2.  ANGELUS/REGINA CAELI.    This is the traditional Marian prayer prayed at various set intervals: 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 6:00 p.m.  Carrying out this prayerful practice serves to sanctify the morning through Mary, the afternoon through Mary and the evening though Mary.  The “Regina Caeli” replaces the Angelus for 50 days during the Easter Season.   Mary will always bring us closer to Jesus. Mary is the quickest, easiest and most efficacious path to Jesus.  “Shortcut” indeed she is to the Heart of Jesus!

3.  BLESS YOUR MEALS.   This traditional practice has fallen by the wayside far and wide by many Catholics.  Gratitude must be expressed often, but especially before we eat, keenly aware of the fact that 4000 people will die of hunger today— having had nothing to eat for days on end. Furthermore, by blessing the meals we are inviting Jesus, Mary and Joseph  to share the meal with us; there could  not be better company. The meal atmosphere will be much more peaceful and harmonious!   We imitate those  with whom we associate. Birds of the flock stick together!

4. FREQUENT SPIRITUAL COMMUNIONS.      Sacramental Communions can be received twice a  day, but spiritual communions can be received countless times.   St. Alphonsus Liguori, Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Exhortation “Sacramentum Caritatis”, and long tradition in Catholic practice has strongly encouraged the practice of making “Spiritual Communions”.  The reason: to constantly enkindle the love in our hearts for the Eucharistic Lord, in imitation of the disciples on the road to Emmaus who proclaimed exultantly:  “Did not our hearts burn within us as He explained the words to us and as he broke bread for us?” (Lk. 24).  Three ways that you can make a spiritual communion: a)  Invite Jesus into your heart spiritually and then pray the prayer, “Anima Christi… Soul of Christ, sanctify me…” giving thanks for this spiritual union.  b) Another way might be to pray the Hail Mary and after the Holy Name Jesus, say, “I receive you into my heart Lord…” then finish the Hail Mary. In this way, one is receiving Jesus spiritually through the heart of Mary.  C) The traditional prayer:  “Jesus   I believe that you are truly present Body, Blood Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist and in Holy Communion however,  I cannot receive you  sacramentally but come at least spiritually into my heart….Jesus I praise you, I love you and I worship you!”   This wonderful practice can keep the fire ablaze in your heart!

5. TEMPTATIONS REPELLED IMMEDIATELY.    The constant state of being for the Christian/Catholic is perpetual warfare; we are soldiers for Christ. The devil, the flesh, and the world surround us and try to submerge us.  Temptations come constantly from the devil; we must reject them immediately, manfully, constantly and until the end. This done, we do not sin but we grow in merit and the opposing virtue!  A soldier never tried at war cannot prove his virtue; a soldier of Christ likewise must be put to the test. No Easter Sunday without Good Friday; no crown without the victory. The battle must be fought bravely until the end. However, do not fight alone, but fight with Jesus and Mary at your side; let them do the fighting and the ultimate victory!

6.  INSPIRATIONS.   The opposite of temptation from the devil would be inspirations from the Holy Spirit.   In common lingo, we must catch the “good vibes”. We must elevate our spiritual antennae; have our “spiritual dish” tilted towards heaven and when the good spirit sends us his light, breeze and inspirations, we must say “Yes” and receive them! Generosity, docility, openness to the Holy Spirit and His divine inspirations is the key to growing in holiness.  “Come Holy Spirit, come, through Heart of Mary.”  If we  stay close the Immaculate heart of Mary, she can allow for this “Divine invasion” of the Holy Spirit, a renewed Pentecost!

