Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

In addition to the providential accident that occurred with a canon-ball in the battle of Pamplona, an inspiring reading of the lives of the saints was instrumental in the conversion of one of the greatest saints in the 16^th century. Who was this? None other than Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

As is stated in the title of this article, “A good book or two can change your life. Inspired and anointed words with great spiritual depth can convert individuals; they can also help individuals to move from an average or mediocre life to a fervent and holy life.

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION. Good spiritual directors accompany those who they are directing in their pursuit of God and aid them in striving to plumb the depths of a more serious and authentic prayer life.  An invaluable tool to get into the hands of those pursuing both holiness and a more profound prayer life is that of the habit of good spiritual reading.

In this short essay we would like to suggest five spiritual classics to help those who are truly pursuing a life of deeper prayer and holiness of life. I will never forget on one occasion one of my young priest friends made this observation. When he was truly captivated in his mind with a fascinating spiritual book, usually he felt that his prayer life was on the upswing.

This being said, let us offer five Books that you can  dive into with your mind, heart and soul so as to go deeper in tour relationship with God, the author of all that is good, noble and holy.

BIBLE.   Perhaps this first on the list, the Bible, is more than obvious. However, you might be surprised as the numbers and percentages of Catholics who perhaps have a Bible or Bibles in their home but barely ever even open it.  On the threshold and entrance of the home is a Granny’s Bible, but it serves nothing more than an ornamental artifact that is opened only on rare occasions.  How true the saying of Adrian Rogers, the famous Baptist preacher: “He who has a Bible that is falling apart most likely will not have his life that is falling apart.” By this he meant, morally and spiritually.

CCC—CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.  Pope Saint John Paul II was one of the most prolific writers as Popes in the history of the Catholic Church. Indisputably of all of his writings Encyclicals, Apostolic exhortations, Catechesis, the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church was his spiritual masterpiece.  Indeed, if we honestly desire to have a true grasp of our Catholic faith, reading and studying the CCC is a “must”.   Thanks to the tireless work of Father Mike Schmitz, he explained the entirely of the CCC in one year after explaining the Bible in a year. Father Mike is hitting the nail on the head with respect to spiritual classics and growth.

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA: HER WORKS.   The first two women to be declared women Doctors of the Church were both Saint Teresa of Avila and Saint Catherine of Siena.  The former, was not only instrumental in the Reform of the women’s branch of the Carmelite Order, but also for her writings, which indeed are spiritual masterpieces and gems. Among Avila’s writings three stand out as spiritual luminaries: Her Life, the Way of Perfection and the Interior Castle.  The very heart and essence of all of her writings is the call to deeper union with Christ the Mystical Spouse through knowledge, love and the practice of prayer. Saint Teresa insists on perseverance using these choice words:  “We must have a determined determination to never abandon prayer.”

SAINT FAUSTINA KOWALSKA: THE DIARY OF DIVINE MERCY IN MY SOUL. In the year 2000, April 30^th Pope Saint John Paul II carried out two of his great goals on this same day.   He canonized the first saint of the new Millennium, Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska, known as “The Secretary of Divine mercy.”  On the same day the saintly Pontiff formally instituted a new Liturgical Solemnity—that of Divine Mercy Sunday.   From the start of the New Millennium, 2000, and on until the end of time, the Second Sunday after Easter the Church celebrates the infinite mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  May our hearts express in unison with the Psalmist:  “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”

GLORIES OF MARY: SAINT ALPHONSUS LIGUORI.  Of all of the literary gems written on the Blessed Virgin Mary many would claim that the “Glories of Mary” penned by Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori would be one of the greatest if not the greatest!   What does this masterpiece consist of?  This might be a surprise to you, but it is a commentary on one of the most known and loved Marian prayers—the Hail Holy Queen.  You might consider every word that Saint Alphonsus explains in three different dimensions. First, he takes the word and takes from Sacred Scriptures the Fathers of the Church, and many saints their writings and love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. After explaining this part of the Hail Holy Queen, the saint gives a simple story or example to explain the word. Third, Saint Alphonsus concludes with a Colloquy or if you like a short prayer related to the topic. It would be very difficult for any person of good will and a modicum of intelligence to prayerfully read and meditate upon this Marian Masterpiece, the Glories of Mary, of Saint Alphonsus Maria Liguori, and not fall in love with Mary, “God’s masterpiece of creation.”

In conclusion, may all of us who are seriously pursuing an authentic desire to be holy as our heavenly Father is holy never neglect the all-important practice of spiritual reading. Why not choose from these Big five: The Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, the Diary of Saint Faustina and the Glories of Mary.

