Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8^TH   Mt. 25: 1-13 “The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.”

• Five wise virgins brought oil for their lamps, and five foolish Virgins failed to bring oil for their lamps. The lamp represents our soul, and the oil is sanctifying grace in our soul. The foolish virgins ran out of oil which represents mortal sin.
• The remedy for mortal sin is to make a good confession to a priest. However, we know not the hour nor the day when the bridegroom will return. If we die with no oil in our lamp, that is, in the state of mortal sin, we are lost for all eternity!
• Today, let us meditate on another Virgin whose soul was always filled with the oil of sanctifying grace; she alone is called the full of grace. She can help us stay in the state of sanctifying grace and so be ready when the Bridegroom comes for us, we know not the hour nor the day! The Virgin’s name is Mary.

Part 1: The Virgin’s Name was Mary by Saint Bernard, Doctor of the Church
Part 2: A HAPPY AND VICTORIOUS ENDING by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

PART 1: The Virgin’s Name was Mary…   From a homily by Saint Bernard, Doctor of the Church

“And the Virgin’s name was Mary.” Let us now say a few words about this name, which means “Star of the Sea” and is so becoming to the Virgin Mother.

Surely she is very fittingly likened to a star. The star sends forth its ray without harm to itself. In the same way the Virgin brought forth her son with no injury to herself. The ray no more diminishes the star’s brightness than does the Son His mother’s integrity.

Mary is indeed that noble star risen out of Jacob whose beam enlightens this earthly globe. She it is whose brightness both twinkles in the highest heaven and pierces the pit of hell, and is shed upon the earth, warming our hearts far more than our bodies, fostering virtue and cauterizing vice.

She is that splendid and wondrous star suspended as by necessity over this great wide sea, radiant with merit and brilliant in example.

O you, whoever you are, who feel that in the tidal wave of this world you are nearer to being tossed about among the squalls and gales than treading on dry land, if you do not want to flounder in the tempest, do not avert your eyes from the brightness of this star.

When the wind of temptation blows up within you, when you strike upon the rock of tribulation, gaze up at this star, call out to Mary.  

Whether you are being tossed about by the waves of pride or ambition or slander or jealousy, gaze up at this star, call out to Mary. When rage or greed or fleshly desires are battering the skiff of your soul, gaze up at Mary.   

When the immensity of your sins weighs you down and you are bewildered by the loathsomeness of your conscience, when the terrifying thought of judgment appalls you and you begin to flounder in the gulf of sadness and despair, think of Mary.  

In dangers, in hardships, in every doubt, think of Mary, call out to Mary. Keep her in your mouth, keep her in your heart. Follow the example of her life and you will obtain the favor of her prayer. Following her, you will never go astray. Asking her help, you will never despair. Keeping her in your thoughts, you will never wander away. With your hand in hers, you will never stumble.

With her protecting you, you will not be afraid. With her leading you, you will never tire. Her kindness will see you through to the end. Then you will know by your own experience how true it is that “the Virgin’s name was Mary.”

PART 2: A HAPPY AND VICTORIOUS ENDING by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

As a young man, Saint Francis de Sales was assaulted with thoughts of confusion, sadness, and near-despair. Due to erroneous theological ideas—that of Jansenism—Francis could barely eat or sleep, and life proved to be an almost unbearable cross. However, an occurrence took place that radically transformed the life of this young man. Entering into a Church dedicated to Mary, under the title Our Lady of Victories, the young Francis knelt down in front of a beautiful image of the Blessed Virgin Mary. There he found a prayer to Mary, commonly known as the Memorare, attributed to the Doctor of the Church, the Mellifluous Doctor, Saint Bernard. With all of his heart, mind, soul, and strength, Francis prayed this prayer to Mary:

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known, that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of Virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee do I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.”

A MIRACULOUS CHANGE: THE CLOUD LIFTED! After praying this prayer with fervor and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, a miracle occurred in young Francis. The dense cloud of sadness, almost despair—lifted, dissipated, and vanished, as if it were, into thin air! The sad, melancholic, and hopeless disposition that had almost consumed him, was transformed in the depths of his soul into peace, happiness, joy, and renewed hope! He was a new young man! This miraculous transformation can certainly be attributed to the powerful intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who never fails to come to the rescue of her children! From that moment on, Frances had an intimate, filial, tender, and dynamic love and devotion to Mary, which was manifested in his frequent praying of the Memorare.

HIGHWAY TO HOLINESS.  Surmounting this interior obstacle, young Francis went on with his studies—that of Law. But this was not his real vocation! The young man studied and was ordained a priest. He became a great missionary in Chablis, Switzerland, where thousands were converted back to Catholicism from Calvinism, largely due to the holiness and apostolic zeal of Father Francis de Sales. He was consecrated a Bishop when he was only in his thirties! Thereafter he dedicated a huge block of his evangelizing efforts to writing. Two of his literary masterpieces were Introduction to the Devout Life and Treatise on Love. Not having reached sixty years of age, Francis passed away. Now we know him as Saint Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church.

