Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter 
Mass in the Morning

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

SATURDAY, June 4th   Jn 21: 20-25   Entrance Antiphon: “The disciples devoted themselves with one accord to prayer with the women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and his brethren, alleluia. ”

This being the First Saturday of the Month, it is good to review the practice of the First Saturday Devotion, the many graces that flow from it, then resolve to live it fully!

OUR LADY OF FATIMA: FIRST SATURDAY DEVOTION by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Traditionally Saturday has been a day devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary. However, the first Saturday of the month has a very special place and prominence in the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

THE FIVE (CONSECUTIVE) FIRST SATURDAYS OF THE MONTH.  Our Lady of Fatima exhorts us to live out the practice of the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays of the Month Devotion. If done according to her wish, she promises a most extraordinary grace.

WHAT IS THAT EXTRAORDINARY GRACE?  Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori stated that the grace of all graces is the grace of final perseverance in the grace of God. In simple terms, this means the eternal salvation of your immortal soul. The primary purpose of our existence is the salvation of our soul, to make it safely to heaven. Our Lady has a most ardent desire to help all of us to make it safely home to heaven. However, we must heed with humility, obedience, and faithfulness her simple requests.

WHAT ARE THE REQUESTS AND REQUIREMENTS THAT OUR LADY OF FATIMA ASKS OF US? They are four simple requests, related principally to two basic topics or themes: our Sacramental life, and a life of meditation and prayer. Let us explain now clearly these requirements and then let us try to really live out the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays of the Month Devotion starting as soon as possible!

1. SACRAMENTAL CONFESSION OF REPARATION. 

Mary, Queen of Mercy, wants all of us to have recourse to the Sacrament of the Merciful Heart of Jesus and that is Confession. Therefore, try to examine your conscience thoroughly, and if necessary have a guide. Beg for the grace of sincere, total, and heartfelt sorrow for your sins. Also, have a firm purpose of amendment, in which you try to avoid all occasions of sin, that is to say, persons, places, things, or circumstances that might lead you into sin. Confess your sins to the priest who represents Christ. You are obliged to confess the number and kind of mortal sins. Then do not forget to carry out the penance that the priest imposes on you! This Confession can be made a week before the First Saturday, or a week after. Finally, one very important specification: the Confession must be a CONFESSION OF REPARATION, that is, a Confession made with the intention of reparation for all sins, your sins as well as all the sins that have pierced the Immaculate Heart of Mary. By saying NO to sin we actually say YES to the love of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

2. HOLY COMMUNION OF REPARATION. 

Our Lady desires ardently that we attend Mass, but she also desires most especially that we receive Holy Communion—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus her Son. However, there is another specification and it is this, it must be a COMMUNION OF REPARATION. The word reparation refers implicitly to damage done, but this is moral damage and we call this Sin. As soon as we beg God’s mercy and forgiveness for our sins, in a mere heartbeat God forgives. As the Psalmist reminds us: “God is slow to anger and rich in mercy.” (Ps. 103:8) However, this must be said, God’s forgiveness also demands some form of reparation for the sins committed. A simple example! If you break something that does not belong to you—it can be anything, but take as an example a beautiful statue—then you should apologize to the owner of the statue. But that is not enough! You should be ready and willing to pay for or replace the broken statue. That is what we call Reparation in theological terms. Another example taken from the reception of the Sacraments would be the worthy reception of the Sacrament of Confession. The very last step of making a good confession is that of carrying out the penance that was imposed on you by the Confessor. This penance carried out fully and willingly is a sign of repentance, but also a concrete sign of one’s desire to strive to repair for the damage done by the sins committed. Likewise, the Communion received on Five Consecutive First Saturdays of the Month should be received with the desire to offer reparation for all the sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

3. THE RECITATION OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY. 

Another condition required to attain the enormous blessings of the Promise associated with the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays of the Month Devotion is the recitation of the most Holy Rosary. An interesting note on the Holy Rosary! In Fatima, 1917, Our Lady appeared to three children—Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta—six times, from May 13th through October 13th. In every one of the six apparitions, Our Lady insisted on the praying of the most Holy Rosary. Saint Pope John Paul II in his beautiful document on the Rosary reiterated the desire of Our Lady that the world pray the Rosary, especially in the context of the family. The great Pontiff begged the world to pray the Holy Rosary for two specific intentions: 1) World Peace; 2) Salvation of the Family, quoting Father Patrick Peyton: “The family that prays together, stays together.” Returning to Our Lady of Fatima and the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays Devotion, Mary also desires that this Rosary be offered in reparation for sins against her Immaculate Heart. When we say pray the Rosary, we mean pray five decades on five Mysteries from a total of twenty Mysteries of the Rosary. Our Lady wants us to go deeper and deeper in our union with her Immaculate Heart and the Heart of Jesus. This is done through prayer!

