Jesus said that He is the Light of the world. He also stated that we are called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. (See Mt. Chap 5)

Pope Saint John Paul II wrote a document for the Laity, CHRISTIFIDELES LAICI (December 30, 1988), a Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation, meaning the Laity Faithful to Christ. The whole of this document centers around the call of lay people to be engaged in the sanctification of the world. The laity is called to accept the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount to be both light and salt. Salt gives flavor and preserves from corruption. Light casts out not only shadows, but darkness.  

Over the past few generations, in most of the world, there has been a lack of solid catechesis. The role of a catechist is indispensable in the development of a healthy Parish. In fact, the efficacy of the Sacraments depends in large part upon the solid teaching of the priests, but also the supporting assistance of a lay catechetical team. The more adequate the formation of the catechists—for children, teens, and adults, the more efficacious will be the reception of the Sacraments, as well as perseverance in living out the faith.

What are some tools or methods or tactics that we should utilize to become the salt of the earth and the light of the world? In a more wide sense of the word, all followers of Christ can teach in one form or another.

In fact, parents are called to be the first and primary educators of their children. However, Godparents must support the parents in the spiritual and moral formation of their godchildren. From Baptism, we are called to be priest, prophet and king. The role of the Prophet is that of preaching the Gospel truth by both word and example.

Of paramount importance, the priest has a double and indispensable role: that of praying to God for the people entrusted to his care. But the priest must also be the primary teacher of the flock entrusted to his care.

That said, the following are some concrete suggestions on how all of us can become the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and to exercise our teaching role in the best way possible. Perhaps the salvation of immortal souls depends upon our being the light pointing them to Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, as well as the Light of the world.

1. FIRST COME AND THEN GO.  The Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen coined this pithy phrase related to becoming true disciples of Jesus the Lord—FIRST COME AND THEN GO. What the saintly Bishop meant by this catchy one-liner is that for us to go out to preach, and teach, and convert souls, we must first come to Christ. We must spend time with Jesus. We must form a deep Friendship with Jesus. Recently, Pope Francis, talking on apostolic zeal in his General Audience (May 17, 2023), presented Saint Francis Xavier as a model for apostolic zeal. Perhaps the greatest modern missionary saint, Xavier encountered many obstacles in India, Indonesia and Japan. Pope Francis pointed out that the key to Xavier’s success was the deep union and friendship that Xavier had with Jesus. This being the case, if we sincerely desire to bring the wandering and lost sheep home to the arms of the Good Shepherd, we have to first experience a deep union with the Good Shepherd.  If you like, for us to be a good shepherd to our sheep, we must be a good sheep of the Good Shepherd.

2. YOU CAN’T GIVE WHAT YOU DON’T HAVE: STUDY!  It is a sad but real fact that many adult Catholics in their 40’s, 50’s and 60’s or beyond, had their last trace of religious formation when they were teenagers or even children. Many of these adults have College degrees and are well-equipped professionals in their prospective fields. However, their Christian-Catholic spiritual and moral formation came to a screeching halt at a young age. Physically and intellectually their formation is complete, but their spiritual formation was stunted at a juvenile level at best. Professionals, moreover, are always keeping up to date with seminars, classes of ongoing formation, and even tests to be up to speed in their profession. If not they could be dismissed from their job as incompetent. In a very real sense, should we not be Professional Catholics? By this is meant, should we not be constantly on the pathway of perfection in our study, knowledge and love for Jesus, our Supreme Master, and our Catholic Faith? Even though this is embarrassing to say, how often have we bumped into trained Missionaries from Religious Sects who have more knowledge of their faith and enthusiasm to transmit it than we do??? As Catholics we have the fullness of the Truth and the fullness of the Faith, but all too often we are asleep. Whereas, the Religious Sects preach erroneous doctrines but with fire and enthusiasm that can blow us out of the water!!! May the Lord help us! To conclude, let us make a concerted effort to study our faith seriously, methodically, orderly and systematically. One last suggestion: Study the Catechism of The Catholic Church!!! If we can master the major concepts in the CCC then we have a solid foundation on which to build a sturdy spiritual edifice.

3. SPIRITUAL DIRECTION.  One of my biggest fears as a driver has always been the dangerous blind spot. We all have spiritual, moral, and catechetical blind spots. Actually, there are three visions of ourselves: the way others see us (not fully correct); the way we see ourselves (blurry and indistinct); and God’s vision of us which is always correct! One of the benefits of competent, methodical, and efficacious Spiritual Direction is that through the help of a spiritual guide we are able to perceive ourselves with greater honesty and clarity. Saint John of the Cross stated, tongue in cheek: “He who has himself as a guide, has a dummy as a disciple.” This Mystical Doctor of the Church was basically asserting the fact that we are the worst judge of ourselves. We all have blind spots and a spiritual Guide can help us connect with Jesus, who is both the Master and the Light of the world.

