Ten-steps to conquer the wolf-devil of porn.

National Geographic once presented a contest between a buffalo and a wolf, and a pack of wolves. It was presented in this fashion. A bulky but fleet-footed buffalo was racing freely and rapidly in the expansive desert. His hoofs pounded roughly against the desert dusty surface, kicking up dust as he raced along. The constant beating and pounding of his hooves against the hard ground deafened him to all other noises. Totally oblivious to the environment, the buffalo forged ahead to his apparent destiny, unaware of what was rapidly pursuing him.

From a distance of more than a football-field in this remote scene in the desert could be detected a small but fast moving animal. Actually rushing at a faster pace than the buffalo, this animal with determined determination sought out and was in hard pursuit of the oblivious buffalo. What was this animal? A ravenous wolf!

The distance between the wolf and the buffalo shortened and shortened: 50 yards, then 25, then 5. Despite the proximity of the two, due to the clattering of his hooves, the buffalo remained oblivious to his approaching enemy. Already within a few feet, the wolf launched himself forward and sunk his sharp and jagged teeth into the heel of the buffalo. The wound from the wolf’s penetrating teeth forced the immediate collapse of the buffalo. Wounded by a deep gash in his heel, the buffalo cascaded to the ground, with the wolf peering down upon his prey with an air of victory.

Within minutes, a pack of wolves surrounded the buffalo. The first rapidly bit, digging his sharp teeth into the flesh of the buffalo; then another wolf did the same, and another. In a short time all the wolves had their fill. Nothing was left of the enormous, bulky, strong buffalo except a skeleton of bones.

In our modern world we find ourselves surrounded not simply by one wolf or a pack of wolves, but many ferocious moral enemies that pursue our spiritual and moral life at every turn of the road.

Among the most ferocious, tenacious, insidious and relentless enemies of our eternal salvation is the wolf of pornography. In fact, there are packs of these malicious and vicious wolves, indeed ravenous wolves that are on the prowl, seeking to pursue us and attack us day and night. Behind this wolf of pornography is the devil himself, whom Jesus calls both a murderer and a liar from the beginning. (Jn. 8: 44)

There is much that can be said on this topic, and books written on the topic, but we would like to highlight in this short essay a game-plan, a strategy, a working procedure that can be taken to prevent this ravenous wolf of pornography from wreaking havoc in our families, our marriages, our teens and even children, men and women alike.

In fact, if we do not have a clear, simple and concrete strategy then we can become a slave of the devil, a prey of the wolf, and an addict of this enemy—pornography—for years, for decades, and possibly even enslaved all of our lives. To make matters worse and more serious, we can even jeopardize the eternal salvation of our souls. More than 100 years ago, Our Lady of Fatima stated unequivocally that most souls are lost, condemned to the fires of hell, as a result of the sins against the virtue of purity. Of course, the ravenous wolf of porn is a chief cohort of the army of the devils of impurity.

Therefore, let us outline a concrete ten-step program to unmask, bind, and conquer the wolf of pornography in our families, marriages, and in our own personal lives.

THE TEN STEP STRATEGY-PLAN TO CONQUER THE WOLF OF PORNOGRAPHY

1. LIFE IS A CONSTANT COMBAT.  Let’s start off with a very clear understanding that our life on earth is a constant battle between good and evil, light and darkness, the devil vs. the good angels. Saint Ignatius presents this with the Contemplation of the Two Standards: the Standard of Christ and His followers in battle against the Standard of Satan and his minions. This instills in our conscious state that we always have to be on guard against the furtive, wily, insidious attacks of the enemy. Saint Ignatius calls the devil, “The enemy of our salvation.”

2. A DANGEROUS STATE OF SOUL: DESOLATION.  In fact, when we find ourselves in the state of desolation, something we all experience as part of being human, that is precisely when the devil raises his artillery to shoot for the kill. Desolation is basically when we feel a lack of faith, hope, and charity. We feel sad and depressed, nobody seems to understand us or care about us. Our life does not seem to have any meaning or purpose. We feel as if we are in a dark tunnel or enveloped in a dense, dark cloud. At times like this, the Kryptonite or basic weak point for many is that of sensuality, lust, and the pull towards the wolf of porn. Half of winning the battle is having a keen awareness of being in the state of desolation, and knowing that the enemy, the devil, will draw close and offer us an escape-valve for this state of desolation by having recourse to the wolf of porn. The enemy will present porn as something that is not bad, but rather something normal, accepted by all, a necessary part of life, a part of being human. Be aware and remember, the devil is the father of lies. (Jn. 8:44)

3. IGNATIAN RULE SIX: THE SAFETY-NET TO PREVENT FALLING INTO DESOLATION. A master of the spiritual life, Saint Ignatius offers us four spiritual weapons to wield to conquer desolation, as well as to overcome the devil-wolf of porn. These weapons are not novelties but rather classical tools in Spiritual Combat. However, if not wielded and implemented opportunely then the ravenous wolf of porn can sink his sharp teeth into us! These weapons are:

A) PRAYER.  Jesus commanded the Apostles: “Stay awake and pray because the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” (Mt. 26: 41)

B) MEDITATION.  Be faithful to meditation on the Word of God that is called the two-edged sword. Make your daily Holy Hour, your Hour of Power! (Fulton Sheen)

C) PENANCE.  Ignatius insists on doing some suitable penance. Jesus stated clearly: “Some devils can be cast out only by prayer and fasting.” (Mt. 17: 21)

D) EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE. Examine your conscience and life to see if you have opened a door, crevice, or even a crack where the devil can enter.