The purpose of this short story on the life of Saint Francis de Sales is to highlight the supreme importance of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the life of this saint! Having stood on the edge of the steep precipice of despair, it was due to the powerful intercession of Mary through the Marian prayer attributed to Saint Bernard, the Memorare, that Frances surmounted this overwhelming interior roadblock.

OUR HOPE AND PRAYER.  It is our final hope and prayer that in imitation of Saint Francis de Sales, this great Saint and Doctor of the Church, as well as the many other great saints and lovers of Mary, that you will have frequent, filial recourse to Mary. We hope  your knowledge, love, devotion, and trust in Mary will soar high as the eagle soars! We hope and pray that Mary, your gentle, loving, and all-powerful Mother, will have a central place in your life and your heart with Jesus, your Lord and Savior! Your heart in the Hearts of Jesus and Mary, and this forever! Therefore, may you wake up each day and consecrate yourself to Jesus through Mary. May you walk and talk to Mary throughout your day as your friend, guide, companion, and Mother—your life, your sweetness, and your hope. In your joys, may you rejoice with Mary, and in your sorrows, may you weep with Mary. In your moments of trial and temptation, may you seek refuge in Mary, the modern Noah’s Ark!

FINAL DESIRE.  And of greatest importance, we pray that Our Lady will be present to you at all times, but most especially in the hour of your death, in the last minute of your death, in the last second of your death. May it be through the powerful intercession of Mary that you die in the state of grace, which is the grace of all graces! So that upon dying, you will open your eyes to be welcomed into the eternal and loving embrace of Jesus, the Son of Mary, who will be your Lord, God, King, Friend and Lover for all eternity! Through Mary, may the end of your life be a HAPPY AND VICTORIOUS ENDING!

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Saturday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7^TH Lk. 16: 9-15 “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.”

• It is important to be trustworthy in prayer. Prayer is first of all an act of faith. Prayer is the beginning of conversion – turning our heart to God!! This is our daily holy hour. This is our daily conversation with Jesus. This is the basis of our growing friendship with Jesus! It is through our faithfulness to prayer that Jesus is able to unite Himself to us, and us to Him.

Part 1: Being Faithful to Prayer… by Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (+1641) 
Part 2: PATIENCE: THE VIRTUE WE ALL NEED!!! By Father Ed Broom, OMV

PART 1:

Being Faithful to Prayer…   by Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (+1641)  

Prayer draws waters from heaven, which descent and rise from us to God and from God to us. It is the first act of our faith. Consequently what the Apostle says of faith, that without it, it is impossible to please God, we must say of prayer! It is the way by which we ask God and Jesus Christ, who is our only Deliverer, to save us, because we feel in ourselves such great motions of infirmity, that, if He sustained us not every moment by new graces, we should perish.

When the time for placing ourselves in the presence of His divine goodness and to speak alone to Him is come, which we call prayer, the sole presence of our spirit before His and of His before ours forms the prayer, whether we have good thoughts and good sentiments, or whether we have not. It is only necessary, with all simplicity, without making any violent effort of spirit, to keep ourselves before Him, with motions of love and the attention of our whole soul, without voluntary distractions. Then the whole time that we are on our knees will be taken for a prayer in God’s sight. He loves our humble suffering of the vain and involuntary thoughts, which then attack us, as much as the best thoughts we have had at other times.

One of the most excellent forms of prayer is the loving desire of our heart towards God and the suffering of things which displease us. Prayer is then united to patience, which is the first of virtues, and the soul, which thus rises humbly from the midst of its distractions, may believe that it has prayed as well as if it had not suffered from them at all.

It is a mark of simplicity and even of the love of God to make our requests to Him without wishing to constrain Him to give us anything, but only so much and so far as it shall please Him. He is ravished by the prayer of such a soul, so simple, so humble, so submissive to His will. 

PART 2:

PATIENCE: THE VIRTUE WE ALL NEED!!! By Father Ed Broom, OMV

There is not one person in the world who could say that he does not need the virtue of patience. Jesus said: By your patience you will save your soul. (Lk. 21:19) Given that this virtue is universal and not easy to attain, that will be our topic for conversation in this brief article!

PATIENCE FOR WHOM?  You might stop and look at your life and ask the question: with whom, where, and when do I need the virtue of patience? Not to be overly simplistic, but I believe we can narrow this question to three distinct categories:   
1) We have to be patient with others—those we live with, those we meet, those we work with, those we associate with, those we come in contact with either frequently or less frequently.
2) Another very important category or person we must exercise constant and infinite patience with is ourselves, yes, with ourselves! 
3) The last person whom we must practice patience with may not be obvious at first, and that is GOD!!!