4. READ THE SIGNS OF THE TIME.  One of the key concepts that has surfaced from the Second Vatican Council is the dire necessity to be able to read the signs of the time. By these classical words from the Council is meant that as followers of Christ we must be aware of what is going on around us in the world. We have to be keenly aware of the social and political milieu. The moral problems that are rocking the Bark of Peter must be ascertained with great clarity, addressed with intelligence, and resolved with concrete steps of action. To be blunt and to the point, presently we must address attacks against human life from conception to the last moments of life. Moral attacks against the family are rampant. A well-educated and articulate Catholic must respond with answers on how to defend the family, which is not only the Domestic Church, but also the basic building block of society. The whirlwind of the sexual identity crisis must be addressed so as to save both teens and children from wrong choices that could have catastrophic consequences in their lives. By uniting prayer, study, and proper spiritual direction with an astute awareness of the social, political, and academic milieu, we can arrive at a point where we can truly and honestly read the signs of the time and respond responsibly according to God’s law.

5. DROP THE NETS AND REAP THE ABUNDANT HARVEST.  Finally, each and every one of us through prayer should step back and look at our own concrete living situation. We should look objectively at where God has placed us, then drop the nets and reap the harvest where God has placed us. For many lay people absorbed in temporal realities, the family is the first and foremost proximate missionary field for the apostolate. We should beg the Lord and His Holy Spirit for the grace to see when, where, and what method we can use to draw family members closer to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Then work at it! If it is not possible to evangelize by word, then do so by the example of the way we live and work. Punctuality, honesty, competence, and hard-work with a smile on our face could be the most efficacious means to drop the nets or reap the harvest. Finally, there may be a friend, relative, or colleague who manifests openness to God; time to drop the net for a big catch. In a real sense, we should all have a daring desire to talk about the Lord Jesus and invite a wandering and lost soul to meet the Lord. And especially to pray for the many who are lost and possibly on the precipice of losing their immortal souls for all eternity! Every soul was redeemed and saved by the Precious Blood that Jesus shed on the cross that Good Friday on Mount Calvary. Ultimately it is up to each person to accept or reject Jesus’ offer of salvation. But let us not fail to do our part to pray and work for the salvation of souls for all eternity!

In conclusion, as followers of Jesus, the Light of the World, we are challenged to be both light and salt. The harvest is rich, and the laborers are all too few. Let us all, through the intercession of Mary, beg for the grace to work assiduously on our own permanent formation so as to participate more effectively in hauling in an abundant catch of fish, in reaping an enormous harvest to place in the barns of Heaven, for all eternity.

 

The Sanctifier, the Paraclete, the Finger of God, the Interior Master, the Gift of Gifts, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, the bond of Love uniting the Father and the Son, the Helper, the Advocate, the Secret Friend, the Sweet Guest of the Soul—all of these are titles given to the Third Person of the most Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit.

As Saint Paul came to Ephesus on a missionary journey, he asked some of the people there if they had received the Holy Spirit. Their response could easily be seen in the light of our present situation with respect to a lack of knowledge of the faith in general, and a lack of knowledge of the Holy Spirit in particular: “We did not even know that there was a Holy Spirit.”(Acts 19: 1-7)

We have never lived in a world with so much information. However, at the same time, we have never lived in a world with so much widespread confusion—the effects of sin and the Tower of Babel!

Therefore, we would like to offer a short essay on how we can grow in our knowledge, love and friendship with the Holy Spirit, as the Catechism of the Catholic Church calls Him—“The Gift of Gifts!” Let us freely receive this Gift into the depths of our hearts, minds, souls, and understandings, and allow Him to permeate us with His Presence and take total possession of our lives. A gift can be freely received or freely rejected. Let us open our entire beings to receive this greatest Gift, God Himself!

Hopefully these short suggestions will be of great help to unite you more closely to the Holy Spirit. Be ready and willing to share the knowledge that you receive freely.  If we have received freely then we should give freely! The following are ten short points or ideas to enhance your knowledge, love and docility to the Holy Spirit.

 

1. Never allow a day to pass without saying at least a short PRAYER to the Holy Spirit. Here is a short one that can be memorized easily: “Come Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary.” Say this prayer often and with great faith and love. Consequently, the Holy Spirit will be more active in your life.

2. ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.  Read through the book in the Bible that follows the Gospel of Saint John and is attributed to Saint Luke, the Acts of the Apostles. This book has been called “The Gospel of the Holy Spirit.” Be keenly observant of how many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned in this spiritual masterpiece. See also the different ways that the Holy Spirit works in the primitive Church. You might even underline with your pencil each time the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. Allow the Holy Spirit to enter more fully into your life by meditating on the Word of God.

