Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14^TH   Lk. 11:42-46 “The Lord said: ‘Woe to you Pharisees!’”

• Imagine if the Lord Jesus appeared to us today, looked intently into our eyes, and said: “Woe to you!” I hope we would listen! In today’s Gospel, Jesus says it to the Pharisees three times: “Woe to you!” And then He adds: “Woe also to you scholars of the law.”
• The Lord is merciful with the sinner who repents. In the long version of the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass, we beat our breast three times saying, “Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.” We start every confession saying, “Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.”
• The Lord is tender with the lost sheep caught in the thicket, frightened and grateful to be rescued. How many of us have been caught in the thicket of sin, frightened and unable to free ourselves, until the Lord intervened and rescued us with these words, “I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.” Freeing us from the sins which enslaved us and filling our hearts with gratitude!
• The Lord is compassionate with the blind who desire to see. How many times has He cured our blindness with the truth that set us free because we wanted to be cured! It takes humility and courage to seek the truth – for the truth hurts, then heals. “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12)
• The Pharisees’ hearts are hardened in sin. When a person’s heart is hardened in sin, encased in the armor of pride and self-sufficiency, God’s only recourse is to permit some catastrophic event to disrupt their lives. This is what Pope Francis referred to when he said they need to “step on a banana peel”. Meaning they need to have their legs knocked out from under them, the wind knocked out of them. It is a singular grace for those rushing headlong toward perdition!
• Let us remember that even the breath we take is a gift from God! “Man can refuse His Creator his mind; he cannot refuse Him his lungs. No sooner has man finished uttering his denials and his blasphemies than he is forced on pain of death to reclaim that breath which created him and draw it into the depths of his being.” (Paul Claudel)
• May we use our breath to pray fervently and frequently, “Father, forgive me, for I have sinned.”

CONFESSION AND GOD’S HEALING MERCY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

One of the greatest gifts that our merciful Savior gave to the world was the Sacrament of Confession. Jesus came to the Apostles and then breathed the Holy Spirit upon them saying: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, shall be forgiven; whose sins you retain, shall be retained.” (Jn. 20: 22-23)

In this moment, with these words and with the breathing forth of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, Jesus instituted the Sacrament that we call the Sacrament of Confession, Penance, Reconciliation, Forgiveness, and the Sacrament of His Infinite Mercy.

In this brief essay we would like to encourage all to have great trust in God’s Mercy, and to approach with trust, confidence, humility and faith the Sacrament of Confession. We will offer ten short encouraging words and suggestions to help us to receive this great Sacrament.

Trust in God’s Infinite Mercy
Jesus complained to Saint Faustina saying that the greatest sin that wounds His Sacred Heart most is lack of trust in His Infinite Mercy. Jesus said that if a sinner had as many sins as the grains of sand on the seashore, if he were to simply trust in Jesus’ Mercy, that would be enough to engulf and swallow all of those sins in the ocean of His Infinite Mercy. Saint Paul reminds us: “Where sin abounds, God’s mercy abounds all the more.” (Rom. 5:20) Indeed, the greatest sinners can become the greatest saints if they simply trust unreservedly in God’s Mercy. Examples abound: Mary Magdalene, the Good Thief, Saint Augustine, Saint Margaret of Cortona, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Camillus de Lellis, Saint Mary of Egypt, and many more.

Preparation
Prepare yourself well for the reception of the Sacraments. In fact, sacramental theology enunciates this important principle: one receives graces in proportion to the disposition of the heart and the prior preparation before receiving the Sacrament. Have a good Examination of Conscience booklet at hand. Give yourself time to prepare to encounter your loving and merciful Savior. Do your examination in silence so that you can see yourself honestly with your merciful Savior at your side in your soul-searching. Write down your sins on a sheet of paper so that when you go to the priest, who represents Christ, you will not draw a blank due to nervousness. Usually, the better the preparation, the better the results—as is the case in any practice!

Personal Encounter with Christ
Strive to understand that our religion is fundamentally a personal relationship and friendship with Jesus. Jesus indeed is the friend who will never fail us. If we can understand that the essence of sin is hurting the one who loves us, the one who desires a deep friendship with us, the one who died on the cross for us, then it will be much easier to avoid sin in the future. At the Last Supper Jesus called the Apostles His friends; we are the friends of Jesus. Sin is not so much breaking a rule, but breaking the loving Heart of Jesus.

Appreciate the Sacrament, the Graces, and the Opportunity
A constant danger for practicing Catholics is to take the Sacraments for granted. As in a marriage, it is always possible to take one’s spouse for granted. Likewise, we can take Jesus and His Sacraments for granted. Our attitude should be such that every time we receive the Eucharist, as well as Confession, we should receive it as if it were our last time and we will be judged upon the way we received the Sacrament. As a sign in many sacristies reminds us: “Say Mass as if it were your first Mass, your last Mass, and your only Mass.” So may we strive to receive Confession as if it were our first, last, and only Confession every time we approach this Sacrament of God’s Mercy.

Firm Purpose of Amendment

There are five steps in making a good Confession:
1. Examination of Conscience.
2. Sorrow for sin.
3. Firm Purpose of Amendment.
4. Confession of sins to the priest.
5. Carry out the penance given by the priest.

The third step, in many penitents, should be improved. By this we mean that to confess well there must be a firm commitment on our part to avoid any person, place, thing or circumstance that could lead us into the snares of sin. This demands self-examination, self-knowledge, humility, and fortitude. This also demands a rewinding of the film of our life to see the what, where, when, how, why and whom that led us to falling into sin. There are many sayings that spell this out: “He who does not know history is condemned to repeat the same errors.” Socrates stated: “A life not examined is a life not worth living.”

A key proverb of the Desert Fathers says it in two succinct words: Know thyself! If you like, use an image from Superman: We have to know our own Kryptonite—our own weak point, or our own Achilles heel!

Pray for the Priest Confessor
On one occasion, Saint Faustina left the confessional and felt intranquil, lacking the peace that she usually experienced after making her sacramental Confession. Jesus appeared and told her the reason for this lack of peace was because she did not pray for the priest Confessor before entering the confessional. A short prayer for the priest Confessor—a Hail Mary, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, or a prayer to his Guardian angel, as well as to your own—can drastically improve one’s Confession. Try it!

Qualities of a Good Confession  
In the Diary of Saint Faustina, Jesus highlights three indispensable conditions for a good Confession. They are: transparency, humility, and obedience. When we confess to the priest, who really represents Jesus, the Divine Physician, we should be as clear and transparent as possible. Then we should never try to justify, rationalize or blame others for our sins, and that means we should be humble. Finally, we should obey whatever advice or counsel the priest gives us recognizing that the priest acts in the person of Christ.