PATIENCE WITH OTHERS. This being said, we must be keenly aware of the hard and cruel fact that people will rub us the wrong way, get on our nerves, provoke us, exasperate us, and sometimes simply drive us bananas—to put it bluntly! As you read this article, I am sure that you have some person in mind, more likely, some persons in mind! Certain idiosyncrasies of others—their tone of voice, the pace they move at, their facial expression, the words they use or fail to use, drive you up the wall or almost drive you crazy! We all know these people, have had contact with them, and probably still do even right now! What then are we going to do to remedy this predicament?!

Easier said than done—the solution to this problem of patience with the person or persons who seem to be intolerable! Let us offer three simple suggestions that can be invaluable!

First, PRAYER!  Jesus says that we have to pray, and not simply for those people whom we see as charming, attractive, likeable, holy and unblemished—as if these people really do exist anyway!!! No! We must pray for all people because they were created by a loving God, and God wants all of humanity to form a family in which the virtues of love, compassion, mercy, and respect reign supreme! Jesus says very clearly that we have to pray even for our enemies, as He taught us on the cross: Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing. (Lk. 23:34)

Second, HUMILITY!  Be humble in the midst of your dislike of this person who drives you up the wall due to the many defects that you observe in them. Remember and call to mind your own many defects which might be more serious in the eyes of God than those of the person that you really cannot stand! God loves the humble, but rejects the arrogant and proud. When tempted to look down on this person, call to mind one of your most egregious failures or sins and God’s mercy towards you. This will help you to be more compassionate, kind, and PATIENT toward this intolerable person!

Third, AGERE CONTRA! Put into practice what Saint Ignatius of Loyola teaches in the course of the Spiritual Exercises and it is the concept of AGERE CONTRA! This is a short Latin phrase which literally means to go against! Therefore, when you are tempted to be impatient, unkind, cold or downright mean to this person who presses your buttons, do the opposite. Give them a smile, a kind word, a nice gesture, or even a small gift—all this is difficult but very pleasing to God! This conquering of self, though challenging, is possible, and once done a true sign of the victory of God’s grace in your life!

PATIENCE WITH ONESELF. Now what about patience with oneself??? Those who are so-called perfectionists will always end up defrauded, especially with themselves. Why? For the simple reason that we live in a complex and very imperfect world, better yet a sinful world! Only God is perfect and all of humanity is composed of sinners, hopefully on the pathway of conversion! The Bible teaches us that the just man falls seven times a day. Jesus says that we must forgive those who offend us not seven times, but 70 times seven times.

In other words, even though we have to be constantly fighting to overcome our sinful tendencies, as well as sin itself in our lives, we should strive never to give in to impatience at our many falls, much less discouragement. Indeed, the saints teach us that after sin itself, discouragement is mortal enemy number one! Patience: name it and claim it!

The Founder of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, Venerable Bruno Lanteri expressed it in two short words, and these two words say it all! NUNC COEPI!!! Meaning: NOW I BEGIN!!! In other words, after we fall or fail in one way or another, we should get up, dust ourselves off, launch ourselves into the loving arms of God the Father (the image of Saint Therese of Lisieux), and simply start anew! We should trust more in God’s grace, than in our human weakness remembering the words of the great Apostle Saint Paul: When I am weak, it is then that I am strong! (2 Cor 12:10) The Missionary of California, Saint Junipero Serra coined this immortal phrase: Siempre Adelante, siempre Adelante y nunca atras! Or Always forward, always forward and never turn back! Therefore, when we do fall (and no doubt we will fall!!!) we should never give in to discouragement, but rather trust less in ourselves and more in God’s power in our lives! In other words, less self-reliance and more God-reliance! With the Psalmist let us exclaim: Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth! (PS. 124:8)

PATIENCE WITH GOD. Finally, the last and most important Person to be patient with is God Himself! This may surprise many who in their hearts might be thinking: I have never been impatient with God! O really! Have you ever prayed to God and not been answered according to your criteria? Have you ever asked God to help you in sickness and suffering and it seemed as if God was not listening, absent, or totally indifferent to your situation? Has it ever happened that you made a novena to God, to Mary, or to one of God’s angels or saints and the request made was not answered; instead, your situation seemed to get even worse? Has it ever happened that you prayed for the conversion of someone dear to you and absolutely nothing seemed to happen? Has it ever happened in your life that you begged God with faith for the mountain to be moved, and when you got up the following morning, the mountain had not moved or even budged a millimeter? With these prayers or petitions and unresolved problems or aggravating circumstances where it seemed as if God did not care, was indifferent, or even uninterested in your sorrowful plight, there is a good chance that you became impatient with God to the point of even becoming angry at God. This plight is more common than we are aware of!!!