4. MEDITATION ON THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY. 

The final requirement for the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays Devotion is that of spending at least fifteen minutes meditating upon the mysteries, or at least one of the mysteries, of the most Holy Rosary. Even though not expressed explicitly, one of the primary reasons for this quiet meditation of at least 15 minutes is for us to go deeper in the profound meaning of these mysteries. Saint Pope John XXIII said that the Rosary is a summary of the Gospel itself! Indeed, if we truly want to know Jesus and Mary, love them, be willing to imitate and follow them, it is necessary to spend time thinking about their lives and actions. This is done most efficaciously by meditating on the Mysteries of the Most Holy Rosary.

In conclusion, if we carry out this practice, the extraordinary graces that Our Lady of Fatima promises to you and to me are the following, and these are her exact words: “I promise to assist at the hour of death with the graces necessary for salvation.” In concrete, this means that at the most important moment of our earthly existence, which is the very moment that we die and pass from this life to the next to be judged by Jesus, who will come to judge the living and the dead, Our Lady will be present to us and she will attain for us the grace of all graces, the grace of FINAL PERSEVERANCE!!! This means that she will attain for our hearts sincere sorrow for our sins, true repentance, and great love of God. Thereby we will attain the purpose of our life—the eternal salvation of our immortal soul!!!   

For this reason, we invite all to undertake the wonderful practice of the Five (Consecutive) First Saturdays Devotion of Our Lady of Fatima. If done, we will be united with her in heaven for all eternity to praise the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs

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

FRIDAY, June 3rd   Jn 21: 15-19   Alleluia Verse: “The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you.”

OPEN YOUR MIND & HEART TO THE HOLY SPIRIT by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The Sanctifier, Sweet Guest of the Soul, Interior Master of Prayer, Consoler and Counselor, Intimate Friend, Paraclete, Advocate, Soul of the Church, Uncreated bond of love between Father and Son—all of these express titles or names for the Third Person of the most Blessed Trinity: The Holy Spirit.

STARTS WITH BAPTISM.  From the moment we received the unmerited and gratuitous gift from God, the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, we received with this Sacrament countless graces and blessings. One of the most sublime and extraordinary gifts was “The Gift of Gifts” (CCC), the Holy Spirit. In that moment the Holy Spirit became the Divine Guest of our soul, bringing with His Presence the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit: Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Piety, and Fear of the Lord.

HEAVENLY INSPIRATIONS.  If we maintain our soul in the state of sanctifying grace, the Holy Spirit works in the depths of our being in a very special way. Heavenly inspirations from on high become more and more frequent depending on one condition: our DOCILITY, YES, DOCILITY to these heavenly inspirations. If we are humble, attentive, receptive and docile then the Holy Spirit works quietly but very powerfully in our soul and we experience in the depths of our soul an interior sweetness—these are the Fruits of the Holy Spirit. By collaborating with the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, we will experience that interior sweetness in our soul of the Fruits of the Holy Spirit: peace, joy, mildness, self-control, chastity, patience, etc. In a word, our holiness and sanctification depends in large part in allowing the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, to work more freely, openly, and powerfully in our conversion, transformation, and sanctification.

FREQUENT INSPIRATIONS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT AND DOCILITY.  In this short essay we would like to highlight certain inspirations that come from the Holy Spirit, the Sweet Guest of your soul, and the great importance to recognize them and respond to them. May Our Lady, Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit, come to our aid and pray for us that the workings of the Holy Spirit in our lives will not be frustrated but brought to a full development. “Come, Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary.” Mary was at all times, in all places, and in all circumstances totally and unreservedly open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Without doubt through her powerful intercession, Mary can help us to be more docile and responsive to the graces and inspirations from on high!