4. EYES: BE VIGILANT WITH YOUR EYES. Indeed, the eyes are the mirror of the soul. Constantly we must control our wandering eyes that can easily betray us and lead us into the camp of the wolf, of the devil that we call porn. The fall of King David was precipitated by this holy man allowing his eyes to wander towards the beautiful woman, Bathsheba, on the rooftop.

5. CELL-PHONE, SOCIAL-MEDIA, INTERNET—A TWO-EDGED SWORD. It is true that all that God created was and is good. Unfortunately, the freedom that God has generously endowed us with is all too often not used for the honor and glory of God, but abused for our own selfish gratification. We all must maintain strict surveillance over the use of the social media and the internet. We should block all the porn sights; perhaps even have an accountability partner. Even at times, to avoid being alone is the best way, if possible, to avoid the attack of the wolf on the prowl. For children and teens, perhaps the best remedy is simply to prohibit them from having their own cellphone.

6. FREQUENT RECOURSE TO THE SACRAMENT OF CONFESSION. This wonderful Sacrament has as its specific effect that of HEALING. In Confession we encounter Jesus who is the DIVINE-PHYSICIAN. In fact, frequent confession can serve as preventive medicine, as well as healing medicine. Indeed, frequent confession can prevent the ravenous wolf of pornography from biting us and leaving his poison in our system.

7. IGNATIAN RULE 13. In our spiritual battle, we rely first and foremost on the grace of God. However, we must have recourse to human and spiritual tools also. Rule 13 of the Ignatian Rules for Discernment is quite simply this: In desolation and temptation open up to your Spiritual Director or Confessor. In fact, the saints tell us that once a temptation is revealed or divulged, then it is easily conquered. If we want to conquer the wolf-devil of porn, we have to talk it out with a trained Spiritual Director or Confessor. The devil can easily turn a molehill into a mountain. Openness in spiritual direction disintegrates our mountainous temptations into dust blown by the wind!

8. AVOID LAZINESS/INDOLENCE. How true the proverb: “Idleness is the workshop of the devil.” On one occasion, Saint Faustina saw the devil rushing frantically in the corridor of the convent. Jesus forced the devil to reveal where he had his major triumphs in temptation. The devil responded by saying that LAZINESS was his key means of triumph. But in that convent, he could not find one lazy Sister! If we are engaged in healthy, wholesome and productive activities, than the wolf of porn is put at bay!

9. WHOLESOME FRIENDS, SPORTS, RECREATION, REST AND JOY. On a human level when we experience joy in rich and rewarding friends, physical exercise in sports, recreation and rest that restores our physical, mental and emotional health—all of these serve as human safeguards to refrain from capitulating to the idol, the wolf of pornography. In fact, JOY is indispensable to conquer any vice, especially the addiction to porn.

10. PRAYER, MARY AND THE ROSARY. There is an anecdote of a well-known Protestant who would frequently visit book-stores (45 years ago). Even though he would be looking at spiritual books, he felt drawn to the porn-corner, to visit the wolves, at least for a short time. One day he fell upon the Rosary and prayed it once—still being a Protestant! Immediately, as if a strong chain were shattered, he no longer felt any desire to leaf through the porn-pages. In our battle to attain purity, to conquer the ugly head of the devil and put the wolves at bay, let us turn to Mary, and especially by praying the Rosary.

As David wielded the slingshot and conquered the Giant Goliath, so we can conquer the wolves of porn in our lives if we have frequent recourse to Our Lady and the most Holy Rosary. Indeed, we are very weak, but God is omnipotent, and He has entrusted many battle victories to the powerful intercession of His Mother, Mary. Indeed, the Proto-evangelium points to the woman who will conquer the enemy by her heel. May the heel of Mary conquer the ugly serpent-wolf of pornography in our lives!

How good God is that He generously offers us annually the gracious and blessed Season of Lent. A true gift it is, and we should receive it and live it out to the full.

Like the Season of Advent, Lent is a season of preparation, in this case to celebrate the high-point or summit of our spiritual life that we call the Paschal-Mystery. That is to say, Lent prepares us for Holy Week and the Easter Triduum—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday which culminates in the Glorious Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

These forty days of Lent are viewed as a spiritual pilgrimage, heading toward Calvary, the Cross of Christ, and His death on the cross. However, the last word is not death, but Life! Christ died; Christ rose from the dead, and He will come again. The Israelites spent forty years in the desert; Jonah preached that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days—if they did not repent. But of even greater importance: Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert praying, fasting, and battling the devil, giving us an example to follow. 