What then is the response to this predicament? Very simply the following. Our God is a God of Infinite Love! Our God is a God of Infinite Wisdom! However, the mind of God is not the mind of man. His ways far transcend and supersede ours in knowledge, wisdom, love, and planning. We can barely see beyond our nose and we live in a specific moment of time. Not so with God! He lives in the Eternal Present. For an Infinite and Eternal God, the past, present, and future are all the same. This being said, for the sake of our conversion, sanctification, perseverance in grace, and eternal salvation, God’s plans and decisions will not always meet with our criteria. However, we must believe in God’s Loving and Providential Design! All God does for you individually, personally, socially, and spiritually is always—in the broad and panoramic perspective and in the light of eternity—for your good. Therefore, strive never to be impatient with God but trust Him, trust totally and humbly in His Infinite Love and Providential Care for you. Beg Our Lady, who stood beneath the cross watching Jesus suffer and die for our sins, to help you have great trust and patience in God’s plan for your life!

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Friday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6^TH Lk. 16: 1-8   For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.”

 Part 1: Being a Good Steward by Saint Catherine of Siena
Part 2: PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN SURROUNDED BY WOLVES by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Being a Good Steward  by Saint Catherine of Siena (+1380)

There are specific things I am asking you, in your position, to do for the love of Christ crucified. The first is to make light of the world and of yourself and of all earthly pleasures. For you know well that life, health, wealth, honor, status, dominion – none of these belongs to you. If they did, you could own them in your own way. But just when we want to be healthy, we are sick; just when we want to be alive, we die; just when we want to be rich, we are poor; just when we want to be in power, we are made servants.

And all this because these things are not ours, and we can keep them only as much and as long as it pleases the One who lent them to us. So it is really foolish to hold as if it were our own what belongs to Another; it is, in fact, thievery worthy of death. This is why I am asking you to act wisely, as a good steward, holding everything as lent to you who have been made God’s steward.  End 

• All that we are and all that we have is God’s grace and Providence in our life. The only thing that belongs to us is our sins! Therefore, Saint Catherine of Siena reminds us: “It is really foolish to hold as if it were our own what belongs to Another.” This is especially true of our children, entrusted to us by God to protect, defend, and nurture into adulthood.
• Today more than ever, parents need to be aware of the dangers threatening their children and how to protect them. And if we don’t have children, we know people who do, and they need our prayers and support against this present darkness!

PROTECTING OUR CHILDREN SURROUNDED BY WOLVES by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

A Good Shepherd is intent on protecting his sheep from the ravenous wolves on the prowl seeking the prey. Such a shepherd knows where the wolves come from, when they attack, and how they attack. The authentic Good Shepherd is even willing to lay down his own life for the sake of the safety of the sheep. (Jn. 10: 1-18)

Of course the best model in the world of the Good Shepherd is Jesus Himself. He says the Good Shepherd is willing to lay down his life and die for the sheep entrusted to his care.  The welfare of the sheep supersedes and transcends the value of the Shepherd Himself.

Jesus’ death on the cross on Good Friday is the most eloquent proof of the love of the Good Shepherd for the sheep under his care. The Precious Blood that He shed on the cross shows most clearly and convincingly His limitless love for His Sheep.

Never have we lived in a world where there are so many wolves on the prowl to attack, bite, devour, and kill the sheep of our flock—that is to say our children and teens! Therefore, parents must be in training formation so as to be able to protect their children from these prowling wolves.

We would like to offer a spiritual strategy plan that could be of great use to help us to be that Good Shepherd that Jesus our Good Shepherd wants us to be.

1. BAPTISM AND CONSECRATION TO MARY. Parents should provide and procure the Baptism of their child as soon as possible. With the Baptism, in the same ceremony, they should consecrate their child to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. One of the special intentions will be to protect the child from the ravenous wolves that are on the prey to attack and kill. In our spiritual battle, we should prepare for war as early as possible and be well safeguarded and protected by a sacramental life and protection from the Virgin Mary, whose prayers and protection are most powerful.

2. PRAYER. Family prayer is of the essence. Parents are the first educators of their children, especially in the path of faith and love for God. One of the essential elements of our faith is PRAYER. With respect to prayer, parents should faithfully carry out three fundamental tasks:
1) Pray for the protection, welfare, and salvation of their children.
2) Then parents should teach their children to pray and as early as possible. Children are like sponges, they absorb either good or bad. The other day I listened to one of my relatives, a child of only two years of age, recite the Creed! This is a sign of good parents working at a very tender age with their little one. Let us not underestimate the capacity and potentiality of the child. Jesus said: “Let the little children come to me.” (Mt. 19: 14)  
3) Finally, parents should pray with their children. The Rosary is a prayer most pleasing to Jesus and Mary. How often have we heard: “The family that prays together, stays together.”  (Ven. Father Patrick Peyton).

3. CONTROL ELECTRONICS WORLD. Parents, as the Good Shepherds of their flock, must strive to control the use of the electronics world in the lives of their children. Television, movies, but most especially the use of the INTERNET must be supervised constantly on the part of parents. As daunting a task as this may seem, still this is the responsibility of parents—the Good Shepherds of their flock. Allowing free access and use of the Internet for children and teens has proven catastrophic in too many cases. The number one addiction in the USA is that of pornography—the abuse of the electronic world, specifically the Internet. How true this sage proverb: “Better preventive medicine, than curative medicine.”