1. GO TO CONFESSION!!!  If we have the misfortune and disgrace to fall into Mortal Sin and lose sanctifying grace, then most assuredly the Holy Spirit will send inspirations to bring you back to God by means of a well-prepared, well-expressed, humble and contrite Sacramental Confession. Most surely, the Holy Spirit wants you to be restored to grace, but He respects our free-will!

2. OPEN OUR HEARTS TO PRAYER.  One of the titles describing the work of the Holy Spirit is that of “Interior Master of the soul”. This title means that the Holy Spirit wants to teach us how to communicate with God through prayer. For most of us, prayer is often a struggle, and we might even say that we do not really know how to pray. Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans responds to this quandary and struggle in our spiritual life with these words: “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes with ineffable groans so that we can say, Abba, Father.” (Rom. 8:26)

3. GO DEEPER AND LONGER INTO THE INFINITE OCEAN OF PRAYER.  Not only will the Holy Spirit gently but insistently invite us to pray through His Holy inspirations, but He will challenge us to both pray more and at greater length, as well as go deeper in our prayer. Prayer can be compared to the ocean. We can walk along the seashore and allow the waves to barely graze our feet or we can go into the deep, drop the anchor, and the ocean seems to be a bottomless abyss. So it is in our relationship with God; He is infinite and so can our prayer become better and better, deeper and deeper! Beg Him for the grace; a prayer He loves to answer!

4. READ, REFLECT, REASON, AND RUN TO GOD.  This is our daily Holy Hour! The Holy Spirit will challenge us to slow down in our active and frenetic life characterized by the spirit of the day called ACTIVISM. The Holy Spirit will nudge us daily to stop, slow down, take up the Scriptures or a good spiritual book and start to read the text slowly, reflecting upon it as Mary did when she pondered in her Immaculate Heart, then discern its deeper meaning, and finally, run to God as our most our sure haven and source of refuge. “Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth.” (Ps. 124:8)

5. SEEK ADVICE.  At times, when we find ourselves in a state of desolation and confusion, the Holy Spirit might nudge us to seek help, to seek advice, to seek counsel and direction through a human medium or intermediary, and this would be a spiritual-director. Saint John of the Cross states wryly: “He who has himself as director, has an idiot as a disciple.” Put bluntly, we cannot adequately direct ourselves because we all have many BLIND-SPOTS in our spiritual journey!

6. PUSH TO PRACTICE PENANCE.  It is impossible to be under the guidance and influence of the Holy Spirit and not have nudges, gentle pushes, interior lights and inspirations to engage in the practice of penance. In very clear and unequivocal terms Jesus asserted: “Anyone who wishes to be my follower must renounce himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” (Mt. 16:24) In so many words, the great woman Mystic and Doctor of the Church, St. Teresa of Avila, states that prayer and a life of indulgence and sensuality are diametrically opposed. They are like oil and vinegar—they simply do not mix!

7. HUMBLE YOURSELF AND RECONCILE, MAKING PEACE.  In no uncertain terms, Jesus commands us to strive to be at peace with our brothers and sisters. So much so that Jesus says if you are about to present your gift at the altar and recall that your brother has something against you, leave the gift, go and reconcile with your brother, and then come back to offer the gift. This can be interpreted in the light of Holy Mass, our offering at the Offertory and Holy Communion. In other words, the Holy Spirit cannot work powerfully and efficaciously in a heart that is proud, resentful, bitter, and angry! Jesus said that He is meek and humble of heart and He challenges us to be the same! (Mt. 11:28-30)

8. WALK THE EXTRA MILE: EVEN WHEN YOU DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT!  Once again related to the topic or theme of sacrifice, often the Holy Spirit will challenge us by His heavenly inspirations to walk the extra mile and move on to some task, work, or activity when we are tired, maybe even exhausted. However, if we correspond with docility and generosity to the inspiration, His grace and strength will never be lacking. Jesus said to the Great Apostle Saint Paul: “My grace is sufficient.” (2 Cor. 12:9) The Holy Spirit will never inspire in your mind and heart a proposal that He will not give you sufficient grace to carry out! Our prayer must be: “Holy Spirit, I trust in your power and presence to help me carry out your Will.”

9. SLEEP LESS, EAT LESS, PRAY MORE, WORK HARDER, CARRY THE CROSS TRUSTINGLY AND OVERFLOW WITH JOY!  If you read through the lives of the saints, who are the spiritual masterpieces of God in the words of Saint Pope John XXIII, you will notice the following characteristics of many of the saints. They spend less time in bed and less time at the table chowing down, allowing them time to pray more, work harder and more efficaciously, and without complaining! Then they have many crosses, and I say many crosses. However, in the midst of all of these apparent hardships and trials they are overflowing with peace, happiness, and joy! All of this is obviously the working of the Holy Spirit. Test yourself in these areas; how do you rate???