Confess Frequently
It is of capital importance in the spiritual life to receive the sacraments well but also with great frequency. The Church allows, as well as encourages frequent Confession as a most efficacious means to grow in holiness. One is obliged to confess mortal sins in number and species (kind of sin). However, the saints and Popes strongly encourage us to confess even venial sins; this is called a “Confession of devotion.” One could also confess past mortal sins renewing sorrow for them as a devotional Confession. Many graces accrue to such confessions. All too often, our sins leave a deeply ingrained habit or stain in our soul. Frequent Confession serves to gradually expunge and eliminate the stain! The warning however is to avoid making mechanical, routine, or perfunctory confessions—to confess without any firm purpose to amend our ways!

Clarify Doubts
If it is such that there is some moral confusion, doubt, or uncertainty about some moral matter or personal behavior then you should be humble and forthright and ask a good Confessor to clarify the doubt. In other words, moral theology teaches us that we should never act on a doubtful conscience. On the contrary, we should clarify the moral question with our Confessor before acting. Having a well-formed conscience, having a pure and clear conscience, having interior peace of soul is one of the greatest gifts that one can experience this side of heaven!

Thanksgiving
After you have completed your Confession, make sure that you thank God abundantly for His Infinite Mercy, for His kindness, for His compassion, for the gift of the Sacrament of Confession. God rejoices in the hearts of those generous souls who render Him constant thanksgiving. May the prayer of the Psalmist be our prayer: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.” (Ps. 136:1)

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

Tuesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13TH   Lk. 11: 37-41 “You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”

Part 1: God is Faithful… by St. John of Avila
Part 2: Commentary and Intro to main article…
Part 3: Reparation to the Heart of Mary for Scandalizing Children by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

“God is so faithful that He never abandons those who have recourse to Him.” by St. John of Avila

God’s light will show the Christian a thousand blemishes in his conduct, and he will feel sure that there are as many more he has failed to discover; understanding the weakness of his nature, he will suspect that he knows not half the worst. Should any divine favors be shown him, far from attributing them to any merit of his own, he blames himself for not corresponding to them, and profiting by them as he ought.

Thus he sincerely gives God His due, which is all that he possesses which is good and unsullied by any admixture of evil. Convinced of this truth, as revealed by God Himself, the lowly spirit, rising above itself, ceases to depend upon such a broken reed as itself and leans for support on Him who upholds all things.

Looking within his soul, the Christian sees cause only for repentance, and so lifts his eyes to his Creator, in whose loving kindness he can trust without fear of being forsaken. God is so faithful that He never abandons those who have recourse to Him; His love is so tender that far sooner will the sea run dry, or the sun cease shining, than the heavenly Father lack pity for His own.

• Therefore, let us leave our sins to the Mercy of God in frequent Confession, which is both curative and preventative!
• Then let us resolve to practice Charity (Love), starting with those in our own family, then reaching out to others in need, paying particular attention to those most in need spiritually, physically, or mentally, without judgment or condemnation.
• “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Mt. 25:40)
• “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Pt. 4: 8)
• There is another form of almsgiving that is called Reparation. On October 13th we commemorate the sixth and final apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to three little shepherd children – Lucia de los Santos (age 10), and her two cousins Francisco (age 9) and Jacinta (age 7) Marto.
• Our Lady promised a miracle that all could see to authenticate the visions of the seers. The Miracle of the Sun was seen by about 70,000 the people as reported in a Lisbon newspaper. It had rained through the previous night and all morning. A picture in the newspaper showed of a sea of umbrellas as people waited for Mary to appear. After the miracle of the sun, another picture showed the umbrellas folded, their clothes and the ground they stood on completely dry.
• Our Lady of Fatima asked for Reparation for five different Blasphemes against Mary’s privileges and role as Mother of us all: Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, Divine Maternity, Scandalizing Children, and Profaning Mary’s Images.

OUR LADY’S GREAT LOVE FOR CHILDREN—Reparation for those who turn children against Mary. By Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus said with great tenderness and love flowing from His Sacred Heart: “Let the little children come to me.” (Mt. 19:14) Jesus also said: “Unless you become like little children you cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mt. 18:3) Indeed, Jesus had a very special love and special place for children in His tender and loving Sacred Heart. Some of the most beautiful and moving artistic depictions of Jesus demonstrate Jesus embracing and blessing the little children. All are moved by the compassion and deep love the Sacred Heart of Jesus has for the little ones—the innocent children.

OUR LADY AND CHILDREN.  Saint Therese of the Child Jesus once said of the Blessed Virgin Mary: “Our Lady is Queen of Heaven and earth, but she is more Mother than Queen.” Of all the magnificent titles given to Mary, the greatest of her titles is that of MOTHER OF GOD. How true, Mary is the Mother of God, but Mary’s Maternity, her Motherhood, extends to all. Mary is the Mother of Jesus first and above all, but also, we are the children of Mary and she is our loving and tender Mother. From the cross, Jesus gave Mary to us in the person of Saint John: “Woman, behold thy son; son, behold thy Mother. From that moment the beloved disciple took Mary into his home.” (19: 26-27) The classical interpretation of this passage is most clearly that Jesus gave Mary to John, and in John we are all present as her children, and Mary is our most compassionate, tender and loving Mother.

MARY’S SPECIAL LOVED ONES: THE CHILDREN.  At Fatima, Our Lady could have decided to appear to adults, the well-educated, the rich and the famous, the stars of the world. But that was not the case! Mary, as loving Mother, chose to reveal herself to three little Shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. At that time the three could not even read and write. Our Lady appeared to them, speaking to them, teaching them, encouraging then, supporting them and preparing these little children to carry out a world-wide mission. God and His Mother have their mysterious ways!

OUR LADY’S SUFFERINGS: HER SORROWFUL HEART SURROUNDED BY THORNS.  Our Lady revealed her sufferings by means of her Immaculate Heart surrounded and pierced by sharp thorns. We have all experienced being pierced by a sharp thorn and being cut; imagine the piercing of a tender heart, the Heart of Mary! Our Lady revealed one of the piercing thorns that causes her so much intense suffering. We are called to meditate upon this thorn now. However, we would like to console our loving Mother in her sufferings. We would like to repair for these sufferings; we would most earnestly desire to remove the thorn piercing her Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart and replace it with beautiful and fragrant roses. How can we do this? By the recitation of the most Holy Rosary!

THE SOURCE AND REASON FOR ONE OF THE THORNS AND HER SUFFERINGS.