3. Get into the habit of making NOVENAS. One of the most powerful novenas in the history of the world was precisely the novena in preparation for the coming of the Holy Spirit that first Pentecost. The Apostles prayed and fasted nine days and nights in union with the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then an extraordinary phenomenon occurred: wind and fire descended upon the heads of the Apostles, transforming them into fiery lovers of Jesus, ready to shed their blood for the sake of the His name! (Read Acts chapter 2)

4. Get to know the various SYMBOLS that the Church has given to get to know the Holy Spirit better. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives several of them: Fire, Cloud, the Dove. Wind, Water and Oil. Also, the Seal, a Finger, a Lamp. Symbols are physical realities that point to a more profound spiritual reality. (CCC 694-701)

5. READING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT.  One of the books that I highly recommend is In the School of the Holy Spirit written by Jacques Philippe. A short but superb masterpiece on the topic of the Holy Spirit, Philippe invites us to pursue the path of holiness by the simple path of being docile to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, wants to make us saints, if we will only allow Him to operate freely in our lives.

7. THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  At the moment of Baptism we receive the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit; then the Sacrament of Confirmation fortifies these wonderful gifts. Get to know them; pray that they become more operative in your life. Your sanctification and salvation depends on this deep union with the Holy Spirit and His Gifts.
8. THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  If you are floundering in “no-man’s land” as to what the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are, the following is your cheat sheet. Try to memorize them: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety and Fear of the Lord. According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, the Angelic Doctor, Wisdom is the greatest of all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which can be defined as relishing the things of God. If you like, the Psalmist sums up the gift of Wisdom in these concise words: “Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” (Psalm 34)
9. FRUITS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  Traditionally the fruits of the Holy Spirit are twelve, even though Saint Thomas Aquinas says these are not all-inclusive. The following are the traditional twelve: charity ( or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long suffering), mildness, faithfulness, modesty, continency (or self control), and chastity. Saint Thomas states that when we are corresponding to the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and carrying out God’s will in our lives, then we experience this interior sweetness in our soul—these are the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

9. RECOVERY OF THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  A moral tragedy could occur in our lives: falling into mortal sin! If you fall into the mud of mortal sin in your life, never give into despair but trust God all the more fully. By committing a mortal sin we willingly expel the Holy Spirit from our souls. However, the Good News is this: CONFESSION!  By making a good sacramental confession to the priest, then not only does God’s grace return to your soul but also the Holy Spirit returns as the Sweet Guest of your soul!  

10. OUR LADY AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.  Mary had the deepest and closest relationship to the Holy Spirit after Jesus Himself. The Immaculate Conception, in which Our Lady was preserved from the stain of Original Sin from the moment of her conception in her mother’s womb, was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Virginal Conception of Jesus in the womb of Mary was due to the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. The birthday of the Church on that first Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in tongues of fire, came about in the presence of Our Lady. Her powerful prayers facilitated the coming of the Holy Spirit and the advent of the missionary Church. Our Lady has a deep and intimate relationship to the Blessed Trinity. She is the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son and she is the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. For this reason Saint Louis de Montfort expresses in these words of great enthusiasm: “Those who love Mary, the Holy Spirit flings Himself into those souls.” May Our Lady attain for you a renewed Pentecost and powerful infusion of the Holy Spirit. “Come Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary.

Father Ed Broom, OMV, is Associate Pastor of St. Peter Chanel Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California. He is a member of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary and was ordained by Saint John Paul II on May 25, 1986. Fr. Ed teaches Catholic Ignatian Marian Spirituality through articles, podcasts, a radio show, retreats and spiritual direction.

Every day of May offer Mary a gesture of love…

June is the month that we traditionally honor the most Sacred Heart of Jesus, the most eloquent symbol of love for us. In November, we make a concerted effort to pray, offer Masses and sacrifices for the souls in Purgatory, especially the most abandoned and forgotten. July, in the heat of Summer, the most Precious Blood of Jesus that was shed for our eternal salvation we not only honor, but we praise and worship. We were redeemed at a dear price, the Precious Blood of the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

THE MONTH OF MAY.  The poets sing, write, and chant the glamour and splendor of May, the crown of Spring, with poetic verses that ring as such: “April flowers bring May flowers.” However, it must be declared with an overflowing joy that the most beautiful flower in May is Mary. The Italian poet Dante presents Mary in his literary classic ,“The Divine Comedy”, as the MYSTICAL ROSE!!! Of all of the flowers in God’s Heavenly Garden, Mary, the Mystical Rose, is by far the most splendid, fragrant, redolent, glorious, and breath-takingly beautiful. How interesting that the word ROSARY comes from the same linguistic origin as Rose. The Rosary indeed is a bouquet of roses that we present in prayer (the 50 Hail Marys) to Mary, the Queen of Heaven and earth.

The great Saint John Bosco had a tender and filial trust and love for Mary.  Among the many titles given to Our Lady, the favorite for Bosco, the patron of the youth, was that of OUR LADY HELP OF CHRISTIANS. In the prayer, The Memorare: “Never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided….” So that the youth could attain to virtue and holiness, and especially the virtue of chastity, Saint John Bosco did all in his power to instill in them a tender, trusting and loving devotion to Mary, Our Lady Help of Christians.