Our Lenten journey or pilgrimage was outlined and paved by Jesus who is indeed our Model; He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one goes to the Father except through Jesus. Indeed, if we are to prove victorious over the devil and his minions, as well as the flesh and the world that surrounds us, then Jesus is our path to victory.

Ash Wednesday introduces us to the Holy Season of Lent. By receiving the ashes, we are reminded acutely of two inevitable truths that should penetrate and permeate our minds during the whole course of these forty holy days. First, that one day we will die; the day, the hour, the moment and the manner is known to God alone. Second, conversion of life must become our password in Lent, as well as for the rest of our lives: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” (Mk. 1:15)

More important than receiving the ashes on Ash Wednesday would be to participate fully, actively and consciously in Holy Mass; and, if in the state of grace, to receive Holy Communion.

The Readings for Mass on Ash Wednesday, and most specifically the Holy Gospel, set the scene for the tone and thrust of the 40-day Lenten Pilgrimage.

Taken from the Sermon on the Mount, our Lord and Master, and greatest of Teachers, sets down the groundwork for the Lenten discipline. (Mt. 6: 1-24) This spiritual Strategy or Plan of Life can be summarized in three fundamental practices.

Father Al Hall, O.M.V. presents a tri-dimensional portrayal of this spiritual program: 1) go up—this is through prayer; 2) go in—this is through penance or fasting; 3) go out—this is through the practice of almsgiving or if you like the corporal works of mercy. (Read Mt. 25: 31-46)

Our thrust in this brief essay will be to offer various ways that we can go up to God by exercising a more frequent and fervent prayer-life. If done efficaciously, by going up to God in prayer, undoubtedly, God will shower down on us an abundant deluge of graces and blessings. The Highway to Holiness will be our Road-map to heaven.

We invite all to read carefully, better yet, meditate calmly these few ideas. Then choose as many of these practices as you are inspired to undertake so as to live out a fruitful Lent. This will culminate in a joy-filled and glorious Resurrection when the Easter sun breaks forth and shines upon us!

LET’S GO UP TO GOD WITH HANDS ON HIGH AND HE WILL RAIN DOWN GRACES IN ABUNDANCE ON US, INDEED A DELUGE OF GRACES…

1. MORNING-PRAYER.  Commence every day by offering your first fruits to God in prayer. Imitate Abel whose gift was pleasing to God because He gave God his best. Pray your Morning-offering where you give all you have, all you are, and all you will undertake this day to Jesus through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Kiss your Scapular and then you will have started off the day in a way pleasing to God. If we start off the day well, by lifting our mind and heart to God, there is a good chance that we will live the day in a way pleasing to God and end spiritually triumphant!

2. LITURGY OF THE HOURS.  Undertake the Liturgical Prayer known as the Breviary or more complete, the Liturgy of the Hours. Priests, Deacons, and Religious (male and female) are all committed to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. One of the primary purposes is to sanctify the Hours of the day, but also to pray and to intercede for the people of the world, the poor, the sick, the dying and any needs of the Church.

3. THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS.  A practice highly recommended by the Church, the saints, and the Popes is the pious practice of the Stations of the Cross. Quite simply, you pass from one of the 14 stations to the next, stopping at each one and offering a prayer to Jesus who carries the cross, loaded with our sins, for the salvation of the world. Such a prayer puts us in contact with the infinite love of Jesus who willingly suffered excruciating pains for your salvation and mine. “We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you because by your cross you have redeemed the world.”

4. THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS.  Of all the prayers underneath the sun, by far the greatest of all prayers is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. This prayer unites Heaven to earth. This is the prayer in which Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, offers Himself to the Eternal Father for the salvation of all humanity, and that means each and every one of us individually. Perhaps the best of all Lenten practices would be to participate in Holy Mass and receive Holy Communion with a pure heart, and overflowing love, daily or as often as possible. Try it! Bring your family along with you!

5. CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY.  This short but efficacious prayer, in just a few words, summarizes the essence of the Paschal Mystery: Pray on the large beads: “Eternal Father, I offer you the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of your dearly Beloved Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. Pray on the small beads: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, Have mercy on us and on the whole world. Prayed five times around the Rosary beads you have completed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. These few but poignant words highlight the Paschal Mystery: the Holy Eucharist, as well as the Passion and Blood that Jesus shed for the redemption of the world.

6. CONTEMPLATE THE SEVEN SORROWS OF MARY.  If we really want to plumb the depths of the infinite suffering that Jesus underwent for our eternal salvation we must turn to Our Lady, especially Our Lady of Sorrows. Spend time contemplating how much Mary willingly suffered for love of Jesus and for love of us. The following are the Seven Sorrows of Mary: 1) The Prophecy of Simeon; 2) The Flight into Egypt; 3) The finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple after three sorrowful days of search; 4) Jesus meets Mary carrying His cross on Calvary; 5) Jesus dies as Mary stands beneath the cross; 6) The dead body of Jesus is held in the arms of Mary (Pieta of Michelangelo); 7) Jesus is taken from Mary’s arms and buried. Saints have derived infinite graces by contemplating the Seven Sorrows of Mary, Our Lady of Sorrows.