10. INSPIRATIONS TO TURN, TALK, AND DRAW CLOSE TO, AS WELL AS CONFIDE IN, HIS MYSTICAL SPOUSE—THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY!!!  The Blessed Virgin Mary is the Daughter of God the Father, the Mother of God the Son, and the Mystical Spouse of the Holy Spirit. This being the case, the Holy Spirit will often inspire you to open up your heart and talk to Mary about your life, your thoughts and feelings, your struggles and battles, your failures and victories, your hopes and dreams! Saint Louis de Montfort in his spiritual classic, True Devotion to Mary states: “Those who love Mary, the Holy Spirit flings Himself into their souls.”

In conclusion, our conversion, sanctification, transformation and perseverance in grace depends in large part upon our relationship with the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier. Holiness depends on being docile to the Heavenly inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let us start right now and make a firm decision and commitment to be more docile and attentive to the inner workings and inspirations of the Holy Spirit in our lives! “If today you hear His voice harden not your hearts.” (Psalm 95:7-8) May this be our prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary.”

Thursday of the Seventh Week of Easter

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

THURSDAY, June 2nd   Jn 17: 20-26   “Lifting up his eyes to heaven, Jesus prayed saying: ‘I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me.’”

This was part of Jesus’ Last Supper discourse. He had just prayed to the Father for His apostles that He has been with for three years. Now He is looking into the future and praying for His followers down through the ages, and that includes us! More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus was already thinking about and praying for you and for me! How precious we are in His eyes! Let us pray with Fr. Ed’s own heartfelt prayers to Jesus with great love!

JESUS: THE CENTER OF MY LIFE! By Father Ed Broom, OMV

Jesus Christ is the center of all human history, the alpha and the omega, the principle and foundation, the beginning and the end, the key that unlocks eternal life to all who believe and place their trust in Him. By His Incarnation, life, death, and Resurrection, Jesus has divided history into two blocks of time: B.C. and A.D. Never has any other person come onto the stage of human history and had such a huge impact, and He did this all in no more than 33 years.

The following exposition in its essence is a prayer to Jesus. The short prayer expressions or prayer gems are taken from Sacred Scripture, most of them from the texts of the Gospels. If you like, these are Christological titles transformed into short prayers. It is our intention and desire that you will very slowly pray over these titles in imitation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, who pondered the Word of God in her Immaculate Heart.

CHRISTOLOGICAL TITLES TRANSFORMED INTO PRAYER…

Titles for Jesus are many and rich indeed!  Let us learn to pray, to really talk to Jesus through the many and various titles inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, you are the Bread of Life. Give me a growing hunger and insatiable thirst for you. (Jn. 6:25-56)

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. Grant me the deep inner security that I am never really alone because you are walking next to me, by my side, guiding me with your rod and your staff. (Psalm 23 / Jn. 10:1-18)

Jesus, you are truly the Resurrection and the Life. Attain for me an ardent yearning to live with you for all eternity in heaven. (Jn. 11:1-44)

Jesus, your name means Savior. I beg you to stretch out your gentle but strong hand to save me. Lord Jesus, save me from doubt, from my inner fears and anxieties, from my lack of trust in your Divine Providence. Lord Jesus, in the midst of the storms of life, when it seems as if my life is on the verge of capsizing and sinking, descend upon me with your calm. Lead me to a safe haven. (Lk. 1:67-80)

Jesus, you are truly the Divine Physician, the Divine Doctor. I implore you to touch me with your hand and heal me. Lord Jesus, I admit my infirmities. Heal my mind with your light. Heal my soul with your grace. Heal my memory with your peace. Heal my body with your strength. (Mt. Chapters 8 and 9)

Jesus, you are the best of all Teachers.  As I sit before you, I beg for your light, for you to truly become my Teacher. I thank you for the Gospels (Good News) in which I can sit at your feet to absorb and drink in your Words of Truth. (Jn. 20:16)

Jesus, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Pave the way for me on the highway to heaven. Inundate me with the rays of your truth. To finally attain for me eternal life in heaven. (Jn. 14:6)