One of the practices of Saint Bosco that he encouraged in the Oratory for his youth was to live out the month of Mary, but in a very special way. All of May, Bosco wanted the youth to have Our Lady in their minds and in the depths of their hearts.

Saint John Bosco suggested that every day, starting with the first day of May until the last, they should try to offer Our Lady some small sacrifice, prayer, offering, penance, or gesture—and even though little, if done with love, it would have incalculable value.

In our own humble and simple way, we would like to follow in the footsteps of Saint John Bosco, the towering saint of the 19^th century, and offer a concrete offering, gift, prayer, sacrifice that we can offer to Mary every day in May.  Remember May is the month of Mary; April showers bring May flowers. Mary is the Mystical Rose that radiates beauty and fragrance, not only in Heaven but wherever she is invoked, honored and loved in all the corners of the earth.

MONTH OF MARY: 30 GIFTS TO THE MOTHER OF GOD

1. MORNING OFFERING.  Upon rising in the morning, start off the day by offering ourselves and all we do to the Sacred Heart of Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

2. ANGELUS.  To honor Mary during the course of the day, pray the Angelus at noon, or whenever you please. This prayer gives Mary great honor because it calls to mind the two key moments in the history of salvation and Mary’s role in them: The Incarnation of the Son of God and the Paschal Mystery—His Passion, Death and Resurrection. Mary played a key role in both.

3. REGINA CAELI.  Actually, this is the Marian prayer that is prayed in the Easter Season to honor Our Lady who rejoices in the fact of the Resurrection of Jesus. Not only did Mary suffer intensely beneath the cross on Good Friday, but she also rejoiced exultantly at His Resurrection from the dead.

4. GOLDEN HAIL MARY.  As suggested by Saint Gertrude the Great, at times pray the Hail Mary slowly and meditate on and ponder in depth the meaning of the words in the Angelic salutation—another more formal name for the Hail Mary.

5. MEMORARE.  Saint Frances de Sales, when going through a most profound desolation, prayed the MEMORARE (Marian prayer attributed to Saint Bernard) in the Church of Our Lady of Victory. His desolation disappeared immediately, like mist exposed to the brilliant light of the sun. 

6. HAIL HOLY QUEEN.  With fervor and devotion, pray the prayer that we say to conclude the most Holy Rosary: “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope….” In the midst of the trials, tribulations, and contradictions of life entrust your failures to Mary and she will turn your sadness into an overflowing joy.

7. MARY: STAR OF THE SEA.  Meditate upon one of the most beautiful Marian poems ever penned—by Saint Bernard, the Mellifluous Doctor of the Church. Mary is truly STELLA MARIS—THE STAR OF THE SEA! Sailors would follow the star of the sea to lead them safely and securely to the port. So in the midst of the many tempests that we must sail through, let us never fail to lift our gaze to Mary, STELLA MARIS—STAR OF THE SEA. Her gentle but powerful persuasion will lead us safe and sound to our Heavenly Home.

8. MARIAN HYMNS: IMMACULATE MARY, HAIL HOLY QUEEN.  As the poet states: “The lover sings a song of love.” If we truly love Mary, we will rejoice in singing to her some joyful song or hymn. Among my three favorites are the following: Sing of Mary, Hail Holy Queen, and Immaculate Mary. Choose one of your favorite Marian songs and sing it with love to Mary with all your heart.

9. STUDY!  If we really want to love Mary then we should strive to get to know her by reading about Mary. Make it a point to read some good books, articles, documents, encyclicals on Mary for the month of May.

10. TRUE DEVOTION TO MARY, ST. LOUIS DE MONTFORT.  Of all of the treatises on Mary with respect to consecration to her, True Devotion to Mary by Saint Louis de Montfort is a world classic. Read, learn, love and live it! It will change your life! Indeed, Mary is the shortcut to Jesus!

11. GLORIES OF MARY.  Another universal Marian classic is GLORIES OF MARY. The author is one of the greatest Doctors of the Church, Saint Alphonsus Liguori. Of all of the many wrings of this great saint, this was his masterpiece. This literary Marian Masterpiece simply takes the prayer, the HAIL HOLY QUEEN, and explains it word for word, taking from the rich resources of the Bible, the Doctors of the Church, and the saints. This masterpiece will move you to tears of emotion for love of Mary.

12. TOTAL CONSECRATION TO JESUS THROUGH THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY. Author? Yours truly, Fr. Ed Broom, OMV. Get to know the riches of Mary by plumbing the depths of the most Holy Rosary through the treasures of Sacred Scripture—available at Sophia Press!

13. MAY 13th.  Get to know and love Mary through the message of Our Lady of Fatima. May 13^th was the first of six apparitions of Our Lady to three Shepherd children—Saint Francisco, Saint Jacinta, and Lucia de los Santos.