4. LIVE THE SABBATH DAY WITH YOUR FAMILY. Sunday is the Lord’s Day and it should be lived fully and properly according to God’s plan. But Sunday, after being the Lord’s Day, is also FAMILY DAY! After attending the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and receiving Holy Communion in one of our outdoor Churches, then you are ready to enjoy family time and bond with family members. How? Start with a good meal or picnic together. Go to the park to play together, rest together, and enjoy each other’s company. Take a nature walk and thank God for the beauty of His creation. Once Covid-19 is over, visit an elderly or sick person who is abandoned, giving this person joy and hope. At night have a pizza party and watch a good movie together; there are many good Christian movies and Saint movies to watch as a way of working on the spiritual formation of your children. After the movie, talk together about the values that were transmitted. Finally, to end the day, pray the family Rosary together. This is the way to live out the Sabbath rest and to bond emotionally with family members.

5. FRIENDS. The Bible teaches us that a good friend is indeed a great treasure beyond price. The poet says that no one is an island unto himself. Aristotle says that man is a social animal. Jesus Himself willed to enter the world in a family and choose the Apostles as His friends. We all need friends, or at least one good friend. However, parents must be very careful and judicious in watching over the choice of friends that their children desire. One bad friend can ruin their lives. Indeed, we should define what a good friend is and not a pseudo (or false) friend. As followers of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, a true friend is someone that brings us closer to Jesus our BEST FRIEND. This should always be our first criteria for ourselves and our children!

6. IDLENESS IS THE WORKSHOP OF THE DEVIL. Saint John Bosco had a dreaded fear every year for his young when it was the vacation months. He was aware of the many temptations that young people are exposed to when they have too much free time on their hands. It is so true: if we have nothing to do, the devil will give us a lot to do! Look at the sin of King David in the Old Testament who committed adultery and then murder. One of the principal reasons for David falling into sin was that he had a block of free time and no plans. Good parents, as Good Shepherds to their flock, should always have their children, and especially their teens constantly engaged in wholesome and enriching activities. We should always be busy—though not nervously frenetic and agitated. Our engagement can basically be in three areas: physically, mentally, or spiritually. Sports for young people are invaluable to keep the body occupied in a wholesome manner. The habit of reading good books so as to cultivate the mind will never be regretted, especially age-appropriate lives of the Saints can be inspiring! A strong and holy mind can do limitless good for the society; take Aquinas, John Paul II, and Augustine as examples! Finally, spiritual activity is of paramount importance. On holidays and vacation time there is no reason why parents—the Good Shepherds of their flock—cannot go with their children to daily Mass and receive Holy Communion, the Bread of Life and the strength of the saints and martyrs. Monthly Confession as a family is strongly recommended for peace in each one’s heart and harmony as a family!

7. COMMUNICATION. Busy work schedules, paying the bills, shopping for groceries, being caught in traffic jams, all of the above characterize modern life and sometimes can serve as an excuse to neglect a very important component of family life—dialogue and communication between parents and children. The modern man, woman, and teenager unfortunately spend more time in front of the screen than in front of a human person. In the eyes of God, the human person has infinitely more value than all of the material objects in the world. Many young people today are addicted to the internet and all that is involved in the electronic world. In a certain sense we can say that many young people live more in a fantasy world than in the real world. Parents, for the love of God and the future of your children, find time to talk with and listen to your children! This is your responsibility!

8. LAUGHTER AND JOY IS THE BEST MEDICINE. One of the many fruits of the Holy Spirit is that of JOY! Parents should strive to cultivate an environment of joy in their home. The family milieu should have an aroma and ambience of joy so that after school their children do not dread returning home—as if to a jail or penitentiary—but rather to a place of joy, peace, harmony, and wholesome rest. Many young people have recourse to premarital sex, drinking, and drugs or even seek gang involvement, because there is no festive, welcoming, and joyful family environment in their homes. Beg the Holy Spirit for the grace to experience joy and share it with your children. Saint Paul exhorts us: “Rejoice in the Lord; I say it again: rejoice in the Lord.” (Phil. 2: 2)

9. MERCY AND FORGIVENESS. The English poet, Alexander Pope, coined an immortal saying that all of us should memorize and live: “To err is human; to forgive is divine.” Only God is perfect and the just man falls seven times a day. The family is a school of virtues and a school of forgiveness. We can all hurt other family members by our words, gestures, silences, inattentiveness, and at times, crude selfishness. However, that which can really tear down families to the very foundation is to fail to forgive and instead to foster resentments and bitterness against any family member. Jesus’ last commandment was: “Love one another, as I have loved you.” (Jn. 13: 34) Jesus also said: “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful.”  (Lk. 6: 36) Finally, in the most famous prayer in the world, the Our Father, we pray: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Starting today, right now, let us reconcile with each other and foster family peace, harmony, and love.

10. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE AND WEEP WITH THOSE WHO WEEP! Saint Paul enjoins us in the above words! The family should cultivate what the athlete’s term, TEAM WORK! A successful team always rejoices in the success of one of the team members and suffers at the failure of one of the team members. When a baseball team, or basketball team, or football team wins a game or championship, it is not the victory of one member, but all of the members playing and working together towards the same goal. Likewise, whenever a family member triumphs—morally, spiritually, physically or intellectually—then all the other members of the family should rejoice in this victory. Jealousy and envy can kill; rejoicing together in love builds up families and triumphs.

In conclusion, the family today is surrounded by a pack of ravenous wolves that desire to attack and destroy. It is up to parents, the Good Shepherds of the flock entrusted to their care, to do all in their power to protect, preserve, and save their children. The key to being a good shepherd to the sheep in our care is that we must first be a good sheep of the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Lord. “The Lord is my Shepherd, there is nothing I shall lack.” (Psalm 23: 1)

Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Thursday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5^TH Lk. 15: 1-10  ” I tell you there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

 Seek me Lord, I need you! by Saint Ambrose

The shepherd in the Gospel left the ninety-nine sheep and went after the one that had strayed… There are grounds for preferring the stray sheep to the others. The truth is that it is a greater thing to turn back from one’s sins than scarcely to have committed any! When souls are steeped in sin, not only do they need perfect human virtue to mend their ways, but heavenly grace is also necessary!

When the shepherd has at last found the sheep, he places it on his shoulders. The symbolism represents humanity, worn out and exhausted, incapable of restoration to health except by the mystery of the Passion and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I am your servant, Lord; come in search for me, for unless the shepherd seeks out the stray, it will die. Return is still possible for the one who is lost; he can still be recalled to the right path. Come, then Lord Jesus, seek your servant, seek your exhausted sheep. Come as shepherd of the flock, seeking your sheep that went astray. Leave your ninety-nine sheep there and come in search of the one that is lost. Come, not with rod in hand, but in a spirit of love and gentleness.

Seek me, Lord; I need you. Seek me, find me, lift me up, carry me. You are expert at finding what you search for; and when you have found the stray you stoop down, lift him up, and place him on your own shoulders. To you he is a burden of love, not an object of revulsion; it is no irksome task to you to bring justification to the human race. Come then, Lord, I have gone astray, but I still hold on to the hope of healing. Come, Lord; none but you can bring back your erring sheep.

ALL YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CONFESSION by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

One of the greatest gifts that Jesus, our Merciful Savior, gave to the Church and to each and every one of us personally, is the Sacrament of Confession. If we really understood this great Sacrament, then we would have recourse to it with greater faith, trust, frequency, and preparation.

The purpose of this catechetical work is to heighten our awareness of really what the Sacrament of Confession is, how better to receive it, and consequently derive spiritual fruit in abundance from the reception of this wonderful Sacrament instituted by Jesus, our Lord, God, Savior, as well as our Divine Physician.

LITERARY STYLE.  The literary style that we will follow and develop will be that of a brief but concise and clear catechesis on the Sacrament of Confession. We hope and pray that all will profit immensely by this work, and hope that many souls will be drawn back to the Merciful Heart of Jesus who beckons all to come to Him: “Come to me all of you who are weary and I will give your rest..” (Mt 11:28)