Ten spiritual literary classics

Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

One of the most renowned conversions in the History of the Church is in the person of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Proud, vain, contentious, sensual and worldly were all; words that described the character of this pompous Spanish soldier until a cannon ball in the battle of Pamplona all but destroyed his legs.

After being transported back to his residence in Loyola and after undergoing excruciating pains due to leg operation, Ignatius had days and weeks of free time in which the process of convalescence took its slow and painful course.

The advantage of literacy served to move him on the sure path to conversion.  His preference was to read the romantic and chivalrous novels of the day, so as to fill his mind with sensual images and romantic adventures.   To his chagrin none of this literary genre could be found in his domicile. Instead, two other forms of literature were brought to him: the Life of Christ and the lives of the saints.  At first Ignatius repelled these works. But given that he had much free time on nothing much to do, he decided to read.  

The Holy Spirit intervened and filled his mind and heart with an enormous desire to imitate the lives of these great heroes of God who were called the saints.  He was heard to have exclaimed: “If Dominic could do it then so can I; if Francis could do it than so, can I…”. Reading and meditating upon the lives of the saints was truly an impulse and motivation for Ignatius to leave his past life of sin and to follow Jesus, the True Commander and King.  

Solid and profound spiritual books and classics can serve as powerful means to convert sinners to long for a life of true holiness. Let us delve into the past world of spiritual classics and offer a list that we can immerse our minds into so as to be filled with spiritual treasures that can move us from a life spiritual anemia and mediocrity to a new life in the pursuit of heroic virtue and holiness. Our purpose and intent will be to give a list of spiritual masterpieces, a brief summary and allow your reading and the Holy Spirit to do the work…

1. CONFESSIONS, of Saint Augustine.  Beyond a shadow of doubt Confessions of the “Doctor of Grace” has gone down as one of the greatest literary masterpieces in the history of humanity.  It is a person and biographical story that displays in the most elegant language the conversion of a man slave of sin and his passions on becoming a super saint.  “O Lord you have mase our hearts for thee and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”

2. THE RULE OF SAINT BENEDICT.   Saint Benedict, the founder of Western Monasticism, founded a Religious Order, now known as the Order of Saint Benedict or “The Benedictines”.  Inspired by the Holy Spirit Benedict composed what is now called a Rule.  In this, most famous of Rules for the Religious Life, Benedict outlines the different activities, virtues, and order that a monk should live if he truly wants to pursue of life of authentic holiness. Benedict became the Father of Western monasticism and his Rule has become the foundation and basis of Religious Life as a whole. His classic saying: “Ora et Labora”—pray and work!

3. IMITATION OF CHRIST.   Emanating from the literary genre of the Rhineland mystics the Imitation of Christ has become one of the most renowned spiritual classics in the 2000 years of Christianity.   The author is Thomas of Kempis.   This classic insists upon attaining holiness of life through prayer, penance, mortification, humility and in a very pronounced way a life of detachment from the things of this world so as to have one’s life attached to Christ.  It is divided classically into four books. The last Book is a masterpiece on the Mass, the Eucharist, Holy Communion and the love and reverence that we should have towards this greatest of Sacraments.  A saying:  “It is not important a long life but a holy life.”

4. THE SUMMA THEOLOGICA.  Many consider St Thomas Aquinas to be the greatest of all in the history of the Church. In his 49 years of life. Thomas, the Angelic Doctor was one of the most prolific writers in Christianity. Beyond doubt, his greatest masterpiece was the SUMMA THEOLOGICA.  It was considered the greatest summary and synthesis of the greatest theological ideas up to that time—the 13^th century, the age of Scholasticism.  Even to this day, the writings of Aquinas, and especially the Summa are considered the foundation of theological training for seminarians and priests.

5. THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF SAINT IGNATIUS OF LOYOLA.    As mentioned in our introduction Ignatius underwent a radical conversion in the battle of Pamplona and through spiritual reading.  Then, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the cave of Manresa, this future saint was inspired to compose the masterpiece that would change countless hearts—THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES.  The text is basically a manual for the Director of the Exercises and Retreats. It has been proven as and invaluable tool to help the retreat to encounter God, the purpose of his existence, the value of meditation and contemplation, the value of a General Confession, to get to know, love and follow Jesus Christ.  And through perseverance arrive at the heights of sanctity of life. Such is the fruit that one truly becomes a “contemplative in action” and is able to see and encounter God in all things, all person, and all places; God becomes all in all!  “Man is created to praise God, reverence God, serve God and by means of that save his soul.” (First Principle and Foundation # 23)

6. THE INTERIOR CASTLE.   The first woman to be declared woman Doctor of the Church was Saint Teresa of Avila and then Saint Catherine of Siena.  The Spaniard Carmelite, mystic and Doctor of the Church, Saint Teresa of Avila is known as “The Doctor of prayer”.  Among her spiritual classics is that of titled THE INTERIOR CASTLE.  In this masterpiece on prayer Teresa presents a Castle and different mansions, levels or rooms indicating the different levels of prayer: vocal prayer, mental prayer, prayer of affection, the prayer of simplicity, mystical prayer, culminating in the mystical marriage and union of the soul with Christ the Divine Bridegroom. For spiritual directors and those longing for a dynamic and deep union with God in prayer this classic is a “must!”