7. THE ANGELUS.  Pray the Angelus every day. If possible, pray this Marian prayer three times a day. It summarizes the two key mysteries in the life of Christ—the Incarnation and the Paschal Mystery. Aim at praying the Angelus at 9:00 a.m. so as to sanctify the morning hours; at 12 noon so as to sanctify the afternoon hours; at 6:00 p.m. so as to sanctify the night. Stay close to Mary and she will keep you close to Jesus.

8. LIVE IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.  A very holy brother, Brother Lawrence, came to the conclusion that if we can simply strive to live daily in the Presence of God, then we will avoid sin and know what is pleasing to God. Get in the habit of living in the Presence of God by saying short but fervent aspirations during the course of the day—“Jesus, I love you, save my soul”… “Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation,”… “Jesus, I trust in you”… are just a few examples among many.

9. DAILY HOLY HOUR.  Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen strongly encouraged the practice of the daily Holy Hour. He called it the HOUR OF POWER! For more than fifty years as a priest and several as a Bishop, this great Servant of God never missed even once being faithful to his daily Holy Hour. He attributed this practice, and his deep union with the Eucharistic Lord, as the key to his success as preacher, writer, world missionary and evangelist. Try it—make your own daily HOUR OF POWER!!!

10. OUR LADY AND THE HOLY ROSARY.  Not only can we undertake the practice of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, but this Lent we should strive to pray the most Holy Rosary, and most especially the contemplation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. An ideal would be to set aside some time every day to pray the Rosary in the family. How true the words of Father Patrick Peyton, the Rosary priest, resound: “The family that prays together stays together,” and, “A world at prayer is a world at peace.”

Friends in Jesus and Mary, the success of the party depends on the prior preparation. Even more important: the resounding and jubilant Joy of Easter Day and the Easter Season depend on how we live out the Holy Season of Lent. Let us live this Lenten Season as if were our last! Let us truly die to sin, so as to live in the light of the Glorious Resurrection of the Risen Lord Jesus!

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ becomes alive and visits us, touches us, and actually enters into us in His Real Person through His Mystical Body the Church! In the fullest sense of the word, Jesus becomes alive in us through the Eucharist.

All of the actions of the Church and the members of the Mystical Body of Christ converge at the source and summit of the Church in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Jesus’ earthly life lasted a mere thirty years; His public life a short three years; His death on the cross, three hours; His resurrection from the dead, less than three full days!

Before ascending into Heaven Jesus promised His Presence among us, even until the very end of time, with these words: “Go out to all nations and teach them all that I taught you; baptize them in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Behold, I am with you always even until the end of time.” (Mt 28:19-20)

If it is true that Jesus ascended into Heaven and promised that He would be with us always until the end of time, then where is He? The response: He is with us in His Mystical Body the Church.

Most specifically, Jesus becomes truly present in the Mass, the Eucharist, and the Sacramental Life. This Sacramental Life of Jesus unfolds every Church Year, Liturgical Year, in the living Liturgical Cycle. Jesus comes to us in Word and in Sacrament.

Very briefly and succinctly let us transport ourselves through the Church Liturgical Year. A strong suggestion: MEMORIZE THIS! If you can memorize these key Liturgical moments of the Life of Christ then you will be able to always locate yourself as to where, when, and what Jesus is doing right now in His Mystical Body, the Church. Hopefully, you will share this knowledge with others. Become a Liturgical catechist!

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE CHURCH YEAR

I. ADVENT.  The word Advent—meaning the coming—refers to the days and weeks before Christmas, as well as in preparation for Christmas. There are always four Sundays in the Advent Season. The Liturgical color is that of Purple, aside from Memorials, Feast Days and Solemnities.

1) SYMBOL.  One of the key symbols illuminating this Season is that of the Advent Wreath. Made in the form of a circle and green in color, the Advent wreath is decorated often with a red ribbon, sometimes an apple, but the key elements are candles. The circular symbolic sacramental has four distinct candles; three are purple and one is pink. On Christmas, the fifth candle is inserted in the very middle of the Advent wreath—white in contrast to pink and purple. That white candle in the middle signifies the Birthday of Jesus who is truly the Light of the world who came to dispel the darkness of sin.

2) MARIAN FEASTS.  Given that Advent has a very important Marian tone, there are two important Marian Liturgical celebrations: the Immaculate Conception (December 8th); then Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12th). In all of the Advent Season, the Church joyfully awaits the Birthday of Jesus with Our Lady, the expectant Mother of Jesus.

3) SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST.  Furthermore, a key Biblical figure is Saint John the Baptist who calls us to prepare the way for the Birthday of the Savior.

4) GLORIA.  The Gloria in the Mass is suppressed until Christmas Eve.

II. CHRISTMAS DAY AND CHRISTMAS SEASON ARRIVES.

Advent concludes with Christmas and the Christmas Season. It is impossible to celebrate the Birthday of Jesus—the most important Birthday in the world—in one day. There must be an Octave, as well as an extended Season, to rejoice because Jesus, Our Savior is born.