50 THINGS YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION!

1. WHO instituted the Sacrament of Confession?  As is true with all of the seven Sacraments, it was Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who instituted the Sacrament of Confession.
2. WHEN was the Sacrament of Confession instituted?  How wonderful and providential is God’s love for us! Jesus actually instituted the Sacrament of Confession on the day He rose from the dead—Easter Sunday evening.
3. WHERE was this Sacrament instituted?  That first Easter Sunday night the Sacrament of Confession was instituted in the Upper Room that we call The Cenacle.
4. WHAT CONTEXT?  The Apostles were locked in the Upper Room filled with fear of the Roman soldiers when Jesus came through the door and breathed on them the Holy Spirit.
5. WHAT WERE THE WORDS OF THE INSTITUTION?  Upon breathing the Holy Spirit on the Apostles, Jesus said these words thereby instituting the Sacrament of Confession: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they shall be forgiven; whose sins you bind, they shall be held bound.”
6. WHERE IS THIS TO BE FOUND IN THE BIBLE?  This short episode can be found in the fourth Gospel of Saint John—Jn 20: 21-23.
7. WHO HAS THE POWER TO FORGIVE SINS?  It is only Jesus who has the power to forgive sins, and all sins, because sin is an offense against God.
8. THE PRIEST.  However, in His infinite wisdom and Divine Providence, Jesus chose men that we call priests to be the ministers and the instruments through which Jesus forgives sins.
9. BUT THE PRIEST IS A SINNER HIMSELF!  It is true that the priest is himself a sinner and has to go to confession to another priest to have his sins forgiven. However, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and the permission of the local Ordinary, the Bishop, the priest is given the power to forgive sins in the name of Jesus and the Church, His Mystical Body.
10. WHO SHOULD GO TO CONFESSION?  All should have recourse to the Sacrament of Confession and the reason is as clear as the sunshine at midday: all are sinners and have fallen short of the glory of God
11. THE PLACE?  The name of the traditional place to confess is simply called The Confessional.
12. CAN WE CONFESS DIRECTLY TO GOD???  No, this is wrong! Jesus wants us to confess our sins through the person of the priest, as evident when He instituted the Sacrament of Confession that first Easter Sunday night.
13. WHEN MUST WE CONFESS?  The Easter Duty commands us to confess at least once a year, but this is a minimalist view of this Sacrament. The saints of the past and good spiritual directors encourage the practice of frequent confession.
14. FREQUENT CONFESSION?  While it cannot be specified mathematically, it is a good practice to strive to go to confession at least once a month.
15. WHAT ARE QUALITIES OF A GOOD CONFESSION?  In the Diary of Saint Faustina Kowalska, Divine Mercy in My Soul, three qualities were highlighted that make a good confession: transparency, humility, and obedience!
16. TRANSPARENCY?  This means the penitent is as clear, honest, and sincere as possible.
17. HUMILITY?  This means the penitent tells the absolute truth without trying to justify, rationalize, or minimize the reality of the sins confessed.
18. OBEDIENCE?  The penitent obeys the counsel and advice of the confessor who actually represents Jesus, and faithfully carries out the penance given.
19. NAMES FOR THIS SACRAMENT?  There are various names for this wonderful Sacrament? Confession, Penance, Reconciliation, Mercy, Forgiveness. All represent a different dimension of this great Sacrament.
20. WHAT ARE THE FIVE CLASSIC STEPS FOR MAKING A GOOD CONFESSION?  Examination of conscience, contrition, firm purpose of amendment, confession of sins to the priest, and carrying out the penance given by the priest.
21. EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE?  One of the best ways is to purchase of a good booklet explaining the Ten Commandments, then read and examine one’s life based on the Ten Commandments.
22. CONTRITION?  This means that we must have true sorrow for our sins to make a good confession.
23. ATTRITION / IMPERFECT CONTRITION?  This is sorrow for serious sin due to Fear of the Lord—one of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It means that one is sorry for their sins due to fear of the punishment of God. This is good, but perfect contrition is better.
24. PERFECT CONTRITION?  This should be our aim! We are sorry for our sins because we hurt Jesus who loves us so much that He died on the cross for us. And we want to avoid sinning in the future for love of God. We should beg for this grace before every confession!
25. FIRM PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT?  This means very simply that as an extension of true sorrow for sin, we will try to avoid the near occasions of sin.
26. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?  It means that we should not play with fire. We should make a concerted effort to avoid any person, place, thing, or circumstance that could lead us into sin. In other words, we should avoid walking on a slippery slope; otherwise, we will fall!
27. CONFESS SINS TO A PRIEST?  Once we have examined our conscience thoroughly and elicited with God’s grace true sorrow for our sins, we are ready to confess to the priest, who, as mentioned earlier, represents Christ Jesus the Healer, the Divine Physician.
28. WHAT ARE WE OBLIGED TO CONFESS?  To make a good confession, we are obliged to confess all our mortal sins, as well as the number and kind of mortal sin.
29. WHAT IS A MORTAL SIN?  Mortal actually means deadly! A mortal sin once committed causes the loss of God’s grace and friendship in our soul.
30. WHAT ARE THE CONDITIONS OF A MORTAL SIN?  There are three: 1) Grave matter, 2) Full knowledge, and 3) Full consent of the will.
31. PRACTICAL ADVICE ON APPROACHING THE CONFESSIONAL.  Upon entering, it is always good to close the door to the confessional. Otherwise, the persons waiting outside might hears your sins!
32. PRAY FOR THE PRIEST BEFORE YOU ENTER.  On one occasion, Saint Faustina left the confessional intranquil. When Jesus appeared her, she asked why? Jesus responded by saying: “You did not pray for the priest before you entered the confessional.” So, before you enter the confessional say at least a short prayer for your confessor.
33. BEHIND THE SCREEN OR FACE TO FACE.  You have the option! You can either go behind the screen and be anonymous or choose to confess to the priest, face to face. It is your choice!
34. HOW TO START?  The traditional way to start off confession is the following:  “Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was (give the time since your last confession), and these are my sins.” Then tell your sins to the priest with humility, trust, and confidence in God’s mercy.
35. NEXT?  Listen to the words of the priest: advice, counsel, suggestions, admonitions, encouragement, and at times corrections.
36. PENANCE. This is an important fifth part of the Sacrament of Confession. The priest will give you some form of penance to carry out in reparation for your sins. As soon as possible after you leave the Confessional, you should try to carry out the penance that the priest has given to you.
37. CLOSING.  To conclude you, as the penitent, will pray what is called the Act of Contrition. You should try to memorize the Act of Contrition. If not, the priest can help you by giving you one to read. But try to say it with true meaning and true repentance!
38. ABSOLUTION. These are the words that the priest says after you have finished confessing: “And I absolve you of your sins, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”
39. WHAT HAPPENS THEN? How marvelous! With the words of absolution, the most Precious Blood of Jesus descends into your soul and washes you clean of all of your sins. You are forgiven and set free of all of your sins!
40. GRATITUDE. Thank the priest, who represents Jesus, and then leave. But now you leave the confessional door open so that the next penitent can enter.
41. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE HELD BACK A MORTAL SIN DUE TO FEAR OR SHAME? In this case, the Confession would be sacrilegious. None of the sins would be forgiven.
42. WHAT NEXT TO REMEDY THE SITUATION?  The penitent should go back to the priest and mention all of his sins since the previous confession, as well as the sin that he held back; also, he should mention the fact that he is truly sorry for not telling the total truth in the past confession. Once this is done, all the sins will be forgiven and he can start a new life!
43. FORGETTING A SIN OR SINS?  The confession is still good, but the next time that the penitent goes to confession, he should mention the sins that were forgotten.
44. SEAL OF THE CONFESSION?  The priest is bound to maintain absolute secrecy as to all that he has heard in the context of the Sacrament of Confession. Your confession is between you, the priest, and God Himself.
45. MARTYR OF THE SEAL?  Yes, there have been priests who preferred to die rather than break the Seal of the Confession. One of these priests was the priestly confessor of a Queen. The name of the priest is Saint John Nepomucene.
46. EFFECT OF THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION?  All of the Sacraments communicate grace. However, each Sacrament confers a specific sacramental grace that differentiates it from the others. The specific sacramental grace of the Sacrament of Confession is that of HEALING.
47. HEALING? Yes, healing! When we commit sin, we wound our soul. But when we make a good confession these wounds are healed by the loving touch of Jesus the Divine Physician.
48. PREVENTATIVE? ANALOGY WITH MEDICINE.  Going to confession can be compared to going to make a visit with a Doctor. The Doctor can give you curative medicine—when you are already sick. Or the Doctor can give you preventive medicine—like a Flu-shot, so as to prevent a future sickness. Making a good confession strengthens us against sinning in the future.
49. HOW ABOUT A BIBLICAL PASSAGE TO PREPARE FOR CONFESSION?  Reading and prayerfully meditating upon Lk. 15: 11-32 can be of immense value. This is the Parable of the Prodigal Son or if you like, The Parable of the Merciful Father. This Parable will augment in our souls a great trust in the infinite mercy of the Heart of Jesus.
50. HOW ABOUT SOME POSITIVE FRUITS OF A GOOD CONFESSION?  There are many!