Jesus, you are the Alpha and Omega, the Principle and Foundation of my life. Attain for me fullness of life by having you at the very center of my life—in my thoughts, words, decisions, and actions. (Rev. 22:13)

Jesus, you said: “I am the Light of the world.” Cast out the dark regions present in my mind, my memory, my understanding, my intentions, and my life. Shine on me and in me, so that your Presence in my life may enlighten many others. (Jn. 8:12)

Jesus, you are truly the Logos—the Word of God issuing forth from the Eternal Father. May your words be engraved deeply in my whole being so that I will be a living expression of your truth in the world. (Jn. 1:1)

Jesus, you are Emmanuel—God with us! In this journey of life heading toward our eternal destiny—heaven, may I constantly be aware of your gentle and consoling presence. May my prayer be that of the disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Stay with us, Lord, for the day is far spent.” (Lk. 24:29)

Jesus, you are the Christ-Messiah, the Anointed One. Through Baptism and Confirmation, I have received a double-anointing. I implore you to anoint my thoughts and my words so that I will be an anointed presence for my brothers and sisters. (I Jn. 5:1)

Jesus, you indeed are The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. By your Precious Blood that I receive through the Sacraments of Confession and Communion, may I be cleansed and purified of all my past sins and live in the liberty of the sons and daughters of God. (Jn. 1:29)

Jesus, you are the Healing Hand that saves. Stretch out your hand to touch my festering wounds and heal me, and all of suffering humanity. (Mt. 8:1-4)

Jesus, you are indeed the Wounded-Healer. Indeed, it is by your wounds that we are healed. May I seek refuge in your wounds, especially your wounded Sacred Heart! Indeed, this is my true and eternal refuge. (Is 53: 5)

Jesus, you are the Friend who is always faithful. May I always experience you as a true friend, always willing to walk with me, talk with me, welcome me, and be present to me. You indeed are the true Friend who will never fail me. (Jn. 15: 15)

Jesus, you are the Son of God made man. I am eternally grateful to you for becoming like us in all things except sin. I praise and thank you for assuming your humanity from the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Lk. 1: 26-38)

Jesus, you are the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings. As such, I adore you and pay you homage as King of my whole being. Jesus, as King, I beg you to reign over my whole being. Reign over my mind, my thoughts, my imagination, my feelings, my intentions, my body and soul in time and for all eternity. (Rev. 19: 16)

Jesus, you indeed are the Crucified Savior. May my love and devotion to you result in crucifying and putting to death all in me that is unworthy of you—that is to say, sin and all of its negative effects. “We adore you, O Christ, and we praise you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.” (Mt 27: 32-56)

Jesus, your Most Sacred Heart is a burning furnace of charity. Set my heart on fire with love for you and with love for souls. You said: “I have come to cast fire on the earth and I am not at peace until that fire be enkindled.” Lord Jesus, give me that fire! (Lk. 12: 49)

Jesus, you are the Son of God, the Son of man, and the Son of Mary! Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your loving Mother, may I arrive at a deeper knowledge of you, a deeper love for you, a deeper understanding of you, and a more earnest yearning and longing to follow you all the days of my life! Jesus, Son of the Blessed Virgin Mary, may you be the very center of my life, now and for all eternity. Amen. (Mk. 6:3)

Copyright 2022 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Memorial of Saint Justin, Martyr

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

WEDNESDAY, June 1st   Jn 17: 11B-19   Alleluia Verse: “Your word, O Lord, is truth; consecrate us in the truth.”

At the Last Supper, Jesus told the Apostles: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” (Jn 14:16-17)

GET TO KNOW THE HOLY SPIRIT—GOD’S GIFT TO YOU! By Fr. Ed Broom

Common sense teaches us that it is almost impossible for us to really love a person if we do not know that person. This principle can be applied to our relationship with God, to our relationship with the Blessed Trinity, to our relationship with the Holy Spirit.

GET TO KNOW GOD AND JESUS. 