1) CHRISTMAS EVE—Christmas already starts on the Eve of Christmas. The long awaited day has arrived: Jesus is born of the Virgin Mary.

2) GLORIA. The Gloria in the Mass returns! This night, with the Angelic choirs, our hearts and voices resound: “Gloria in excelsis Deo”, which is Latin for, “Glory to God in the Highest!” 

3) CHRISTMAS MASS. Actually there are three Christmas Masses: Midnight (the night before); Christmas Mass at dawn, and the Christmas Mass of the day. Each expresses a different aspect of the Solemnity and Joy of the Birthday of Jesus.

4) OCTAVE.  For 8 days, starting with Christmas Day, the Church celebrates the Birthday of Jesus. For such an event there must be at least 8 days!

5) CHRISTMAS SEASON.  During the course of the Christmas Liturgical Season there are various important other Feasts all hinged and related to the Birth of Jesus, the Savior.

6) The Feast day of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary, and Saint Joseph.  Mary, the Mother of God, always celebrated on January 1st. As well as the Epiphany (also known as the Visitation of the Three Kings). These are the key Liturgical Feast days celebrated in the context of the Christmas Season.

7) BAPTISM OF JESUS.  Finally, with the celebration of the Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, the Christmas Season ends. Time to take down the Christmas tree and the Manger Scene.

III. ORDINARY TIME 1.  With the conclusion of the Christmas Season, the Church moves into Ordinary Time 1.

There are actually two Ordinary-Times in the course of the Church Year: one that follows immediately after the Christmas Season and the other that follows immediately after the Easter Season.

In Ordinary Time 1, the priest changes Liturgical colors, from the white of the Christmas Season to Green.

In this Liturgical Season, the Gospel Readings focus primarily on the Public Life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That is to say, the Gospels present Jesus in the midst of His Public Life which lasted about three years—from when Jesus was age 30-33.

This First Ordinary time does not last long—often close to 7-8 weeks. During these weeks that fall in January and February the Church also celebrates the Santoral—or the saints.

Ordinary time should be a time in which we strive to know, love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ in our own lives. Also, we should strive to do the Ordinary activities of our daily lives with extraordinary love.

IV. LENTEN SEASON: SEASON OF PENANCE, GRACE AND CONVERSION.

Ordinary time l comes to an end with the start of the Holy Season of Lent. The following are the basic characteristics of the Holy Season of Lent:

1. ASH WEDNESDAY.
2. LITURGICAL COLOR: PURPLE.
3. TIME: 40 DAYS, NOT COUNTING SUNDAYS.
4. PERIODS OF FASTING AND ABSTINENCE.
5. SUSPEND ALLELUIA AND GLORIA IN THE MASS.
6. SPECIAL LITURGICAL MASS READINGS—AIMED AT CONVERSION.

HOLY WEEK—THE MOST HOLY WEEK OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH YEAR!

The culmination or crowning point of the Season of Lent is HOLY WEEK. It is like a great crescendo of graces in which the Church celebrates with great love and joy the saving or Redemptive actions of Jesus the Lord.

HOLY WEEK DAYS OF CELEBRATION: THE UNFOLDING OF HOLY WEEK. The following are the key elements of Holy Week.

1) PALM SUNDAY.  Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday. The Church commemorates Jesus’ entry in triumphant procession into the city of Jerusalem mounted on a donkey. Palms are distributed commemorating that day. In the Mass, the priest wears Red and the long Narrative of the Passion of Christ is read.

2) EASTER TRIDUUM.  The very heart of the Church Year is the Easter Triduum which consists of three days (triduum meaning three)—Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday.

3) HOLY THURSDAY commemorates the Last Supper and the institution of the most Holy Eucharist, as well as the Priesthood or Holy Orders.

4) GOOD FRIDAY.  With profound love and suffering the Church invites all to contemplate the Passion, suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. It is a day of fasting and abstinence.

5) HOLY SATURDAY.  On this day we accompany the Blessed Virgin Mary in her sorrows. With Our Lady of Sorrows we relive the Passion, suffering and death of Jesus her Son. We strive to relieve the Passion of Jesus as seen through the eyes and Sorrowful Heart of Mary.

V. EASTER SEASON: STARTING WITH THE EASTER VIGIL MASS.

For sake of brevity we offer a succinct explanation of the celebration of Easter and the Easter Season.

1) EASTER VIGIL MASS.  The Easter Vigil Mass is the most sublime and glorious of all of the Liturgical celebrations for the entire Church Year. Many beautiful Readings are proclaimed with the Responsorial Psalms. The Neophytes are baptized, confirmed, and make their first Holy Communion.

2) THE ALLELUIA, GLORIA, THE COLOR WHITE.  Once again the Church sings the alleluia, the Gloria is back in the Mass, and the Liturgical color is white.

3) JESUS IS TRULY RISEN FROM THE DEAD.  The very core of Easter and the entire Easter Season is the fact that Jesus died, but He truly rose from the dead never to die again. The promise for us is eternal life!

4) THE OCTAVE OF EASTER.  Like Christmas, the Church celebrates an entire eight days of Easter. The reality of Jesus truly Risen from the dead is of such great importance that there must be eight days—the Octave—to celebrate Jesus’ triumph over death and His rising from the dead.