“Blasphemies of those who seek openly to foster in the hearts of children indifference or contempt and even hatred for the Immaculate Heart of Mary and her holy images.”

 PRESENT MORAL DANGER FOR CHILDREN. Now more than ever before in the world, children are being exposed to so much moral peril and danger, especially for their minds, their hearts, and their immortal souls. For this reason, we so ardently desire to consecrate the families, the youth, and in a special way, the children to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us place the children in the most pure, holy, and Immaculate Heart of Mary as a sure and safe refuge, especially in these specific areas of grave peril and danger.

1. SCHOOL AGENDA. Parents today need to be extremely wary about modern education, now on all levels, that insists on forcing children to be exposed to an aberrant and perverse sexual ethic. When children should not even be exposed to this topic, it is being forced upon them, and as a consequence, forcing them to lose their innocence. The happy, jubilant, and exuberant radiance of innocent children is being poisoned at younger and younger ages. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is pierced to see her little children inundated with impurity!

2. IMMODEST SOCIAL MILIEUX. Our Lady said about 100 years ago that immodest fashions would enter the world that would offend God gravely. Children exposed to immodesty and immorality pierces deeply the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Once a bad image is engraved in the memory of a person, it is difficult to erase.

3. DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILIES. Whether we like it or not we must humbly admit that we live in a dysfunctional world, a dysfunctional society, and often a dysfunctional family, all stemming from Original Sin and personal sin. Of course, this dysfunctional quality of the family, in which many children are being fostered and raised today, has deep-seated repercussions. For that reason, the famous Rosary-priest, Venerable Father Patrick Peyton never tired of promoting the safeguarding, the protection, and the salvation of the family through the presence and the intercession of Mary and the most Holy Rosary. These two immortal sayings from Peyton resound true now more than ever: “The family that prays together, stays together” and “A world at prayer is a world at peace.” For this reason, we most earnestly exhort all families to pray together for the reparation and prevention of children being morally damaged, as well as for the healing of children who have already been wounded.

4. ELECTRONIC MEDIA: THE WRONG IMAGES. We live in a world controlled by images: pictures, T.V., movies, the Internet with Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and the use of the modern cellphone. All of these can be used for good and even the promotion of the Gospel values. But also, on the contrary, they can be used for selfish, egotistic, lustful, sinful and materialistic motives. Children today live in the social media of the electronic world and it is unavoidable. Exposure to these powerfully negative images can rob the children of their innocence and at an ever more tender age. For that reason, Our Lady’s Heart is pierced and for that reason we insist on consecrating our families to the most pure and Immaculate Heart of Mary in union and conjunction with Saint Francisco and Saint Jacinta Marto.

5. ANTI-CATHOLIC AND ANTI-MARIAN SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT. One of the saddest facts of Modern America is the phenomena of the militant spread of many religious Sects, among the most prominent being the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormons, as well as many others. Statistics prove that most of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, as well as the majority of Mormons, also known as the Latter-day Saints, used to be Catholics. Our Lady suffers immensely due to this reality. One of the reasons for the great suffering of the Immaculate Heart of Mary over the religious sects is that they reject Mary and her key role in the economy of salvation. Her images are rejected, her name despised, and her maternal influence totally disdained and rejected. Saint Louis de Montfort asserted with force: “He who does not have Mary as Mother, does not have God as Father.” Children who are brought up and raised in this environment where Mary is ignored, insulted, rejected or blasphemed will find it difficult, if not impossible to heal this “Spiritual Mother wound” that is so deeply immersed and embedded in their hearts. The Remedy? Father Robert Fox wrote very eloquently on Our Lady of Fatima presenting her as a modern Catechist. Now more than ever, we live in a world with an enormous amount of information—an information highway! However, at the same time, we have never lived in a world with so much confusion, and that includes widespread ignorance in the religious sphere about Catholicism! To save our children from this deluge of evil, let us make a concerted effort as parents to educate our children in knowledge of the Lord, a healthy fear of the Lord—that is to say, fear of offending Him, and love for the Lord and the Catholic Church. Let us pray to Mary, Catechist par excellence to come to our assistance.

CONCLUSION. To conclude our reflection, with great hope and trust let us open our eyes wide to the reality surrounding our family and our children and humbly admit the wolves that are on the prowl day and night. For the noxious and poisonous agenda in modern education which is brain-washing our children as to the purpose of the human person and the end and purpose of human sexuality. We cry out: wolf! Let us acknowledge the fact that the exterior world, often the theater of the enemy, displays the human person as a mere object. We cry out: wolf! The Domestic church—the family, the basic cell of society, is in grave danger with lasting repercussions on the child. Again, we cry out wolf on the prowl! The electronic media can turn into an ugly monster present in every modern American home. We cry out wolf, wolf, wolf!!! Finally, due to rampant ignorance and confusion, even within the context of the Church, many exit the Church, thereby embracing a false religion that rejects Mary, makes fun of Mary, insults Mary or is totally indifferent to the person and importance of Mary. We must defend ourselves and our children from such ravenous wolves!!! Therefore, let us consecrate ourselves and our children—our entire family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Let us beg pardon for the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary and offer due reparation. Most especially, let us love the Immaculate Heart of Mary and let her love us. Let us find a sure and lasting refuge in two safe havens: the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in you. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation.

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

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12^TH Lk. 11: 29-32   “There is something greater than Solomon here… there is something greater than Jonah here!”

• Jesus is no mere king … no mere prophet! He is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, one in being with the Father and the Holy Spirit, who took on a human body and human nature to suffer and die on the cross for our sins. He comes not only as our Savior, He comes as our Beloved! There is no person on earth who knows us, as Jesus knows us! No one who loves us, as Jesus loves us!
• Jesus desires intimate communion with us. He invites us to talk to Him throughout the day, include Him in our thoughts, ask Him the questions that so often trouble us. Share our feelings with Him, tell Him when we’re happy, sad, angry, confused, hurting. Speak to Him as if He is really there, because He is really there! And in the recesses of our heart, we will hear Him speak to us. He wants us to feel His loving embrace and find our rest in Him.
• Jesus wants to walk with us and help us fulfill His holy will in the duties of our state in life, in the sufferings we endure, in the inspirations we receive and carry out. But just as the angel waited for Mary’s Yes, Jesus waits for our Yes. There can be only one person on the throne of our heart – we decide whether or not that person is Jesus! And where there is Jesus, there is His Mother and our Mother, Mary!