In Diary, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Jesus pointed out to Saint Faustina that one of the ways that she could get closer to God, get to know God better, would be to meditate upon one or some of His attributes. By attribute is meant, descriptive quality.  Omnipotence, Omniscience, Wisdom, Eternal, Infinite, Love—these are a few of the attributes given to God. With respect to Jesus, there are many simply gleaned from the Gospel text: Lord, God, Savior, Way, Truth, Life, Good Shepherd, Bread of Life, Lamb of God, Light of the World, the Alpha and Omega, etc. Following up in this line of thought, let us apply this now to the Person of the Holy Spirit. There are many titles that can be attributed to the Holy Spirit, most especially in the prayer called “The Sequence” that the Church prays on the Solemnity of Pentecost, as well as in the prayer that the Church calls “Litany of the Holy Spirit.”

TITLES FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT. 

This brief essay has as its thrust and purpose to highlight ten of the most noteworthy titles given to the Holy Spirit. It is our hope that all will get to know the Holy Spirit better and deeper, speak more often to the Holy Spirit as your Best-Friend, and most important, fall in love with the Person of the Holy Spirit. In fact, it is the Holy Spirit Himself who can teach us to love sincerely!

1. THE SANCTIFIER.

Let us initiate our title description for the Holy Spirit with the title “The Sanctifier”.  What this word really means is that the Holy Spirit is the one who makes us holy! Pope Saint John XXIII stated: “The saints are the masterpieces of the Holy Spirit”.  Indeed, you are called to become a saint. Therefore, why not entrust your goal and mission to the Person of the Holy Spirit. Pray this simple prayer every day: “Holy Spirit, make me a saint!!!” By way of biographical note, we encourage you to read the spiritual masterpiece of the saintly Bishop of Mexico City, Luis Martinez, in his work on the Holy Spirit with the title, you can probably guess it… “The Sanctifier”!

2. CONSOLER.

Life can be tough. The cross at times can be exceedingly heavy and burdensome; trials, contradictions and even persecutions can visit us frequently. With the cross weighing heavy on our shoulders, we all need at times some consolation from a Good-Friend. That consolation can come from none better than the Holy Spirit who is invoked as The Consoler. In the classical prayer to the Holy Spirit we pray: “May we always rejoice in His consolation.” Call on Him and share your burdens with Him; He will bring you comfort and strength.

3. COUNSELOR. 

Not only is the Holy Spirit known as the Consoler, but also as the Counselor! When in doubt, when the heavy cloud of uncertainty descends upon you, when weariness, frustration, and confusion seem to darken your reasoning powers, then it is time to recoil from the battle-field and fervently invoke and pray to the Holy Spirit for light, for counsel, for insight so that you can make the right decision for the honor and glory of God and for the salvation of immortal souls. Pray as such: “Holy Spirit, cast out my darkness and give me light!”

4. INTERIOR MASTER OF PRAYER. 

Anybody who takes their spiritual life and prayer life seriously, sooner or later will encounter obstacles on the road to progress. This is par for the course in the spiritual life! Therefore, when it seems as if your prayer life is stagnant or even paralyzed, that you are on a spiritual tread-mill going nowhere fast, then it is most certainly the time and moment to invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit. Even the great Apostle Saint Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, expressed his struggle in prayer with these words: “We do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with ineffable groans so that we can say Abba-Father.” (Rom 8:26) Indeed the Holy Spirit is the Interior Master of your soul and He is most willing to help you to pray if you ask and have an open and docile heart.

5. THE GIFT OF GIFTS.

One of the simplest but sublime titles that is given to the Holy Spirit in the Catechism of the Catholic Church is that of The Gift of Gifts! The nature of the theology of Gift is that it is given freely, free of charge. We simply have to open our hearts to receive it! Simply pray, “Come, Holy Spirit, Come!” If God wants to give The Gift of Gifts to you then why not open up your heart in humble gratitude and receive it!

6. THE BOND OF LOVE. 

In the Mystery of the Most Blessed Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the bond of love between the Father and the Son. In a word, the Holy Spirit is uncreated love. Saint Paul states that charity—supernatural love—is the bond of perfection. Why not, right now, beg the Holy Spirit to set your heart on fire with the love of God! Saint John of the Cross writes most beautifully: “In the twilight of our existence we will be judged on love.”

7. SWEET GUEST OF THE SOUL. 

One of the most poetic and beautiful titles found in the Prayer to the Holy Spirit on Pentecost called the Sequence is the following: “Holy Spirit, Sweet Guest of the Soul.” In essence, its meaning is the following: through Baptism we became living Temples of the Blessed Trinity and this of course includes the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Not only is He a Guest in the most intimate part of our being which is our soul, but still more, He is the SWEET GUEST. As honey is to the tongue, and the fragrance of spring roses to the nostrils, so is the Holy Spirit to the docile, humble, and loving soul. In the midst of the bitter valleys and dark tunnels that we must all traverse, in the depths of our being we can invoke the Holy Spirit as the Sweet Guest of our soul. He will bring a sweetness to our most bitter trials.

