The arrangements are in place and my mother’s funeral will be held in family intimacy on Wednesday 20th February. I will be away from blogging and perhaps also all internet-based contact from the morning of Friday 15th February until I get back home on Thursday 21st February evening.
Update, we are taking the laptop computer, so if we can get wi-fi, it should be possible to get e-mail and service the comments on this blog – a “reduced service”.
On this Ash Wednesday, I blessed the Ashes and imposed them on my tonsure. I then celebrated the Mass of the day in black vestments as per medieval English usage, and commemorated my mother’s ninth day. This Ash Wednesday will forever have a special meaning for me.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ…
The Blue Flower 
Journey mercies, Fr. Anthony. May you have a blessed time with your close family and friends remembering your mother. I don’t feel much like blogging either. All the best.
Deborah
Many thanks, Deborah. This will be a hard time for all my family, but I think these days will be precious.
Indeed, there is little we can achieve with blogs, any more than Ioannes’ zeal to become Christian Emperor of the World – aut Caesar aut nullus! 😀 Like many of us, he will grow up and make something more personal of his faith and his desire to further the cause of God’s Kingdom.
With Ash Wednesday just one week after my mother’s death, things really come into perspective.
The historical trajectory Benedict XVI has set in motion by his abdication may also prove salutary for those whose certitude exceeds their charity. This will be quite a year!
You are certainly in my prayers Father Anthony,
Father Ed Bakker