5) EASTER SEASON.  The Easter Season lasts 50 days. During these days, the first Reading in Mass is taken from the Acts of the Apostles.

6) ASCENSION AND PENTECOST.  The Easter Season draws to an end with the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. The Novena starts and concludes with Pentecost—the descent of the Holy Spirit. This commemorates the Birthday of the Church as well as the end of the 50 days of Easter joy!

VI. ORDINARY TIME II.  With Pentecost, the Easter Season comes to an end and Ordinary Time II starts which lasts close to six months.

THREE KEY SOLEMNITIES AFTER PENTECOST.  After Pentecost three principle Solemnities follow in this order: Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

1) TRINITY SUNDAY.  The Church celebrates the greatest of all mysteries—the most Blessed Trinity. That is to say the Church teaches the reality of One God in three Divine Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

2) CORPUS CHRISTI. The Church believes that in Holy Mass, through the words of Consecration the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus the Savior.

3) SACRED HEART OF JESUS. The Friday after the Sunday of Corpus Christi, the Church celebrates the mystery of the love of Jesus for us by honoring and praising His most Sacred Heart.

CHRIST THE KING: CONCLUSION OF CHURCH YEAR. The lengthy Ordinary Time II comes to an end with the Solemnity of Christ the King. Jesus as King desires to reign over the world, but also over each and every one of our own hearts!

ADVENT.  The Liturgical cycles begin once again with the Season of Advent. During the course of the whole Liturgical Year, the Church is reliving in Word and Sacrament the life, words, and saving actions of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Therefore, if we want to connect with Jesus, meet Jesus, and receive Jesus into our minds, hearts, souls and entire lives, it is done most efficaciously through the Mystical Body of Christ and the Sacramental life—most especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Eucharist and Holy Communion.

Our Lady appeared in Fatima, Portugal, in 1917 and she revealed important messages to the children and to the whole world. Even after 1917, she revealed other serious, but extremely important messages that we should take to heart now. In fact, our eternal salvation could depend on listening attentively, heeding dutifully, and obeying promptly these messages.

Three of these poignant messages relate to the 6^th and 9^th Commandments. “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” (6^th Commandment) “Thou shalt not covet your neighbor’s wife.” (9^th Commandment)

Also, the serious warnings of Our Lady made clear reference to one of the Sacraments—the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony. This is one of the two Sacraments of service. Matrimony is designed for the couple to be at the service of both human life and the formation and sustenance of the family. The other Sacrament of service is that of Holy Orders or the Priesthood—designed as an offering of service to the Church.

Therefore, let us lay out with utmost clarity the prophetic messages and admonitions of Our Lady of Fatima. She is indeed the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, and she is our dear and loving Mother. In fact, the two greatest desires of Mary are the following: 1) That God be known, honored, praised, obeyed and loved; 2) That we all attain to eternal happiness in Heaven.

In a word, these three warnings or admonitions serve as clear and convincing signposts to help us avoid the eternal loss of our immortal soul in the stark reality of Hell.

FIRST, the July 13^th Apparition of Our Lady to the three children: Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. This shocking and frightful Apparition manifested the reality of Hell. Our Lady purposely desired the children, as well as us, to reflect seriously on the reality of Hell. The blazing fire, the tormented and tortured souls, the loud cries of utter despair, and the ugly animals trans-piercing the damned souls caused the children to almost faint. Later on, they admitted that if it were not for the presence of Our Lady of Fatima with them during the vision, they might have died of fear. Despite the terror that this vision caused, due to the vision these three children underwent a radical change of life. Their passion for God and their desire for Our Lady and the salvation of souls had no limits. Their prayers were fervent and constant. The thought of Hell motivated them to never flag or weary of praying not only the Rosary, but many Rosaries.

Our Lady stated clearly that most souls go to hell because of the sins committed against the 6^th and 9^th Commandments—the many sins that are committed against the virtue of purity.

The children would not only pray to prevent souls from cascading into the fiery pit of Hell, but they also offered many sacrifices to bar the gates of Hell for so many souls.

Jacinta, the youngest of the three children, offered countless sacrifices, and even her very life, for the conversion of the many sinners immersed in the muddy pool of impurity. We will mention just a few of the heroic sacrifices of this little girl:

• THE ROPE.  Jacinta wore a rough rope around her waist that caused her considerable discomfort during the course of the day.
• FOOD.  She purposely sacrificed her favorite food—the sweet grapes of the Portugal hillsides, replacing them with bitter nuts and berries.
• FUN: DANCING.  She loved to dance! This would be honest and innocent dancing. But no more, for the love of God and to prevent souls from plunging into the fires of hell.
• ROSARY.  Not one Rosary, but as many as possible, trusting in the most powerful intercession of Mary who loves God and loves souls.
• EVEN DRINKING WATER.  On one of the hot and humid days in summer, Jacinta was offered some cold and refreshing water to drink but she refused it. Why? For the salvation of poor sinners.
• OPERATION IN THE HOSPITAL WITH LITTLE ANESTHESIA. Yes, when she had to undergo an operation with barely any anesthesia, the noble and brave Jacinta accepted it and offered it up to prevent souls from precipitating themselves into the fiery pit of hell.