8. THE SOUL OF THE CHURCH.

With respect to basic Ecclesiology, the study and knowledge of the Church, the Holy Spirit has a primary and essential role. Jesus is the Head of the Mystical Body, the Church and we are the Members of the Mystical Body, the Church. The Holy Spirit is the SOUL of the Mystical Body, the Church. By definition the soul is the life-giving principle! Indeed, if we truly want to experience life and life in abundance in the Lord and His Church, we must constantly invoke the Presence of the Holy Spirit. “In Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)

9. THE PURIFIER. 

One of the most common symbols or images for the Holy Spirit is that of FIRE. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles as FIRE—TONGUES of FIRE. Our God is a devouring fire. In drawing close to this devouring fire that is the Holy Spirit, He desires to burn away in us anything that is not pleasing to God. Saint John of the Cross uses the image of a piece of rusty metal cast into an ardent and scathing fire. In time, all the rust falls off and the metal becomes red hot like the fire. So does the Holy Spirit, this consuming fire, work efficaciously to scour, burn, and purify from our soul all our sins and the residual effects of sin. So we can say with Saint Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20)

10. THE MYSTICAL SPOUSE OF MARY. 

Finally, the Holy Spirit in His relationship to the Blessed Virgin Mary is that of being her Mystical Spouse. It was through the powerful overshadowing of the Holy Spirit that the Blessed Virgin Mary conceived Jesus within her womb—the sublime accomplishment of the Incarnation of the Son of God. Saint Louis de Montfort makes this consoling connection: “Those who love Mary, the Holy Spirit flings Himself into their souls.”

In conclusion, by praying and meditating upon these ten titles, names or descriptions of the Holy Spirit, we pray that you will get to know this Sweet Guest of your soul, that you will enter into more frequent conversation with your Interior Master, and finally, that you will learn the art of truly loving God with your whole being, and your neighbor created in the image and likeness of God, from the Holy Spirit who is “uncreated love”. Come Holy Spirit, come through the Heart of Mary.

Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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

TUESDAY, May 31st   Lk 1: 39-56   Alleluia Verse: “Blessed are you, O Virgin Mary, who believed that was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

Everything we need to know about our personal sanctity is expressed in this exposition of Mary’s visit to Elizabeth by Fr. Ed.  

10 BEAUTIFUL THINGS ABOUT THE VISITATION by Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Mary is our model, teacher, guide, and inspiration, our life, our sweetness and our hope, to all who raise their eyes to her with love. In the beautiful prayer of Saint Bernard, the Memorare, we pray with confidence: “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession was left unaided.”

May is the month of Mary and it concludes with one of the most beautiful Marian Feast days—the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to her cousin Saint Elizabeth. Many superb spiritual lessons can be learned from this Marian gem, which is also the Second Joyful Mystery. Let us descend into this “Spiritual Gold Mine” and grab on to these excellent treasures.

1. CONNECTION BETWEEN THE ANNUNCIATION AND VISITATION.  The last part of the prior mystery—the Annunciation/Incarnation, ends with Mary’s Fiat, that is to say, Mary’s Yes to become the Mother of God. Her exact words were: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me according to your word.” (Lk 1:38) In that moment, one of the most sublime events in the history of the world took place: the Incarnation of the Son of God. That is to say, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity descended from His heavenly throne and became Incarnate (man) in the most pure womb of the Virgin Mary! In rapt awe, we humbly adore this sublime mystery!

2.  COMMUNION AND FRATERNAL CHARITY.  Mary did not keep the “Gift” of Jesus to herself, but went in haste to share the gift with others. She started on an 80 mile journey traveling uphill to Ain Karim to visit her cousin Elizabeth and also to help her cousin in her need. Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Exhortation “Sacramentum Caritatis” insists that Mass and Holy Communion must transform us into ardent missionaries who bring the Good News of Jesus to the whole world!

3.  IN HASTE.  Mary did not procrastinate, put off, delay, make excuses, rationalize, or justify postponing her trip; rather, she followed the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and moved immediately. Lesson! Upon receiving good inspirations from the Holy Spirit, we should be both docile and prompt to respond!