14. MOVIES.  View some good movies on Our Lady. There are many! A classic that recounts in a marvelous fashion Our Lady of Lourdes and her 18 appearances to St. Bernadette has the title: “The Song of Bernadette.”

15. FOLLOW UP…  More recently, as a follow up to the apparitions of Our Lady of Lourdes and her appearances to Bernadette, would be the life of Bernadette after she entered the convent to become a Religious Sister in Nevers. The title of this movie is “The Passion of Bernadette.” The “Passion” is rightly titled because once Bernadette entered the convent of Sisters, the rest of her life was basically one of suffering—therefore, “The Passion of Bernadette.

16. SHORT PRAYERS TO HONOR MARY DURING THE DAY.  During the course of the day shoot fiery arrows, short prayers of love for Mary, through the skies so as to enkindle your love for Mary. We must constantly fan the flames of our love; otherwise, love extinguishes. An example: “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.

17. ANOTHER SHORT PRAYER:  “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.“

18. ENTHRONE THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY, WITH THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS.  A devotion very pleasing to both Jesus and Mary is that of the double enthronement: the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and alongside, the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Many graces will flow from honoring publicly in your homes these two Hearts which are clear symbols of their love for us.

19. SCAPULAR.  Have yourself enrolled in the brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel—many graces flow from this formal and official enrollment. Once enrolled, you are enrolled for life and receive many blessings from the Carmelite Order.

20. KISS THE SCAPULAR.  Interesting note: the kissing of the Scapular with devotion results in receiving a partial indulgence that can be applied to the souls in Purgatory. The kiss is a concrete sign of our love for Our Heavenly Mother.

21. GARMENT OF GRACE.  Purchase and read the small booklet “GARMENT OF GRACE.” As a brief, concise and clear explanation of the Scapular this little booklet is a gem! It explains the history of the Scapular, the miracles that have been attributed to it, and a brief catechism at the end of the booklet. Buy it! Read it! You will never regret it!

22. MIRACULOUS MEDAL.  Wear this as a sign of your devotion to Mary. Saint Maximilian Kolbe had great devotion to Our Lady under the title of the Immaculata! He formed the Militia of the Immaculata to fight against the pernicious diffusion of the Masons one hundred years ago. He said of the Miraculous Medal: “This is truly our heavenly weapon, a bullet with which a faithful soldier hits the enemy, i.e. evil, and thus rescues souls.”

23. GIVE OUT THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL.  Once again, Kolbe would carry these medals and give them out as his spiritual bullets. Study the symbolism and upon giving the Medal as a gift take advantage of the opportunity to give a good catechesis on Marian devotion.

24. MARIA COGITA, MARIA INVOCA.  This is a classical emblem for the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, a Congregation dedicated to spreading devotion to Mary. (I actually belong to this Congregation!) The Latin phrase translated means: “Think of Mary, Invoke Mary”. Why not spend a day in May striving to think about Mary during the course of the day and invoke her frequently. This day will result in many graces!

25. FIRST SATURDAY OF MAY.  Look up and carry out the requests of Our Lady of Fatima to the world and once again many blessings will be showered upon you!

26. FIRST SATURDAY REQUESTS OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA as listed:

1) Sacramental Confession; 2) Mass and Holy Communion of Reparation; 3) Reparation for the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary; 4) Pray the Rosary; 5) Meditate upon the mysteries of the most Holy Rosary.

27. COMMUNION OF REPARATION TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY. FIVE SPECIFIC AREAS OF REPARATION TOWARD MARY’S HEART:

1) Sins against the Immaculate Conception.

2) Sins against her Perpetual Virginity.

3) Sins against her Divine Maternity.

4) Sins of those who have profaned and desecrated her images.

5) Sins of those scandalizing children.

28. MARIAN LITURGICAL FEASTS FOR MAY.  Honor Mary in the month of May by attending Mass in her honor for the two Marian Feast-days in May. May 13^th—the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima; May 31^st—the Visitation of Mary to St Elizabeth.

29. HOLY COMMUNION.  Receive Holy Communion through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. If done with love, the effects of your Holy Communions will be much more efficacious. A short prayer before receiving Holy Communion: “Jesus, come to me through the Heart of Mary.”

30. HOLY ROSARY.  Of course the month of May would be incomplete if we did not mention the importance of praying the most Holy Rosary. Our Lady of Fatima said six times: PRAY THE ROSARY!!! In the words of the Rosary priest, Father Patrick Peyton: “The family that prays together stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace”.

31. SPEAK TO OTHERS ABOUT YOUR LOVE FOR MARY.  If we truly love a person then we cannot help talking about that person with great enthusiasm. This should apply to Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph. Proclaim the greatness of Mary and you will glorify the Lord.