And so, trusting in Your mercy, I walk through life like a little child, offering You each day this heart burning with love for Your greater glory. (Diary of Mercy in My soul # 2, St Faustina Maria Kowalska)

8. HOUR OF POWER: YOUR HOLY HOUR!   Read your points, the Gospel of the day the night before so that you ponder on the wonder of God, day and night, on your bed and even in your sleep. Be like the tree planted by the running waters that will bring forth abundant fruit in due time, having your spiritual foliage always green… (Psalm 1). In addition, pray more to Mary and the Holy Spirit so as to penetrate the depths of the Word of God and apply it to your life.   Did you learn to cook overnight?  Did you master a foreign language in one lesson?  Did you become a master artist in one painting?  Did you learn to drive in one lesson? Of course not!  Many of us have a “Micro-wave” spirituality in which we believe  we can be canonized mystics overnight!  We would like to hop in the “Spiritual microwave” and in 2 minutes be cooked into sanctity. Be patient with God, with yourself and life!  Persevere in prayer!

9.  MASS:  POWER OF A GOOD THANKSGIVING.  Good friends share a good meal together, but afterwards can sit back and enjoy each other’s company for a prolonged period of time. Friends simply like to be with each other, to share ideas, comment happenings, listen attentively to the other, laugh at humor together, and even at times weep, sharing the others’ grief.   St. Teresa of Avila defines prayer as spending  a long time alone in silence with the  FRIEND I know loves me.   The most abundant graces of Holy Communion are  lost for the simple reason that we do not have time or are too busy to spend time after Mass to be with the Lord. I am enchanted with the modern  saint  CHARBEL MAKLOUF.   The reason being: he received permission to say Holy Mass in his monastery at 12 noon because he could spend the whole morning in preparation for Holy Mass and then he could spend the whole afternoon in THANKSGIVING to God for that Mass and Holy Communion. Superb!  The focal point, the source and summit, the apex of all of his heart’s desire was HOLY MASS! Starting now, spend more quality time after Mass in intimate dialogue of friendship with the Lord. Never forget!  The word “Eucharist”—from the Greek—means “Thanksgiving”.   “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His mercy endures forever.”

10. MODEL IN MARY AND JESUS.  We all need models on which to pattern our lives; who better than Jesus and Mary?  Jesus pointed clearly to Himself:  “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Before acting, before making an important decision, before determining an important choice, why not look to Jesus and fix your eyes on Mary and then  WWJD/WWMD???   What would Jesus do if He were here?  Then, what would Mary do if she were to decide? Acting in this way, our lives will always reflect the most brilliant rays of sanctity!

2.   HOPE!  Despite all of the trials, afflictions, tribulations, contradictions in life, the belief in Jesus’ Risen life fills us with hope!

3.   HEAVEN.   The reason for an abounding hope is the firm belief in heaven that is right around the corner.  Jesus promised heaven to all believers and doers of His word.  “I go now to prepare a place for you so that where I am you might also be. In my Fathers’ home there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would not tell you so…”

4.   JOY.  St. Ignatius,  in the Spiritual Exercises of the fourth week, brings us into contact with the Risen Jesus and Ignatius insists that we beg not only for joy, but for the most intense joy. Joy is a powerful motivation to carry out great apostolic endeavors for the Lord!

5.  FAMILY REUNION!  The Risen Lord promises His faithful followers heaven and that means that we will be reunited with our loved ones and the saints who have preceded us.  It will be an endless banquet of the best of friends meeting and enjoying each other’s company for all eternity!

6.   SUFFERING!   Human nature recoils from suffering!  However, in the light of the Risen Lord, suffering  not only has meaning but eternal value. However, suffering has value only inasmuch as it is united to the suffering, passion death and Resurrection of Jesus.   Suffering either makes one better or bitter! If united to Christ’s suffering our suffering purifies, humbles, exalts, sanctifies and prepares us for eternal glory.  As Christians we must follow Christ, the whole way, from Good Friday, the hill of Calvary to the glory of the Risen Lord!  Jesus revealed to St. Faustina that the angels experience a holy envy for the human person and for two reasons: we can receive Holy Communion and we can suffer— meaning we can reap abundant fruit by uniting our suffering with the sufferings of Jesus!

