined them, but the group could not enter into a party mode. David said an odd thing. "I want us to stay in this area, and I have a great job, as does Anabelle, but I can't see us staying here if all the churches are really closed. To be honest, I have to think ahead, you know."
Carole turned white, but she had a niggling feeling even on the night of the marriage, that something like a move would be necessary for a family.
"I have put out feelers for jobs in seven different places. Also, a friend of mine in Germany wants me to come there to help him set up a private IT business."
Anabelle put her hand on Carole's hand. "Is there a rush. I mean, can we wait a bit?"
David looked up at the ceiling. "I have to tell you all, I just can't see us staying here."
James, who was sitting down with a plate and glass, said, "Have you tried anything in the Washington D.C area?"
The younger man stared at the older one. "Is that not jumping out of the frying pan into the fire?"
James stood up. "It is easier to do things sometimes in larger cities. I don't know. But there were recusant safe houses in London, when the other towns and villages had been stripped of priests and the sacraments. We do not have the strong, large types of recusant communities in the northern part of America like England did. Remember, the great seven families which kept the Faith? Well, some were involved in politics."
James put his glass down. "It is just a crazy idea, but try."
Anabelle took Carole aside, and they stood by the pink Christmas tree. "If we go, could you come with us? I already asked David and he said 'absolutely'."
The older woman nodded. "I would still be doing well financially with the new Amazon accounts and my new website. I guess I do not need the shops. I could go on line totally, and to be honest, most of my sales are now made on line. But, you and David will need some time, some space...you know."
Light was beginning to come through the many windows. Several seagulls flew past the west side, the side facing the sea. James spoke first. "Our first Christmas as recusants in this fair State. Merry Christmas, friends, and do not lose heart. This has all happened before-to Anabelle's ancestors, and mine. We are the remnant."
"Merry Christmas, James," they all answered.
To be continued....