1. FORGIVENESS OF SINS, both mortal and venial.
2. FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD. Once forgiven of mortal sin, friendship is again established between us and God.
3. SANCTIFYING GRACE RESTORED. Also, sanctifying grace is restored to the soul.
4. HUMILITY. It takes humility to confess well. Therefore, as we grow in humility of heart, let us remember that Jesus loves those who are humble of heart.
5. CAPTIVES SET FREE. Sin is slavery and confession sets the captive free!
6. PEACE OF SOUL. Sin robs our soul of peace. Confession, on the contrary, restores peace.
7. JOY IN THE LORD. Another rotten fruit of sin is sadness. Confession fills our hearts with joy in God’s presence.
8. SELF-KNOWLEDGE. Furthermore, by frequent confession we increase in self-knowledge and can avoid future falls.
9. PURITY OF SOUL. Our soul becomes more pure and our prayer life improves.
10. BETTER HOLY COMMUNIONS. Saint Ignatius makes an intimate connection between making a good confessions and better Communions. The more clear the soul, the more abundant the Eucharist sun can shine in that soul!

CONCLUSION.  In conclusion, we hope that all who have prayerfully read this short catechism on the Sacrament of Confession will feel motivated to approach the throne of God’s Infinite mercy through this Sacrament and be able to taste and see the goodness and the mercy of God. May Our Lady of Divine mercy pray for us that we will trust totally in the mercy of Jesus in His Church and in the Sacrament of His Mercy, the Sacrament of Confession! Give thanks to the Lord for he is good; His mercy endures forever

 Copyright 2020 Oblates of the Virgin Mary
St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo, bishop

Crypt where St. Charles Borromeo, the 16th century cardinal archbishop of Milan and great saint of the Counter-Reformation, lays in a crystal coffin.

“For greater things you were born.” (Ven. Mother Luisita)