TALKING WITH MY FRIENDS JESUS AND MARY by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV 

FAITHFUL FRIENDS ALWAYS.  Jesus and Mary are your best friends, always, in all places and in all times. You can talk to them and confide in them always! Jesus and Mary are always ready and willing to listen to you and to talk to you as friends do. At the Last Supper, Jesus said to the Apostles (as well as to you and me): “I call you FRIENDS.” His friendship has not changed in over 2000 years and it will never change. Jesus and Mary have a great longing, a great desire, in this precise moment to enter into a conversation of Friendship with you.

ENTER INTO THIS CONVERSATION OF FRIENDSHIP WITH JESUS AND MARY NOW!

A STARTING HELP: PICTURE, PAINTNG, OR STATUE OF JESUS AND OF MARY.

Now place yourself in the Presence of Jesus and Mary. Imagine that they are looking at you with great tenderness, kindness, and love. Lift your eyes, as well as your heart, to the images of Jesus and Mary. Now open up your heart and talk to Jesus and Mary. Tell them everything that is on your mind, everything that is in your heart. They are the best of listeners.

SOME HELPS TO ENTER INTO CONVERSATION WITH JESUS AND MARY.  As a means to help you, imagine that Jesus and Mary, with great love for you, are asking you some very simple questions. Respond to these questions in your own words. Your words can be simple, uncomplicated, humble, and sincere. Here we go with our loving conversation with Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary, His Mother and your Mother!

1. WHO ARE YOU? Why not start with the basics. Jesus asks, “Who are you”? That is a good question. Who are you in the eyes of the world? Are you a man or woman, younger or older, single or married, father or mother, brother or sister? Do you work, go to school, stay at home with the kids, or possibly you’re retired? Now, who are you in your own eyes? What do you think of yourself? Are you happy with who you are? If you could change one thing about yourself, what would that be? Now, who are you in the eyes of Jesus and Mary? Do you think about the fact that Jesus suffered and died on the cross as Mary suffered beneath the cross – all for love of you? Do you really know how precious you are in their eyes? They are listening very attentively to your answers, to your words, even to the movements of your heart. You can speak to Jesus and Mary as long as you want. They are in no hurry. Right now you are the most important person in the world to them.

2. WHAT IS ON YOUR MIND NOW? In all times and places something is crossing our mind. Right now, why not express to Jesus and Mary the thoughts that are crossing or running through your mind. Talk to them about these thoughts. Do these thoughts bring you joy or sadness, peace or anxiety? Talk sincerely about your thought world. Perhaps things that you cannot talk to anyone else about. Jesus and Mary do not mean for you to carry your burdens alone.

3. ARE YOU FEARFUL? We all go through moments of fear and about many things. Perhaps over the past few days there has been something in your life that has caused you to enter into a state of fear. This is an excellent topic of conversation between you and Jesus and Mary. Often the Apostles had fears; all people have fears in their lives. So do you and so do I. Bring these fears to the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Jesus calmed the fears of the Apostles in the storm; He can calm your fears too!

4. WHAT MIGHT BE SOME FEARS? Fears can come in many shapes and forms, colors and shades. Never forget that both Jesus and Mary love you always and are always ready to listen to you and help you. Here are a few that might be your fears right now. Your future? Maybe you are fearful about your future. We are living in challenging times. Maybe your future is uncertain and this causes fear. Talk to Jesus and Mary about this. Ask them to help you place your future in their loving and caring hands. Or it could be that you or one of your family members has a serious health problem and that makes you fearful. Ask the Divine Physician for healing in mind and body, always trusting in His Divine Providence to know what is best for each person. Remembering that when He gives a cross, He promises to help us carry it! Maybe your fears are for spiritual well-being – yours or someone else’s. In this case, usually what is needed is a Soul Doctor and a good Confession. If it is for yourself, don’t put it off! The enemy wants to steal your soul – and that is how he does it! He paralyzes us with fear! Ask a friend to go with you, so you won’t back out! If your fear is for someone else who is putting off Confession and Conversion – prayer and penance are your weapons. Jesus says some demons are only driven out by prayer and penance!

5. OTHER FEARS? Family tensions and problems! Your fears might be in your home, in your own family. Maybe there is tension, turmoil, anger and bitterness among some family members and this is a constant cause of fear and anxiety in your mind and heart. Open up your heart to Jesus and Mary and talk to them about these family tensions and fears. Talk to Jesus and Mary about your family members. Most likely there is one family member who is most in need of prayers. Beg Jesus and Mary to help you pray for them and bring peace to your heart! Jesus and Mary are always attentive to your prayers and willing to help you carry the cross.

6. WOUNDS OF THE PAST/WOUNDS IN THE PRESENT. Because of the Original Sin of our first parents, Adam and Eve, we all live in a world that is deeply wounded. And that means that we too are wounded and most likely we have wounded others. Most likely, even now, you carry a wound in your heart. Past or present, being abused in any number of ways leaves huge, gaping wounds. Now is the time to bring these wounds to the Sacred Heart of Jesus that was wounded by the lance that pierced His Heart causing blood and water to gush forth, and the Immaculate Heart of Mary who suffered in her heart all that Jesus suffered in His Body as she stood beneath the cross. Being physically beaten, emotionally abused, rejected, perhaps abandoned—all of these situations leave wounds that can be very deep.

7. JESUS THE WOUNDED HEALER. Jesus is the wounded-healer. In prayer we can bring these many and possibly huge wounds to Jesus. The Bible says: “By His wounds we are healed.” (Is. 53:5) Do not be afraid to open up and talk to Jesus about your wounds because by His wounds we are healed. Call to mind the many sick, suffering, and wounded people who came to Jesus while He walked the earth. Jesus was moved to pity and compassion and He healed them, if they trusted in Him. Imagine that you are one of those wounded and sick persons in the time of Jesus: the blind, the deaf, the mute, the leper, the paralytic! Like them, go to Jesus now and ask for healing! Go to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and also ask her to heal you. Mary is known as Refuge of sinners, Health of the sick, and Mother of mercy and consolation. Turn to Mary as your loving Mother and open your wounded heart and talk to her – let her console you! One more step is necessary. Beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to pray for those who wounded you – pray for their eternal salvation. Something as simple as three Hail Marys for them every day. Praying for them will bring peace to your soul – the captive you set free will be yourself! Moreover, the mercy you show them will be showered upon you for your sins by your loving and Merciful Savior, for He cannot be outdone in generosity!