7.   SHORTNESS OF LIFE/DURATION OF ETERNAL LIFE.   The impact of the Lord’s Resurrection manifests how ephemeral, transitory and fleeting is the human condition and how permanent and lasting is Heaven and the life with the Risen Lord.  Even the greatest and longest sufferings cannot be compared to ETERNAL LIFE IN THE LORD!   St. Paul expresses this beautifully:  “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

8.   SELF-CONTROL.   Life in the light of the Risen Lord challenges us to live a life of sobriety, self-restraint and self-control. Why?  Our bodies are destined to be united with the Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the angels and the saints. Therefore, we must live according to our dignity, our destiny, and our definition as persons— Temples of the Holy Trinity by baptism and grace!

9.     EUCHARIST/BREAD OF LIFE (Jn. 6  Bread of Life discourse). Never can we separate the meaning  of the Risen Lord Jesus from the reality of Jesus truly and substantially present in every Holy Mass, in every Consecration and in every Holy Communion, remembering Jesus’ promise of  heaven related to Holy Communion, the Bread of life!  Listen and meditate upon Jesus’ sublime and awesome words and promise:  “I am the Bread of Life, whoever eats my body and drinks my blood, will have eternal life and I will raise him up on the last day…” (Jn. 6:22-71)

2.    PLAN AND TO DECIDE TO FORGIVE ALWAYS AND AT ALL TIMES AND TILL THE END.     Be mentally and psychologically  prepared to the awareness that we will be hurt, offended during the whole course of our lives, often inadvertently and unwillingly, but even at times due to bad-will and malice!  A merciful attitude, frame of mind, heart-disposition is really half the battle!

3.     IMMEDIATE FORGIVENESS.   When hurt, forgive immediately!  If not, the heart becomes hardened, callouses grow around the heart. Then the hurt—like a foul and  festering wound— starts to putrefy and rot in our soul.  Resentment turns to anger, anger bitterness, bitterness often turns into jealously and envy; finally, the ripe fruit of a lack of forgiveness is hatred!  Good advice for spouses  is Biblical:  “Do not let the sun go down on your anger!” If done frequently, separation and divorce may not be in the distant future!

4.     BE MERCIFUL IN JUDGMENT.   Call to mind the first words that Jesus spoke on the cross, that first Good Friday:  “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”  Jesus actually excuses them! Maybe the person that offended you struggles with health problems, has lost a loved one, has a splitting headache, or some other unknown problem that has made him act irrationally resulting in hurting you! Cut him some slack!

5.    PRAY FOR HIM AND IMMEDIATLY.   Jesus unequivocally commands us to pray!  However, Jesus does not limit our prayers offered only for the good people we meet, those who smile at us, those who abound in complimenting us!  Rather, Jesus commands us to pray even for those we do not like, so far as to pray for our enemies, as He gave clear example to us as He hung on the cross!  Immediate prayer dissipates the fumes of anger like a spring breeze!

6.     COMPLIMENT HIM!   Saints are saints because they practice “Heroic virtue”.  That means they constantly practice virtue, day in and day out, without making a show and fanfare of it! St. Ignatius teaches in one of the rules for discernment,  the “Agere contra”— which means, to do the opposite of what your fallen nature dictates to you! Being hurt and wounded by another, the natural and carnal response obviously is that of revenge:  “Eye for eye and tooth for tooth”. Jesus and Ignatius’ rule teaches us to do the contrary!  Say something kind to the person, to the point of even complimenting him on some good attribute in his life!

7.     CALL TO MIND JESUS’ WORDS ON THE TOPIC OF FORGIVENESS.

a)    The Our Father.  “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

b)    “Blessed are the merciful, they shall receive mercy.”

c)      “Leave your gift at the altar and first be reconciled with your brother.”

d)    “No, I tell you!  Forgive not 7 times, but 70 times 7 times.”  Meaning forever!

e)    From the cross, once again: “Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”

8.    CONTEMPLATE JESUS CRUCIFIED: LOOK UP AT THE CROSS!  If the anger persists, why not spend some silent time contemplating Jesus hanging on the cross. Add to the contemplation, the repetition of  His words: “Father forgive  __________________ name the person….for He knows not what he is doing.”  The contemplation of the sufferings, pain and agony of Jesus on the cross, shedding His Precious Blood for my salvation as well as for “my enemy”, can be more than efficacious!