The Words of Mary in the Magnificat say it all, Mary said: “My soul does magnify the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. Friends in Jesus and Mary, let us all honor Mary in a special way in the month of May. Following in the footsteps of Saint John Bosco, let us try to do some concrete gesture, prayer, sacrifice, homage to Mary every day of May. In return, she will attain for you the choicest graces in this life and in eternal life in our life to come!

The saints are fascinating! Colorful, dynamic, charismatic, different in time, place, culture, and temperament, but truly inspiring, appealing and worthy of imitation in all times and places.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives two poignant reasons why we should venerate, honor and trust in the presence of the saints. Remember that the Church is a family with three different dimensions: the Church Suffering, the souls in Purgatory; the Church Militant, the soldiers of Christ fighting for Christ and salvation (those living—us); and finally, the Church Triumphant, the saints in Heaven. Even though physically dead, in spirit the saints in Heaven are more alive than ever—the Church Triumphant, the Communion of saints.

The two specific ways in which the saints can help us are the following: 1) The power of intercession; 2) The splendid example that they have left us to imitate and emulate. They indeed are our glorious Friends in Heaven.

INTERCESSION. They can pray for us. Most especially they pray fervently for us, for our conversion, sanctification and eternal salvation, when we think about them and especially talk to them—that is to say, pray to them. Their prayers are powerful because they are God’s closest Friends in Heaven, and always will be, without any change.

IMITATION/EMULATION.  In life we all need models, heroes, examples to follow, to encourage us and for us to imitate—especially this is the case in the realm of virtue and holiness. 

SAINTS ARE DIFFERENT BUT ALIKE.  The saints all differ in the time they lived, the culture they assumed, their intellectual acumen, as well as their character and temperament. However, the saints have a common ground that indeed is universal in all times and places. The common thread that unites all saints is quite simply their love for Jesus, the Saint of all saints, Jesus who indeed became their Best Friend on earth, their WAY, TRUTH, AND LIFE!

UNIVERSAL CALL TO HOLINESS.  The saints are in heaven but are given by God the power to work on earth in our lives. If we call upon them they hear our prayers and present our prayers before the throne of God, who hears our prayers and helps us. An unknown fact among the immense majority of believers is what is found in Chapter V of Lumen Gentium, the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church titled “The Universal call to holiness.” In Lumen Gentium, considered the most important Dogmatic Constitution from the Second Vatican Council, the fifth Chapter insists that holiness, becoming a saint is a universal calling. All of us and each one of us individually are called to become saints, and great saints.

The following are several Biblical passages, as well as what some of the saints have said on the universal call to holiness. Once again, it is not optional that of becoming a saint—rather it is obligatory! If you like it expressed grammatically, it is not conditional, but an imperative! It must be done! Not just whimsical or wishful thinking, but an imperious command!

FIRST OF ALL: WHAT THE BIBLE—THE WORD OF GOD TELLS US. JESUS SAYS…

1. “Be holy as your heavenly Father is holy.”

2. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for holiness, they will be satisfied.”

3. Saint Paul to the Thessalonians: “This is the will of your Heavenly Father, your sanctification.”

SECOND: WHAT HAVE THE SAINTS SAID ABOUT THE CALL TO HOLINESS…

1. SAINT MOTHER TERESA OF CALCUTTA.  She was known to have said to young women, “If you want to become a sister, you have to become a saint; if not, do not come to be a Missionary of Charity.” To all, Saint Mother Teresa asserted emphatically: “Holiness (becoming a saint) is not the privilege of the few, but is the duty of all.”

2. LEO BLOY (Famous French Catholic Writer) said: “The only real sadness, the only real failure, the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint.”

3. ST. JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA DE BALAGUER.  This modern saint, the founder of Opus Dei, insisted to all of the members of Opus Dei—The Work of God that all should work upon holiness according to their own state of life:  plumber, teacher, gardener, shoe shiner, married man or woman, nun, priest, Bishop—all are called to become saints according to their state or vocation in life. Saint Josemaria was known to have stated: “The biggest crisis in the world is the lack of saints.”

4. SAINT DOMINIC SAVIO AND SAINT JOHN BOSCO.  The Patron of youth, Saint Dominic Savio, who died at age 14, met Saint John Bosco and asked the saintly priest for a special grace. Savio said to Bosco: “I am the cloth and you are the tailor; now make of me a saint.” May we all place our lives in hands of the saints, the true friends of God, and beg them to pray for us so that we can become the saints that God has destined for us from all eternity.

5. SAINT FRANCES DE SALES: INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE.  The meek, kind and gentle Doctor of the Church, Saint Frances de Sales, penned a literary-spiritual classic: Introduction to the Devout Life. The entirety of this universal Literary classic are chapters with practical steps teaching us decisions and actions we should undertake to arrive at living out heroic holiness—becoming the saint that God wills for us.

6. SERVANT OF GOD LUCIA DE LOS SANTOS (SEER OF FATIMA).  On the day of her First Holy Communion, as a little Shepherd girl receiving the Eucharistic Lord Jesus for the first time, Lucia begged for a specific grace: “Lord Jesus, make me a saint!” How true that became.