8. YOUR TEMPTATIONS. Now, here is another topic to talk with Jesus and Mary about: your temptations! Do not be ashamed in your conversation with Jesus and Mary to talk to them about your temptations. Everybody in the world is subject to temptations and until the very end of our life. The devil never goes on vacation. A temptation is not a sin until we give in to it. Bring to Jesus and Mary the temptations you may be experiencing. Here might be a few. Temptations to give in to discouragement—bring this to the Heart of Jesus. “Come to me all you who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) Temptations to give in to impurity—bring this to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Temptations to laziness—it is not always about avoiding work we have to do; sometimes it is just avoiding the work we don’t like to do! Talk to Mary about this, who went in haste to help her elderly cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with St. John the Baptist. Temptations to anger and impatience—turn to Jesus who carried the cross patiently and beg for His help. Temptations to lie—turn to Jesus who said: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Temptations to disobey—to do our will instead of God’s will! Run to Jesus who was obedient even to death and death on the cross! Bringing your temptations to Jesus and Mary are great ways to overcome the devil!

9. EVEN YOUR SINS! Now this is a very important topic of conversation: your sins! Jesus did not come for the perfect; He came to save sinners. The name JESUS means God saves! The worst thing we can do is to fail to TRUST in Jesus, in His love and His mercy. Therefore, bring even your failures, your sins, to the most Merciful Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Tell Jesus that you love Him and you are sorry for these sins. Tell Him that you want to change. Beg Jesus for the grace and the strength to change. Then tell Jesus and Mary of your desire to go to confession. The prophet Isaiah encourages us with these words: “Though your sins be like scarlet, I will make them as white as the snow.” (Is. 1:18) Say these words often to Jesus, words that give great consolation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary: JESUS, I TRUST IN YOU!!! Also, none of us know the day or the hour we will die. Therefore, never go to bed without doing an examination of conscience and making a perfect act of contrition —that is to say, contrition of love, contrition for hurting the One we love and who loves us most in the world—with a firm purpose of amendment, meaning to avoid the persons, places, things, or circumstances that led us to sin —and the firm intention to go to confession as soon as possible. If we were to die in that state, our sins would be forgiven.

10. YOUR PLANS, YOUR GOALS, YOUR DREAMS. At every stage of life, we should have plans, goals, and even dreams. You should have long term goals, short term goals, and dreams to accomplish. Jesus and Mary are very interested in these. Open up your heart and talk to Jesus and Mary about these noble aspiration and goals. As we get older, the aspirations of this life should begin to give way to aspirations and longing for our eternal life! Jesus and Mary are very interested in your goals and dreams, in your future here and in eternity! Open up and talk to them about your future!

11. THANKSGIVING: AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE. Jesus and Mary rejoice when we tell them these two words: THANK YOU! Therefore, try to get in the habit of thanking Jesus and Mary for so many gifts that they have given to you. In sum, what do we have that we have not received from God? Nothing! Except our own sins that we have freely chosen. Stop, look up to Jesus and Mary and pour out your heart in gratitude!

12. IMITATE THE ONE GRATEFUL LEPER. On one occasion ten lepers came to Jesus and He healed the ten, but only one came back to give Jesus thanks! May you be that one grateful leper! Thank Jesus and Mary for your life—thank you, Jesus. Give thanks for your health—Lord Jesus, thanks! Thanks for your family—Lord I lift my hands in thanks! For freedom—Jesus once again thanks! For your Catholic faith—Lord, from the depths of my heart, thanks!!!

13. BECOME THE BEGGAR BEFORE JESUS. Beggars would sometimes approach Jesus and He would often grant what they requested. Now it is your turn to become the beggar. Jesus said: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. (Mt. 7:7) Any need that is in your heart, open up and become a beggar before Jesus. He loves to help humble and trusting beggars!

14. BEG FOR OTHERS. Do not limit your prayers to yourself. Rather, go outside yourself and beg for others’ intentions, for others’ needs. Beg for your family members certainly. Then beg for world peace; beg for starving children; beg for the sick and the dying; beg for the homeless and the orphans. Beg also for the suffering souls in Purgatory to be released to Heaven! Beg for the conversion of poor sinners, of dying sinners. Many graces descend upon the world due to the prayers of beggars!

15. LOVE JESUS AND MARY. The most important sentiment that can flow from our hearts is that of love. Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. Never forget how much Jesus and Mary love you. However, in your own words you should tell them how much you really do love them. Love is the bond of perfection. Saint John of the Cross says: “In the twilight of our lives, we will be judged on love.” In your own words, tell Jesus and Mary how much you love them. Beg them for the grace to love them more and more each day. Beg Jesus and Mary for the grace to love them now, tomorrow, and forever in heaven!

O God, you are my God, for you I long;   
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry weary land without water.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.

So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.    

On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night,
for you have been my help,
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.   (Ps 63:1-8)

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

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

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

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11th    Mt. 22: 1-14 “Many are invited, but few are chosen.”

• Jesus is the King who has prepared a wedding feast and sends his servants to call those invited. He issues the invitation to each one of us!
• He invites us to the Eucharistic Feast where He Himself is our food and sustenance at the table of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Saint John Chrysostom exhorts: “Consider the great honor done to you, and the table of which you partake. He whom the angels tremble to behold, unable to look upon Him face to face because of the brightness He radiates, is the one with whom we feed ourselves, mingling with Him, one body and one flesh with Christ!”
• What is our response to the King’s invitation? Jesus is calling us to draw closer in a deeper love and intimacy of body and soul with Him. For this purpose, every day He invites us to the table He has prepared. 
• Can you sense the note of sadness in Our Lord’s telling of this parable? He foresees our many excuses and rationalizations. “My friend, how is it that you come here without a wedding garment?” The wedding garment of grace, humility, and obedience. Without it we will be cast out into the darkness of our pride and self-will.
• Why is it called a “wedding feast”?  Because we are encountering the Bridegroom of our soul – the one who knew us and loved us even before He knit us in our mother’s womb! Jesus invites to draw us close. What uncontainable joy it is to encounter Jesus face to face! Once we have encountered Him, how can we fail to bring others to the feast???

JESUS TRULY IS THE BREAD OF LIFE by Fr, Ed Broom, OMV

BIBLICAL PASSAGES POINTING TO THE EUCHARIST…

One of the many channels that can be utilized to augment our faith, devotion, and love for the greatest of all the Sacraments, the most Holy Eucharist, is by reading and meditating upon key Biblical passages, in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. The Old Testament presents symbols or what Bible scholars term Types, Biblical Typology of references or allusions to the Eucharist that become a reality in the New Testament. In other words, what is present in a hidden, mysterious, and symbolic form in the Old Testament breaks out in transparent Truth in the New Testament.

This being said, we will start with Old Testament Biblical types of the Mass, the Eucharist, and the priesthood which will lead us to the reality in the New Testament where the Eucharist—meaning Thanksgiving—was actually instituted by Jesus Himself at the Last Supper. Now let us delve deep into the infinite treasures, the infinite ocean of God present in His living and penetrating Word which we call the Bible!

OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO THE EUCHARIST.

1. GENESIS Chapter 3. In this chapter we encounter Adam and Eve, our first parents, who were commanded not to eat from the tree of the forbidden fruit. They disobeyed by eating this fruit, first Eve and then Adam. This we call ORIGINAL SIN. Death entered the world through the sin of disobedience of our first parents in eating the forbidden fruit.

2. JOHN Chapter 6. THE BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE. Death came from eating and disobedience. To the contrary, eternal life will come about by eating and obedience. The eating this time must be from the fruit of the tree of Calvary, which is the Body and Blood of Jesus. The Son of God Himself asserted: “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.” (6:35:54) In a clear and unequivocal fashion Jesus states that our salvation, our eternal life, depends upon eating Himself.

3. GENESIS 14: 18-20 / HEBREWS 4: 14-15. BREAD AND WINE OFFERED BY MELCHIZEDEK. This mysterious figure of the past symbolizes Jesus the High Priest. Without the person of the priest, the Eucharist or Bread of Life cannot become a reality. The priesthood is essential for the whole reality of the Mass, the Consecration, the Eucharist, and Holy Communion.

4. EXODUS Chapter 14. THE CROSSING OF THE RED SEA. The clear symbolism in this passage is that the Jews passed from slavery to freedom, led by Moses their leader. They were freed from the oppression and slavery of the Egyptians. Their passage was through the RED SEA. In a parallel sense, sin is slavery in our lives. By shedding His RED BLOOD on the cross on Calvary that Good Friday, Jesus attained for us the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God. By receiving His Body and Blood we are strengthened, purified, and made strong so as to cross from this life to eternal life in heaven.

5. EXODUS Chapter 16. THE MANNA IN THE DESERT. The Israelites were famished from their long journey through the desert. God, through the instrumentality and leadership of Moses, rained down bread from heaven called manna—a word meaning “What is this?” Without eating, we are all destined to die on a human and natural plane. Likewise, if we do not nourish our souls with the Bread of Life, we are destined to die and perish for all eternity. The Manna in the desert is a symbol or type of the Holy Eucharist. Actually, Jesus in the Bread of Life discourse makes reference to Moses and the manna in the desert: “I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which one may eat and not die.” (Jn. 6: 48-50)

6. 1 KINGS 19: 1-9. THE GREAT PROPHET ELIJAH. Fleeing for his life from the wicked Queen Jezebel and King Ahab, after one day’s journey, Elijah collapsed in a state of profound desolation. This translated to falling into a deep slumber. God sent an angel to Elijah to awaken the man of God. The angel presented bread for Elijah to eat, once and then a second time. After eating of the bread, Elijah walked forty days and forty nights from the strength that came from the bread. This bread communicated to Elijah a super energy to help him walk all the way to the holy mountain where he encountered God in the gentle breeze. Our journey towards the eternal mountain that we call HEAVEN is a long, perilous, tiring, and dangerous one. We need energy and strength to persevere on the journey. That all-powerful energy comes from Jesus, who is truly the Bread of Life and nourishment for the journey to our heavenly homeland.

7. PSALM 23. THE PSALM OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Possibly to the surprise of many, there are indeed symbolic Eucharistic overtones definitely present in this Psalm. Yes! In what way? “You anoint my head with oil… my cup overflows… I believe I will dwell in the House of the Lord for years without end.” These three separate and distinct phrases certainly have Eucharistic overtones and represent symbols or types. Anointing refers to the priesthood necessary to celebrate the Mass. Cup refers to the Blood of Christ. House of the Lord refers to heaven—meaning, that if we nourish ourselves on the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation we will arrive at our eternal and permanent home: HEAVEN!!!

NEW TESTAMENT REFERENCES TO THE EUCHARIST.

Now we will move from the Old Testament to the New Testament and delve into the many inspiring sources that we are all called to read and meditate upon so that we will grow in faith, love, and devotion for Jesus who is truly present in the Bread of Life.

1. JOHN Chapter 6. Once again we return to the all-important chapter of John 6. This long chapter of 71 verses offers three essential themes for our meditation.

(1) Jesus multiplies the loaves. Here Jesus works a miracle over nature multiplying bread and fish for the multitude, and also for us, so as to dispose and prepare our minds, hearts, and souls for the miracle of the Eucharist.

(2) Jesus walks on water, showing His power over His own body, again preparing us for the miracle of the Eucharist. In Mt. 14:22-32, Jesus walks on water and gives Peter the power to walk on water as long as he keeps his eyes on the Lord! If we truly believe in the Lord, we can carry out miracles. “Lord, I believe, but help my unbelief.” (Mk 9:24)

(3) Finally, close to two thirds of Chapter 6 of John is the BREAD OF LIFE DISCOURSE. This magnificent preaching of Jesus teaches without stammer or stutter, with the greatest clarity, that if we want to live forever we must nourish ourselves on the Bread of Life: “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat of the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.”

2. MATTHEW 26:26-28 / LUKE 22:19. THE INSTITUTION OF THE ECUHARIST. In the context of the Last Supper, Jesus celebrates the First Mass on that Holy Thursday night. In the same context Jesus institutes and ordains the first priests; these are the Apostles. “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ‘Take and eat, this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.’” In the Last Supper account of Luke, Jesus then says to the apostles, “Do this in remembrance of me.” In awe and thanksgiving let us lift our hearts in praise to the Lord for this most sublime gift! Let us beg for greater faith and love for the Eucharist, as well as implore the Lord for good and holy priests.

3. REVELATION 3:20. JESUS STANDS AND KNOCKS. “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” This short but challenging passage presents Jesus as a pilgrim-traveler knocking at the door. The owner can either choose to leave the door shut and ignore the traveler’s knock or he can open the door to the weary traveler and invite him to supper. The Eucharistic Lord is knocking at the door of your heart now! What is your response???

4. I CORINTHIANS 11: 17-34. THE EUCHARISTIC ABUSE. This passage in the Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians explodes! Unfortunately, in this early Christian Community there were members who were abusing the Eucharist. The more affluent were eating and drinking, even getting drunk, and neglecting the poor. Then after this scandal, they would be eating and drinking the Body and Blood of the Lord, and Saint Paul says, to their own condemnation. This Biblical passage gives us the foundation for the importance of receiving the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Jesus, in the state of grace. Otherwise, we could be eating and drinking, not for our salvation, but for our own condemnation!