4.  TRAVEL WITH MARY AND TALK TO HER.  Enter into an Ignatian contemplative scene and imagine traveling with Mary. Notice her joy, her quick pace, her awareness of Jesus within her, her determination to carry out God’s will despite the possible obstacles—all of these make up your long trek to Ain Karim with Mary. Admire her majesty, but also be inspired by her humility and simplicity. During this long journey together, open up your heart and talk to Mary about what is going on in your life. Why not even tell her what is most heavy on your heart! Mary is the best of listeners!

5.  EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION.  Remember! The little baby Jesus is already present in the womb of Mary. Therefore, as you travel, remember that this indeed is a “Eucharistic Procession”—a Corpus Christi procession! Mary always wants to draw us closer to Jesus! Her last words at the wedding Feast of Cana were: “Do whatever He tells you!” (Jn 2:5) Great advice! Beg for the grace to have greater faith, love, and devotion for Jesus truly present in the Eucharist!

6.  JOY!  This is the 2nd Joyful Mystery. Being with Jesus and Mary is the true and authentic source of joy. Mary’s canticle, her Magnificat, emphasizes this truth: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” (Lk 1:46-47) May we always seek joy in this authentic source: JESUS THE LORD!

7.  GREETING!  Most likely Mary greeted Elizabeth with the typical Jewish greeting, SHALOM—peace be with you! Our homes, families, communities, parishes, groups, and activities should be characterized by a “Shalom” atmosphere. A warm welcoming and inviting milieu should be created. An essential note of apostolic effectiveness is that of creating this warm and welcoming environment. Mary teaches us this by her greeting!

8.  BABY JOHN LEAPS FOR JOY!  At the sound of Mary’s greeting the infant John leaps for joy in the womb of Saint Elizabeth! What is happening here? Jesus, even before being born, is acting as Redeemer in freeing His cousin John from the bondage of Original Sin.  Message! Our contact with Jesus and Mary through prayer will undoubtedly serve as a powerful means to diminish the grip of sin upon us and eventually shatter the binding force and slavery of sin. Sin indeed is slavery and Jesus and Mary came to give us freedom, the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God! “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.”

9.  PRO-LIFE PASSAGE “PAR EXCELLENCE!”  Both of these women in the modern society would be candidates for abortion. Why? Mary was very young; whereas Elizabeth was very old. However, both women had infinite trust in God’s Divine Providence! Because of this, Elizabeth gave birth to the great Saint John the Baptist, and Mary gave birth to JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! By our meditation on the mystery of the Visitation, at all times may we be staunch defenders of human life, from the moment of conception until natural death. God is the Author and Origin of life and only He has the right to take life to Himself!

10.  MARY AND ACTIVE SERVICE.  Love for God cannot limit itself to words, but must manifest itself in actions, in service, in seeing Jesus truly present in others! Not only did Mary greet Elizabeth, but she also actively served her aged and pregnant cousin in her need! With a little bit of imagination (Ignatian Contemplation), we can picture Mary and accompany her in active service! 

What might have been some of the activities that Mary would have carried out with joy and love? Walking to the well to get water— no running water back then! Sweeping the dust and dirt from their humble home—no vacuum cleaners 2000 years ago! Washing and hanging clothes out to dry—no expensive washing machines and dryers to quicken the work. Cooking and baking, preparing the meals, setting the table, washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen after eating—there was no Burger King, Pizza-Hut, or KFC available! Nor were there overflowing refrigerators to be checked and emptied of the waste every week!  

All of these humble, domestic chores Mary would have carried out with the greatest love and attention to aid her cousin Elizabeth. Remember! Holiness does not depend on the greatness of the act, but on the great love that accompanies every action—even if it appears to be small and insignificant in the eyes of the world. The secret of the sanctity of Saint Therese, and Mary in the mystery of the Visitation, is to do the ordinary things of daily life with extraordinary love! That is sanctity!

In conclusion, let us contemplate the life, words, gestures, and actions of Mary, most holy, especially in the Mystery of the Visitation, and be motivated to transfer our contemplative life into active service of our brothers and sisters, who are really Jesus Christ! For, “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” (Mt 25:40)

Copyright 2022 Oblates of the Virgin Mary / St. Peter Chanel Church, Hawaiian Gardens, CA