7. BLESSED CARLOS ACUTIS:  Like Savio, a teenage saint, Carlos made a website on Eucharistic miracles and focused his life on becoming a saint. Blessed Carlos asserted: “The quickest path to holiness is the Holy Eucharist.” Let us take this teenage saint’s advice!

8. SAINT JOSE LUIS SANCHEZ DEL RIO.  Another young saint died as a martyr in the Cristero Revolution in Mexico after being tortured, stabbed and finally shot. He became a saint while being sustained by the Eucharist. When in prison, his aunt smuggled him the Holy Eucharist. The modern movie Mirando al Cielo presents the 14 year old saint as longing to die a martyr. Why? He said he ardently yearned to go to heaven to be with God forever. He said that it was easy! Suffer for a short time, die as a martyr, and Heaven is yours! A saint with the Lord forever!

9. THE CURE OF ARS AND THE DEVIL.  The Cure of Ars spent most of his life as a priest in the out of the way town of Ars, imprisoning himself in the confessional—from 13-18 hours a day, chilled to the bone in the winter and suffering stifling heat in the summer. At the end of his life, the devil appeared and stated that if there were another five men like the Cure of Ars, the devil’s kingdom would be destroyed.

10. OUR LADY AND HOLINESS.  The saints all agree that holiness is a deep relationship with Jesus the Lord, but they also agree, in the words of Saint Luis de Montfort, that “Mary is the quickest, easiest and shortest pathway to holiness”… our shortcut to heaven!

In conclusion, my friends in Jesus, Mary, the angels and the saints, let us not put it off any longer! Let us all strive to become the saint that God has called us to become. Remember the words of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta: “Holiness (to become a saint) is not the privilege of a few, but the duty of all.” Let us all work hard now, collaborate with God’s grace now, and with the help of Mary, the full of grace, we can rest forever in Heaven with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Mary, the angels and the saints!

Pope Pius XII stated, with respect to the understanding of sin, “The sin of the century is the loss of the sense of sin.” This statement took place close to 75 years ago, in a society which by and large had embraced Judeo-Christian values. Those were the days in which probably close to 75% of Catholics in the USA, Europe and Latin America practiced the faith, at least by attending Holy Mass every Sunday.

Today many so-called believers, due to mediocre to poor catechesis, have an extremely poorly formed conscience. How often have we experienced the following scenario! You have guests Saturday evening and in the early evening (about 4:30) you excuse yourself from the company. One of the guests politely asks where you are going; your response, “To Church!” “Why Church?” he asks? Your response, “I am going to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.” The interested guests blurts out: “Why, what have you done?” Of course you respond by saying that is private between you, the Confessor, and God. With courtesy and politeness, you invite him to come along with you to Confession! Often the response is the following: “I do not have any sins. I have not robbed a bank, or killed anyone!”

The above scenario is very telling to say the least! What surfaces in this conversation is the fact that many Catholics, those who have been brought up and raised in the past half-century or more, have not received a good catechetical formation. This includes the sad fact that their conscience has been poorly formed, inadequately formed, perhaps is deformed, or not even formed at all.

Keenly aware of this sad reality of a society in which the sin of the century is the loss of the sense of sin, Pope Saint John Paul II, elected Pope about 20 years after the death of now Ven. Pope Pius XII, went to work.

One of the first Synods that he convened was precisely on the topic of sin, the conscience, the loss of the sense of sin, and the call to return to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, also known as Confession, Penance, and the Sacrament of God’s Mercy.

After the Synod terminated its studies, interventions and collating of all the contributions, a Post Synod Document was published and promulgated. The official title of this Document was: “Reconciliatio Paenitentia”— in English: “Reconciliation and Penance” (December 2, 1984), an Apostolic Exhortation.

As an intellectual and theological tool to foster a knowledge of sin, the conscience, and a beckoning to return to the reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, this is a spiritual and literary masterpiece.

However, our purpose in this brief essay is to highlight and explain succinctly not simply the reality of sin and the loss of the sense of sin, but to accentuate the lethal effects that sin produces in the person, in the Church, in the society, and in the world at large.

In a society that either negates the reality of sin, or at least trivializes sin as basically insignificant, Pope Saint John Paul II does not mince words in elaborating on the lethal effects of sin.

Therefore, this essay will focus simply on one of the key aspects of sin—its deadly effects; not as seen in the eyes of the world, but as seen by God. The Holy Pontiff actually lists five effects of sin that we will explain succinctly and in any orderly fashion. Every sin has with it these five effects: 1) Theological, 2) Social, 3) Personal, 4) Ecclesial, and 5) Cosmic. We will proceed to explain these effects one at a time.

THE FIVE EFFECTS THAT EVERY SIN PRODUCES—FROM WITHIN TO WITHOUT.