9.     CALL TO MIND YOUR OWN SINS AND GOD’S MERCY!   Indeed this may be very humbling experience but necessary: call to mind your most serious and embarrassing sin of your whole life!  Then  remember how God in His infinite mercy forgave you. Afterward, compare God’s forgiving your sin— probably much more serious than the one that offended you—and then see the  marked contrast!

10.  CONFESSION/ and or  SPIRITUAL DIRECTION.   St. Ignatius of Loyola in rule 13 for rules for discernment, strongly emphasizes the need to open up to a Confessor or a Spiritual Director in moments of turmoil, depression, temptation, and desolation.  Contrariwise, the devil encourages us to keep our secret struggles secret, thereby the devil works to magnify them, to cause them to fester, to turn the mole-hill into the mountain.  Once articulated one’s anger to a confessor or spiritual director is like dowsing a smoldering pot of coals with water! The anger subsides and it is easier to forgive!

11. MASS AND COMMUNION.   Of extraordinary potency in the spiritual life and battle is receiving Holy Communion as often as possible and as fervently as possible.    Enemies, people who have hurt us, memories of past wounds placed on the paten and lifted on high to the throne of Almighty God and then receiving Holy Communion for  this person that hurt me is very pleasing to God and very efficacious in changing my bitter heart into a heart of flesh and blood and merciful heart! Indeed contact with Jesus transforms us and the whole world!

In the Diary of Mercy in my soul, Jesus spoke to St. Faustina Kowlaska, as well as the   whole world about the greatness of His mercy, and often about His mercy related to the Sacrament of Confession.   For the Feast of Divine Mercy— the Sunday after Easter— Jesus promised an extraordinary grace for those who trust in His Divine mercy, but especially related to the Sacrament of Confession. Let us read and meditate attentively to this promise that Jesus offers to you and me!

On one occasion, I heard these words: “My daughter, tell the whole world about my inconceivable mercy. I desire that the Feast of Mercy be a refuge and shelter for all souls, and especially for poor sinners. On that day the very depths of My tender mercy are open. I pour out a whole ocean of graces upon those souls who approach the fount of mercy. The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain  complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day are open all the divine floodgates through which graces flow. Let no soul fear to draw near to me, even though his sins be as scarlet. My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or angel, will be able to fathom it throughout all eternity. Everything that exists has come forth from My very most tender mercy. Every soul in its relation to me will contemplate My love and mercy throughout eternity. The Feast of Mercy emerged from My very depths of tenderness. It is My desire that it be solemnly celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter. Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of my Mercy.” (   Diary of Mercy to Saint Faustina # 699) 

These words should move the very depths of our soul to place total, limitless trust in Jesus, the King of Mercy, especially in drawing close to the Sacrament of His Mercy, the Sacrament of Confession, and thereby receive mercy and grace beyond telling!  We will continue to enumerate more graces that descend upon the soul who has frequent recourse to confession!

1.     PRAYER DEPTH.    With peace of soul and clarity of conscience the heart and soul of the one who trusts in God’s mercy through confession, has opened the window of his life to a divine invasion of prayer.  Jesus, in the Beatitudes expressed this clearly:  “Blessed are the pure of heart, they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8).  A heart, made pure through sacramental confession can hear God’s voice more clearly and contemplate His face with greater clarity!

2.     COMPASSIONATE HEART TOWARDS OTHERS.   An honest and sincere penitent, having fallen many times and being forgiven as many, cultivates a more compassionate, merciful and forgiving attitude towards the rest of sinful humanity. Why?  For the simple reason that all of the sins that others have committed, we can all commit, if it were not for the grace of God! St. Philip Neri, on seeing a bum stated: “There go I save the grace of God!”