Indeed, how important it truly is for the world at large to understand the supreme importance of the virtue of purity. How important it is for all of humanity, and each of us individually, to live out the Beatitude: “Blessed are the pure of heart; for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8) Remember the stark warning of Our Lady of Fatima: “Most souls go to hell due to the sins against the virtue of purity.”

SECOND, Our Lady revealed to Jacinta another serious but stark truth. MANY MARRIAGES ARE NOT PLEASING TO GOD. These messages were given close to 100 years ago. Since then, the state of both Marriage and the family is definitely in a scary free-fall, a real vortex. Way more than 50% of Catholic marriages end in divorce, leaving wounded and scarred children. The innocent have to suffer for the sake of the guilty. To make matters worse, many couples, who even call themselves Catholics, decide to sidestep receiving the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and instead just live together in free-union, cohabitation, a trial-marriage, to see, as they say today, if they have chemistry and are compatible.

THIRD, Our Lady stated bluntly: “There will be many fashions (modes) that will enter into the world that will gravely offend God.” How often today, even in the context of the Church itself, do we encounter blatant and flagrant immodesty in dress??? In the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, as well as the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, many come into the Church as if it were a beach-party, a night-club, or simply a fashion-show!!! Pope Benedict stated with utmost clarity that in our Churches today we are losing the sense of the Sacred!!!   

Indeed, the Church is the House of God. Jesus, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings, lives in the Church. His Home is behind the Tabernacle door; the red-burning Lamp signals His Real-Presence. Would we come improperly dressed into the presence of an earthly King or Queen? Out of the question! But how easily we can disrespect the Presence of God in our Churches!!!

Of great importance, also, is the respect we should have for the dignity of our own body. Saint Paul asserts: “Glorify God in your bodies; your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. You have been redeemed at a high price: the Blood of the Lamb of God.” (1 Cor. 6, Heb. 9: 11-14)

The way we clothe our bodies should reflect the knowledge we have of our innate dignity being created in the image and likeness of God and being sons and daughters of God at the moment of our Baptism. Our dignity is exalted, our destiny is sublime: to be united with God forever in Heaven.

Therefore, once we have learned the supreme and sublime importance of who we are, where we are heading, and our eternal destiny, then we can take very seriously these three warnings of Our Lady of Fatima, messages directed not only to the three innocent Shepherd children, but also to us right now. So let us strive with the help of God’s grace and our own human effort to take heed of Our Lady’s admonitions; indeed our salvation is at risk!

First, let us strive to attain an ever greater purity of eyes, mind, emotions, heart and body. “Blessed are the pure of heart; for they will see God.” (Mt. 5:8)

Second, those who have chosen the Sacrament and vocation of Holy Matrimony, may they make a constant effort to grow daily in love of God and a pure love for each other, and the children that God often does send.

Third, MODESTY!  May we come to a keen awareness of both our dignity and our eternal destiny. Our Dignity? We are living Tabernacles of the Blessed Trinity through Baptism; we are, in the words of Saint Paul: Ambassadors of Christ.” (2 Cor 5:20) Before leaving home, present yourself before an image of Our Lady, Jesus, and good Saint Joseph, as their representative, and see what they think! Do nothing in word, nor deed, nor dress that would make them ashamed of you. You are called to be their honor and prize, now and for all eternity!

One of the principle reasons why so many people exit the Catholic Church to enter another religion, give into the slavery of vices and addictions, or even categorically deny the existence of God is because they never understood the most sublime reality, dignity, and excellence of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Ironically, the biggest religious group in Europe, Latin America, the Philippines, as well as the United States are Catholics, but this must be underlined—Non-practicing Catholics!!!

Statistics never hit the mark with exactitude, but we can surmise that 50-60 years ago close to 80% of Catholics would attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass almost every Sunday, which means the rebellious 20% would skip out. Now, topsy turvy as this might seem, it is the exact opposite: 20% attend Sunday Mass, while the other 80% do not show up unless it is Christmas, Easter, or the death of a loved-one.

Bishop Robert Barron has stated time and time again with great fervor that we must do all we can to win back this generation of non-practicing Catholics. We must welcome home the Prodigal sons and daughters, seek out the lost sheep, and heal the wounded Christian soldiers.

The multiple pastoral approaches to returning these lost and wandering souls are many. However, maybe we can start with ourselves by studying the essence of the Mass, the parts of the Mass, the fruits of Mass and Holy Communion, and thereby cultivate a real love for Holy Mass. Then, once we are convinced of the sublimity of Holy Mass and our hearts are burning, set on fire for every Mass, from that we will be able to ignite the smoldering embers of lukewarm or non-practicing Catholics with a new dynamic energy.

Why was it that the Catholic Bishops of the United States launched a three year program on the topic of Holy Mass and Holy Communion?  The response could not be more obvious: all too many Catholics do not attend Holy Mass. One of the principle reasons? Put bluntly, crass ignorance of what Holy Mass is and what is going on in Holy Mass.

