Our chapel has a ton of children under 5. More on the way at all times, too!

But it remains to be seen how Catholic the "Catholic Millenials" will be as they grow up, attempt to set off on their own, have to make their own hard decisions, etc.

Especially as regards "where do you draw the line when compromising with the world".

Mom & Dad -- or Grandma & Grandpa -- might remember life before Vatican II.

But what about those who grow up going to a hotel for Mass every week, or attending Mass every Sunday in a small building, with a small group of parishioners, where everyone they meet during the week is an "outsider" -- very much like a cult on the surface.

What will those kids do when they grow up? Especially as starting a family gets harder every year. Let's put it this way -- in 1920 a man worked one year and his house was paid for. How many people can pull that off today? 'Nuff said.

A 2010 dollar is worth less than 1/20 what a dollar was worth in 1913. No wonder it's hard to make a go of it these days!

It's like swimming with 20 lb weights tied to your hands, feet, and midsection.

Matthew

What do you think this holds for the future in terms of the TLM?

Unfortunately I cannot be too positive about this.  I wish we had more celibate saints and less people getting married.  If marriage even in good times divides a Catholic in half, how much worse is it in our time?  I think the small, cult-like environment of trad chapels fosters a sort of romantic intimacy, a coziness that is illusive, and almost everyone gets married off.  

Besides gladius and myself I don't know many men committed to the single life, and that is odd considering how much better your chances are to make it to heaven that way, especially now.  I just don't know if I'd be able to raise eight or nine kids in this environment of fading Mystery Babylon and keep my soul, for the reasons Matthew describes -- all those ʝʊdɛօ-Masonic nets that have been set for us.

Granted, that is partly because I do not have the vocation to be a patriarch.  I'm the classic definition of a loner, an abstracted thinker-type, trying to recover from an irresponsible past.  But it will be hard to survive in this toxic, doomed environment even for those who are good patriarchs.  God will see His people through, don't get me wrong.  I just prefer to take the easier route -- easier in some ways, anyway, if you discount the gut-wrenching episodes of lust and physical burning.

If I were going to get married it would be after the Minor Chastisement.  That is when the Earth will need repopulating.  I have a feeling NFP will not be a problem then either.  

It is indeed very difficult raising children in today's world. One thing I do not regret is having my children make their nine First Fridays right after they received their first Holy Communion.

There are other devotions with promises, such as five First Saturdays, that you can have your children do as well, while they are still young enough to listen to you. That traditional Catholic printing house in Kentucky (I think that's where it is) has a flier of devotions that promise eternal salvation.

There is also a beautiful prayer called the Life Offering, given to a Hungarian nun, sometime in the early 20th century, and it promises salvation for family members. If I find it, I'll post it.

God has created all of our children, and he wants them in Heaven even more than we do.

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What do you think this holds for the future in terms of the TLM?

Unfortunately I cannot be too positive about this.  I wish we had more celibate saints and less people getting married.  If marriage even in good times divides a Catholic in half, how much worse is it in our time?  I think the small, cult-like environment of trad chapels fosters a sort of romantic intimacy, a coziness that is illusive, and almost everyone gets married off.

Very true I think. It's tempting to dream about starting a family, homeschool, etc...

Besides gladius and myself I don't know many men committed to the single life, and that is odd considering how much better your chances are to make it to heaven that way, especially now.  I just don't know if I'd be able to raise eight or nine kids in this environment of fading Mystery Babylon and keep my soul, for the reasons Matthew describes -- all those ʝʊdɛօ-Masonic nets that have been set for us.

Granted, that is partly because I do not have the vocation to be a patriarch.  I'm the classic definition of a loner, an abstracted thinker-type, trying to recover from an irresponsible past.  But it will be hard to survive in this toxic, doomed environment even for those who are good patriarchs.  God will see His people through, don't get me wrong.  I just prefer to take the easier route -- easier in some ways, anyway, if you discount the gut-wrenching episodes of lust and physical burning.

For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it. ~Matthew 19:12

If I were going to get married it would be after the Minor Chastisement.  That is when the Earth will need repopulating.  I have a feeling NFP will not be a problem then either.  

I agree.