5. LUKE 24: 13-35. THE DISCIPLES ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS. A beautiful and heartwarming Easter passage, offers us a summary of Holy Mass in miniature. Two disciples, walking away from Jerusalem after Christ’s crucifixion and death, are in the depths of desolation, until a stranger joins them. That “stranger” is the risen Jesus, unrecognized by them. The journey on the way to their little cottage talking with Jesus and listening to Him is the Liturgy of the Word. “Jesus said to them, ‘Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” The Breaking of the Bread in the little cottage in Emmaus is the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Approaching their destination, they urge Jesus to stay with them. Sitting down at the table, he takes bread, gives thanks, breaks the bread, and gives the bread, only it is no longer bread, it is His Body and Blood in the Holy Eucharist. “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” One key interpretation: when we live and walk without Jesus, we live and walk in utter darkness, desolation, and sadness. However, once we allow Jesus to walk with us in His Word in Sacred Scripture, and dwell within us in His Body and Blood in the Eucharist, Jesus, the Son of God and the Light of the World, breaks through the clouds and shines on our path, the clouds of sadness dissipate and we experience an overflowing and abundant joy!

6. MATTHEW 6: 9-13. In the Lord’s Prayer, that we commonly call THE OUR FATHER, there are seven petitions. One of these refers to the Eucharist and Holy Communion. “Give us this day our daily bread…” One way in which this can be interpreted is the challenge, inasmuch as it is possible according to your daily obligations, to attend Mass and to receive Holy Communion even on a daily basis. In other words, this daily bread could be interpreted as daily Mass and Holy Communion. Those who have formed the habit of daily Mass and Holy Communion find that they cannot live without this nourishment of our Eucharistic Lord! Try it out: daily Mass and Holy Communion, and see how your life improves!

7. LUKE 1: 38. MARY AND RECIEVING JESUS. As soon as Our Lady gave her consent to God through the Archangel Gabriel with the words of her Fiat, her Yes: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word” (Lk.1: 38), then, “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” ( 1: 14) Pope Saint John Paul II makes a parallel between Mary’s YES to God and our AMEN when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion. In this sense, Mary’s Yes resulted in receiving Jesus into her heart, mind, body, and soul; so also our Amen when we receive Jesus in Holy Communion results in Jesus entering into our heart and into the very center of our being. For that reason, it is important to beg Mary for the grace to receive Jesus with great faith, devotion, and love in Holy Communion.

8. LUKE 1: 46-55. MARY’S MAGNIFICAT. We conclude on a Marian note taken from the great Marian lover, Saint Louis de Montfort, who gave us True Devotion to Mary. Related to the Mass, Holy Communion, and the Eucharist, de Montfort says that one of the best ways that we can render a proper thanksgiving to Jesus after receiving Him in Holy Communion is by praying Mary’s MAGNIFICAT. “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior…”

Through the intercession of the most pure and Immaculate Heart of Mary may all of you grow in your faith, belief, devotion, and love for Jesus in frequent and fervent Masses and Holy Communions. Indeed, Jesus is the Bread of Life, and whoever eats His Body and drinks His Blood will have eternal life in joy, peace, and happiness forever in Heaven. “O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.”

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

Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

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

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10^TH   Lk. 11: 27-28   “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” Jesus replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

• Jesus is speaking to a crowd of people one day when a woman is so moved by the truth and unction of His words that she can no longer contain herself. Praise and homage pour forth from her lips for the mother who bore Him! “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.”
• On this very day the words of the Magnificat are fulfilled: “Henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed.” This unnamed woman begins a litany of praise for Mary that will continue down through the ages until the end of time!
• Jesus then gives even greater honor to Mary: “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Did not Elizabeth say this of Mary: “Blessed is she who believed the word the Lord spoke to her would be fulfilled.” (Lk. 1:45) Mary was the first and most faithful disciple of Jesus!
• St. Josemaria Escriva: “It was a compliment to His Mother on her Fiat, her be it done. She lived it sincerely, unstintingly, fulfilling its every consequence, but never amid fanfare, rather in the hidden and silent sacrifice of each day.”  
• Most of us will not do great things in the world. But we can all do the ordinary things of everyday life with extraordinary love! And we can all accept the set-backs and contradictions of each day with extraordinary patience by asking Mary, the full of grace, to help us. In doing so we are working in the vineyard for the salvation of immortal souls with Jesus and Mary, with the Apostles, Martyrs, and Saints, right where we are planted! And all the trials and sufferings we encounter will save souls – just like coal under pressure turns to diamonds!

MARY’S TWO GREATEST DESIRES: THE HONOR AND GLORY OF GOD AND THE SALVATION OF IMMORTAL SOULS. By Fr. Ed. Broom, OMV

If we sincerely love Jesus and Mary His Mother, then shouldn’t we ask what their two greatest desires are? The response is this. The first is to honor and glorify God in this life and in the next. The second is that which naturally flows from honoring and glorifying God, and that is the sanctification and salvation of immortal souls for all eternity!

DANTE: THE DEVIL AND THE HOLY NAME OF MARY.  In the classic written by Dante, The Divine Comedy, in the section on Hell, Jesus is informed by the devil that a certain soul is his, a soul that is destined for eternal damnation in hell. Jesus responds by denying the devil’s assertion. The devil insists saying this soul, due to his many serious sins, is his property. Jesus then says with utter clarity and simplicity: that soul is not yours because he invoked the Holy Name of my Mother Mary! This literary masterpiece does not deny the serious quality of sin, especially mortal sin. However, it does highlight a hallmark and indispensable help on the Highway to salvation: the presence of Mary, the power of Mary, the importance of invoking the Holy Name of Mary!

Our Lady has two constant and ardent desires: first, to praise and glorify God; and second, the perseverance, sanctification, and salvation of immortal souls. As Saint Thomas Aquinas reminds us, one soul is worth more than the whole created universe! Saint Ignatius challenged Francis Xavier to conversion with one immortal Biblical phrase: “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his immortal soul?” (Mt. 16:26) 

OUR LADY AND THE TWO KEYS TO SALVATION.  In both Lourdes (1858) and Fatima (1917), Our Lady expressed the clear call to conversion from sin and to pray for the conversion of poor sinners. Our Lady’s message could be summed up in three words: SIN, PRAYER, AND SACRIFICE!!! Let us explain these words!