3.     PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.   The Sacrament of Confession has as its specific sacramental grace that of healing the wounds contracted by sin.  Confession—by means of a medical comparison—can either be used as “Curative medicine” or “preventive medicine”. Once I felt a cold descending upon me!  Immediately, I had recourse to “Airborne!”—a medicine with a high concentration of Vitamin C! Long story short, the cold was avoided!   Therefore, frequent confession with a good preparation and firm purpose of amendment can actually help to prevent a huge fall—that of mortal sin!  Better preventing the broken leg, than to break it and go through the long process of healing and the aftereffects! For that reason, women are encouraged to pursue mammograms: better to prevent breast cancer, then to have it!

4.      JOY!    Sin destroys joy in the soul!  In reality, sin is the antithesis of joy!  The Holy Spirit gives us the 7 Gifts and if we correspond to the Gifts then the fruits on the tree are many and one of these is JOY! Many people have sad faces, long looks, cemetery countenances, vinegar looks!  All is related to the sin residing in the recesses of the soul!  The reality and knowledge of God’s mercy and forgiveness results in an overflowing joy of heart, mind and soul.   The Parable of the Prodigal Son/Merciful Father resounds with the “Joy” of the Banquet offered to the Prodigal son forgiven and welcomed home! The Father said to the elder son, “We have to rejoice, because he was lost and has been found; he was dead and has returned to life.” (Lk. 15).

5.   SHIELD AND PROTECTION FROM THE ATTACKS OF THE DEVIL.   Once forgiven, Jesus gives further graces to fight the good fight, to run the good race so as to win the victory and receive the reward of the champion.  The spiritual life is a constant combat— St. Ignatius and the two standards! Through Confession, the Lord bestows on his soldier the spiritual armor ammunition, shield to ward off better the fiery darts and bullets of the devil who is like a roaring lion seeking to devour the naïve and innocent!  The Blood of Jesus, given in Confession, serves as a powerful shield!

6.    MORE FRUITFUL HOLY COMMUNIONS:  CLEAR WINDOW PANE.   A window pane that has been sprayed, rubbed with a newspaper and polished becomes transparent. The sunlight can pass through this window fully; whereas a dirty window, partially opaque, blocks a good part of the sunlight.   Jesus, the Light of the world, works in the same way in the souls that He visits.  A black soul, stained by Mortal sin, He enters with disgust; a dirty soul, He enters but somewhat reluctantly; however, a pure and humble soul He rushes in with abundance and joy.   For this reason, a soul cleansed by the Blood of Jesus through confession, prepares a worthy and joyful entrance to the Eucharistic Lord!

7.     THE CHURCH REJOICES AND IS SANCTIFIED.     The poet Wordsworth penned the line: “No one is an island unto himself.”  When an individual sins, then the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ, suffers due to that one sin. On the other hand, when a member of the Church does well, the whole church is sanctified.  St. Therese the Little Flower stated that we either lift the church up to heaven by our good actions or pull it down by our bad actions.  A good confession elevates the Church closer to heaven!

8.     GOOD EXAMPLE.   It is  not rare that a good example pulls others into following suit.  I remember once as a child, my fear to go to confession—a paralyzing fear. But then something happened: a family member went to confession and came out smiling. That joy of the smile from the confession of my family member broke the ice for me and I made a good confession, and have been going to confession frequently ever since!

9.    VICES ARE WEAKENED AND VIRTUES STRENGTHENED.     The grace of the Sacrament of Confession works to weaken the power of sin and vice in our soul and to strengthen virtues.  Falling again into the same sin should not dishearten us. The principle of graduality teaches us that often we cannot overcome sin immediately!  It takes time, effort, and above all grace in abundance! Frequent confession serves to diminish the frequency of sin as well as to diminish the gravity of sin.   In the life of St. Mary of Egypt— who lived a life of great sexual disorder—after her conversion, it took her close to the same number of years to conquer the sin that she practiced for so many years!  Patience!  Jesus said that by your patience you will save your souls!