1. THEOLOGICAL EFFECT.  The word actually refers to God Himself. “Theology is the study of God.” Now every time we make the decision to sin, be it in thought, or word, or deed, or even omission, there is an immediate offense against God. It must be emphasized: first and foremost, every sin that is committed is essentially an offense against God. He is the Primary and Principal Person who is offended. Two ideas to drive the point home! Every time we lift our gaze and contemplate Jesus hanging on the cross, shedding every drop of His Precious Blood, we see that Jesus really and truly suffered His Passion and death due to your sins and mine. The Baltimore Catechism portrays a boy nailing Jesus to the cross with the three letters SIN written on the back of his shirt—very graphic and easy to comprehend!

2. SOCIAL EFFECT.  After Cain killed his brother Able due to jealousy, envy, anger and hatred, the murderer blurted out the defiant question: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gn. 4:9) The response is an unequivocal YES!!! It is true, as Saint Paul reminds us, that we have to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. However, Jesus taught time and time again that we should be intent on caring for our brothers and sisters. Remember the Good Samaritan! (Lk. 10: 25-37) Remember the Corporal Works of Mercy: Feeding the hungry, slaking the thirst of the thirsty, helping a stranger, those in need of clothing, attending the sick and imprisoned. (Mt. 25: 31-45) The good we do or fail to do to our neighbor, we do to Jesus.

3. PERSONAL EFFECT.  Not only does our sin hurt God, and wound and hurt our neighbor, but sin also hurts us. Serious sins, Pope Saint John Paul II stated, can be seen as moral suicide. Actually, every time we personally decide to commit a mortal sin, it indeed is a form of moral suicide. In a word, the effects are both toxic and lethal! By committing a mortal sin, the poison of sin contaminates that person in their individual nature. Reflect on the various effects: the temporary loss of God and the gift of sanctifying grace, the loss of His Friendship, the darkening of the mind and weakening of the will. There are still other effects on the person committing mortal sin: sadness permeates their whole being; peace disappears; deprivation of the ability to receive Holy Communion; and the sin can become a vice, that is to say, sin repeated. Worst of all, if one dies in the state of mortal sin, they lose their soul for all eternity. How important it is for us to meditate upon the effects of sin in our own personal lives; and consequently, to repent of mortal sin, have recourse to Confession as soon as possible, and thus return to God’s Friendship.

4. ECCLESIAL EFFECT.  Pope Saint John XXIII published an Encyclical Letter on the Church with the title—Mater Magistra—Mother and Teacher. Two of the primary functions of the Church is to be our Mother in the order and economy of grace, as well as Teacher of the Truth. Sad to say, our sin not only hurts God, our neighbor, and ourselves but also the Church, our Mother and our Teacher. There are countless examples of how members of the Church have done irreparable damage as a result of their sins. Perhaps two of the most evident and glaring examples would be in the persons and the actions of a King and an Augustinian priest: Henry VIII and Martin Luther. As a result of the actions and lives of these two individuals, who lived close to the same time frame, irreparable damage was done to the Church on a global scale. The Catholic Church of England almost overnight went from Catholic to Anglican—the Church of England governed by the King himself. Then in strong Catholic Germany, Luther was instrumental in cutting it in half—the Northern part became Protestant and the Southern, the majority, remained Catholic. This is the Ecclesial effect of sin, on how our sin can damage the Church, our Mother and Teacher.

5. COSMIC EFFECT OF SIN.  The final effect of sin, as explained by Pope Saint John Paul II, is called the COSMIC EFFECT OF SIN. Not only does sin damage our relationship with God, damage our relationship with others in society, damage our very self, as well as the Church, but sin also damages the world in which we live. This is the cosmic effect. Perhaps the best way to portray the Cosmic Effect of Sin is through contemplating the effects of war, and wars upon the world at large. Our Lady of Fatima stated that war comes as a result of sin. She warned the world, in the midst of World War I, that if people did not stop sinning and start praying more, than a worse World War would explode. Indeed, it happened—the Second World War. The Cosmic Effect of Sin results in the damage and devastation of nature. Due to wars how many disasters in nature occur: animals destroyed, rivers and water bodies polluted, trees, plants and forests devastated. Studies have even pointed out that as a result of the atomic bomb and nuclear chemical elements even the gene pool of those exposed has been damaged.

In conclusion, as a result of the Original Sin, the Sin of Adam and Eve (our first parents), there was unleashed a moral/spiritual tsunami that has repercussions in the world until the very end of time. All times, persons, and places have been profoundly affected by the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. Indeed, every sin committed since, even in the most remote regions, leaves its effect. Pope Saint John Paul the Great described it masterfully in his Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliation and Penance. Every sin has its theological, social, personal, ecclesial and cosmic effect.

May we all make a concerted effort to form our conscience in the light of the Word of God and the Magisterial Teachings, and live according to our conscience. May the holiness, light and wisdom of Pope Saint John Paul the II be a true light on our path leading to the Light of Eternal Beatitude in Heaven!