SIN.  Our Lady pointed out very clearly, especially in Fatima, the evil of sin. She prophesied that as a result of sin, wars had broken out and if people kept sinning, a worse war would explode. Twenty-two years after Fatima (1917) the worst war in the history of the world crashed into human history—World War II, killing millions upon millions – estimated at 50 to 58 million. Our Lady also pointed out that souls are lost to the eternal fires of hell due especially to the sins against the very demanding virtue of purity. The words of Jesus resound clear and with conviction: “Blessed are the pure of heart, for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8) Even the Immaculate Heart of Mary surrounded with sharp and penetrating thorns manifests sin in a very personal way—sin pierces the Immaculate Heart of our Heavenly Mother. Our Lady challenges each of us to look into our life, examine our conscience, and make a firm purpose of amendment once and for all to strive with all the energy in our will and in our life to renounce sin in all shapes, colors, sizes, and forms! And that includes avoiding near occasions of sin—those persons, places, things, circumstances or times of the day that draw us into sin!

PRAYER.  In all six of Our Lady’s appearances to the three children of Fatima, she exhorts them to pray the Rosary daily! Truly the Rosary is our Ladder to Heaven! The Rosary is biblical – following the lives of Jesus and Mary in Sacred Scripture. Pope Saint John Paul II in his Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae on the Rosary gives us this exhortation: to contemplate the face of Christ in union with, and at the school of, his Most Holy Mother, through the recitation of the Rosary. He says we are remembering Christ with Mary, we are learning Christ from Mary, we are being conformed to Christ with Mary, we are praying to Christ with Mary, and we proclaiming Christ with Mary!

1. The Joyful Mysteries begin with the most important moment in all human history—the Annunciation, the announcement of the Angel Gabriel to Mary that she has been chosen to be the Mother of God, and upon Mary’s consent, her Yes, and the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, we have the Incarnation—the Son of God made flesh in the Immaculate womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary! “Mary leads us to discover the secret of Christian joy, reminding us that Christianity is, first and foremost, euangelion, “good news”, which has as its heart and its whole content the person of Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the one Saviour of the world.” (Pope Saint John Paul II – Rosarium Virginis Maria)

 2. The Luminous Mysteries, the mysteries of Light introduced by Pope Saint John Paul II in 2002, cover the Public life of Christ in which He proclaims the Gospel of the Kingdom. In the second mystery, the Wedding Feast at Cana, we encounter Jesus’ first public miracle through the powerful intervention of Mary, the first among believers, and because of this, “the disciples believed in Him.” (Jn. 2:11) These mysteries culminate in the sublime mystery of the institution of the Most Holy Eucharist and the Holy Priesthood— “Do this in remembrance of me” (Lk. 22:19), necessary to perpetuate Christ’s august and sublime Gift of Self in the Eucharist!

 3. The Sorrowful Mysteries in which we walk the Way of the Cross with our Sorrowful Mother Mary. “The sorrowful mysteries help the believer to relive the death of Jesus, to stand at the foot of the Cross beside Mary, to enter with her into the depths of God’s love for man and to experience all its life-giving power.” (Pope Saint John Paul II – Rosarium Virginis Maria)

 4. The Glorious Mysteries begin with the Resurrection of Jesus and end with the Assumption of Mary into Heaven and Coronation of Mary, Queen of the Angels and Saints! With Christ’s Resurrection comes the promise of the resurrection of the faithful. Therefore, the grace of all graces is to die in the state of grace! In praying the Rosary, we beg Mother Mary’s intercession to obtain this grace of all graces. Hail Holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. 

 SACRIFICE.  In both Lourdes (1858) and Fatima (1917) the Blessed Mother, concerned about the conversion and salvation of sinners, asked for frequent and fervent prayers to be offered. However, in addition to prayers, she noted that sacrifice was also required if souls were to be saved! Jesus reiterates the same message: “Unless a man deny himself and take up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple.” (Lk. 14:26)

WAYS TO PLEASE MARY AND JESUS BY SACRIFICE.  If this is the case, that Jesus and Mary want us to offer sacrifices for the salvation of souls, then what can we do? Lucia de Los Santos once asked Our Lady of Fatima what she, Francisco, and Jacinta should do with respect to sacrifices. Our Lady responded by telling her to offer up all to God as a sacrifice. As a guide or help, we would like to suggest ten distinct areas that you can offer to Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary as forms of sacrifice, and as such collaborate with them in the salvation of many souls. Indeed, the harvest is rich, but the laborers are few. May you be among the harvesters with Jesus and Mary, in the harvest of immortal souls for all eternity!

1. MORNING OFFERING.  Start off every day by offering all you are, all you have, and all you plan to do that day to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the salvation of souls.

2. WEATHER CONDITIONS.  Instead of complaining about the heat, the cold, the rain, the wind simply accept it and thank God you are alive! If it causes you discomfort, offer it for the salvation of souls.

3. HEADACHE.  You experience a headache, unite it with the Crown-thorned Head of Jesus for those many sinners whose minds are full of sin—in their memories, thoughts, or imagination! May their minds be purified by your willingness to accept your headache!

4. TRAFFIC JAM.  Instead of giving in to both anger and impatience, say an extra Rosary for the conversion and salvation of sinners.

5. BEING IGNORED.  If at home or at work you are forgotten, not taken into account, snubbed or simply ignored, offer it in reparation for the many who treat Jesus the same way by ignoring Him or denying Him.

6. DRYNESS IN PRAYER.  You pray but there are no strong feelings or emotions, and this may go on for some time; take advantage of this spiritual desert that you are traversing by offering it for the conversion of sinners who are far from God and who are living in a moral wasteland.

7. HUMILIATIONS.  They can come in many shapes, forms, and sizes, and can be very painful! Accept them for the sake of the salvation of so many poor sinners who are on the very precipice of the eternal loss of their souls!

8. PLANS UPSET.  Inevitably life teaches us that our plans can easily be upset and overturned. Accept this and the suffering it entails, once again so as to collaborate with Jesus and Mary in the conversion and salvation of many immortal souls.

9. PAINFUL WAITING.  You have an appointment and the person arrives late. In the interim, offer your suffering by praying an extra Rosary or Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Even though waiting can be very painful, it too can be the means of the conversion and sanctification of lost sinners. God is willing to take whatever we are willing to offer Him with a sincere, pure, and generous heart to save souls!

10. SLIP, TRIP, FALL AND BRUISE.  It has happened to all of us. We forget to watch our step, we stumble, trip, fall and end up bruising ourselves, if not worse. Instead of blurting out some vulgar word, offer it for the many souls who have slipped morally, who are bruised spiritually, who have fallen into the deep mud of mortal sin and possibly are in danger of never getting up and out of their sinful condition. Perhaps your offering will help them to rise up and return to the loving embrace of the Merciful Father.

To conclude, Our Lady has an ardent longing for two things. For God to be honored, praised and glorified in this life and forever in heaven. Also, Mary loves what God loves: the conversion of sinners and the salvation of an abundant harvest of souls. Let us work generously with Jesus and Mary!

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