Athletes will exert all of the energy in their bodies to win the prize. Students will burn the oil at night to excel in academics. The avaricious Scrooge type will bend over backwards to pocket an extra dollar. The Romeo will expend all that he has economically, emotionally, and even poetically to win the hand of his beloved Juliet.

In a parallel sense, should we not exert every fiber of our being to love Holy Mass, attend Holy Mass frequently, and thereby receive the most sublime Gift in the world—the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion? Indeed, one Holy Communion is worth more than the whole created universe because Holy Communion is God Himself—the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus, the Son of the living God.

Hopefully these few words can jump-start some of the wandering, confused, and forlorn non-practicing Catholics. Let’s read slowly and meditate on what some of the saints have expressed in human words about the sublime greatness of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass—the greatest Miracle beneath Heaven itself!

Of all the men and women that we should get to know, admire, speak to, love, and imitate, it must be the saints. They are God’s favorites, but also our dear friends. The Beatles song resounds clearly: “Get a little help from my friends.” Those friends? The saints!

THE LOVE OF THE SAINTS FOR THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

1. “When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar.” (Saint John Chrysostom) Please view the movie “El Gran Milagro” or “The Greatest Miracle”. God’s angels will give you a wonderful tour and detailed explanation of Holy Mass. This can be seen in just over an hour and it is well worth your sixty minutes. Then encourage others to see the movie, especially lukewarm Catholics.

2. “If we really understood Mass, we would die of joy.” (Saint John Vianney—the Cure of Ars) Sadness invades the soul absent of God! Joy radiates from the soul replenished with God. Emmanuel means God is with us—especially in Mass and Holy Communion.

3. “The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass.” (Saint Augustine) Let us make a constant and concerted effort to pray for more vocations to the priesthood, but holy priests, to sanctify the people of God through Word and Sacrament.

4. “It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than do without the Mass.” (Saint Padre Pio) As the sun warms our bodies and enlightens our path, likewise, Mass and Holy Communion enlightens our minds and set our hearts ablaze with the Fire of Divine Love. Jesus came to set the world on fire with the love brimming over in His Sacred Heart truly present in every Mass, but most especially in every Holy Communion.

5. “Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass, they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain.” (Saint John Vianney) Our works, prayers, and sacrifices, even done by the most holy of saints, are still the works of man. However, every Mass offered, even if it were by a sick priest in a prison cell, is OPUS DEI—the WORK OF GOD!!! Every Mass has infinite value and human words fall short of explanation!

6. “No human tongue can enumerate the favors that trace back to the Sacrifice of the Mass. The sinner is reconciled with God; the just man becomes more upright; sins are wiped away; vices are uprooted; virtues and merits increase; and the devil’s schemes are frustrated.” (Saint Lawrence Justinian) These few but poignant words of Saint Lawrence express the infinite power and efficacy of Holy Mass. In a word, the quickest Highway to holiness is to participate fully, actively, and consciously in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. (Sacrosanctum Concilium—Vatican II)

7. “The Eucharist is my Highway to Heaven.” (Blessed Carlo Acutis) Like Carlo, even teenagers can become great saints and quickly, if they choose the Highway to Heaven—frequent and fervent Holy Communions.

8. “How happy is the Guardian Angel who accompanies a soul to Holy Mass.” (Saint John Vianney) A simple suggestion: let us beg our Guardian Angel for the grace to avoid wandering eyes during Mass, but to have perfect recollection.

9. “When we receive Holy Communion we experience something extraordinary—a joy, a fragrance, a well-being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt.” (Saint John Vianney) How true, even our physical body, at times, experiences a true rejuvenation and revitalization upon receiving the Body of Jesus with great love and devotion. Saint Faustina experienced a strengthening of her lungs after receiving Jesus, the Divine Physician, in Holy Communion while sick in the Infirmary!

10. “I believe that were it not for the Holy Mass as of this moment the world would be in the abyss.” (Saint Leonard of Port Maurice) How true! With his arms elevated on high by Aaron and Hur, Moses helped the Israelites to prevail in war and conquer their enemies. Likewise, in the case of our present world, it is Jesus lifted on high in the hands of the priest in the Holy Eucharist in the Holy Sacrifice of Mass that saves the world from utter destruction.

Friends in Jesus and Mary, why not accept this challenge—a double challenge.

First, fortify your own faith, love, and devotion towards the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as well as hunger and thirst for frequent and fervent Holy Communions. Set your hearts on fire for Jesus, the Bread of Life.

Second, make an effort to bring back a lost soul, a wandering sheep, a Prodigal Son or Daughter every month. Meaning the challenge is to aim at bringing back twelve lost souls a year! Beg for this grace! Once again let us fill to the brim our Catholic Churches with souls on fire with love for our Eucharistic Lord! This will be, in the words of Blessed Carlo Acutis, their Highway to Heaven. May Our Lady who said YES to God and received the Incarnate Word in her most pure womb, motivate us to move in haste to bring others to our Eucharistic Lord in our great love for God!