7. CATECHISM OF THE COUNCIL OF TRENT.   As a response to the Protestant Reformation was the Catholic Counter-reform.  A Council was convoked by the Holy Father to meet in a southern city of Italy—Trent. After various meetings, discussions, and even quarrels, and through the habile counsels of Satin Charles of Borromeo, the Council was terminated, and the precious fruit of this Council was the first Universal Catechism of the Catholic Church—the Catechism of the Council of Trent.  Divided into four basic sections the Catechism explains the teaching and doctrine of the Catholic Church with utmost clarity. The four parts? 1. Dogma—explaining the Creed; 2. The Sacrament—the channels of grace; 3. Morality, an explanation of the ten Commandments; 4. Prayer—the life of union with God.   Get to know your faith! Read this Catechism!

8. INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE.   Saint Francis de Sales wrote a spiritual masterpiece for all who sincerely desire to learn the art of prayer, meditation/mental prayer.  In an extremely clear and concise language Saint Francis offers a series of short chapters on timely spiritual topics to be meditated upon. It serves to enlighten our mind to the truths of the faith, but also to ignite our hearts with the fire of the love of God.  The topics? Prayer, death, judgment hell, Purgatory, the angels, the Mass and Holy Communion, sin and Heaven and many more spiritually uplifting topics. As a prayer primer it is essential!

9. THE GLORIES OF MARY.   Written by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, Doctor of the Church, this would be considered by some as the greatest Masterpiece ever written on the holiness, the majesty, the beauty and the holiness and the power of the most Blessed Virgin Mary.  Its theme! Quite simply Saint Alphonsus Liguori takes the Hail Holy Queen, that we pray at the end of the Rosary, and explains it word for word. His sources? The inspired author takes from Sacred Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, scholars and saints and their abundant writings displaying the greatness of Mary, who is truly our Queen and Mother.  To read this to fall in love with Mary and Jesus, the fruit of her womb.

10. THE BIBLE: THE WORD OF GOD. Perhaps this is the most obvious but still it should be expressed: THE BIBLE, THE WORD OF GOD. By far, the most important of all books is the Bible itself, the Word of God. The Bible should be first and foremost on our list of Reading material, prominence of place, it is truly the Word of God.   Saint Jerome stated sharply: “Ignorance of Sacred Scripture is ignorance of Christ.”  May we delve into the infinite treasure and riches of God’s Word—the Bible!

In conclusion, it is our hope that all of us would have a real longing for holiness. May we utilize one of the most efficacious tools to growing in holiness—the methodical, orderly and systematic reading, meditating and pondering on these spiritual classics. 

It was said of Jesus, the Master-Teacher, that He taught with power and authority unlike the scribes and Pharisees.   Jesus indeed described Himself in many ways, among which were: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”  He also said: “I have come that they might have life and life in abundance.” (Jn. 10:10) 

Now more than ever before we desperately need teachers and good teachers.  But most specially we desperately need teachers of Christian- Catholic doctrine.   In fact, never have we lived in a society with so much information, especially due to the internet and all that the social media offers. However, at the same time, never have we lived in a world with so much confusion.

In this brief essay we would like to point out specific ways that we can make a sincere but concerted effort in the formation of solid, authentic, teachers and most specifically teachers that convey the Truth of Jesus Christ who is truly the Incarnate Word and Truth itself.

CONCRETE STEPS IN THE FORMATION OF SOLID CATHOLIC TEACHERS.

1. TRUTH.  The last thing that the world really needs are so-called teachers who are really teaching at all except their own opinions, their own ideas, their own exotic and esoteric theories, but far from the essence of truth.  Perhaps this is an obvious statement, but it must be expressed: a teacher must impart and teach the truth, or better not to assume even to be a teacher.   This being said, let us delve into some of the sources where we can find the truth.

2. BIBLE: THE WORD OF GOD.   The ultimate and best source from which we can be imbibing the clear waters of truth is the Bible, the inspired word of God who has God Himself as the author.  As Catholics we should have obviously a good Catholic Bible—the New Jerusalem Bible would be among the best translations from the original languages of the Bible.

3. DIDACHE BIBLE.  Published recently is the DIDACHE BIBLE.  This can be invaluable in the pursuit of the truth because not only do you have the Bible but also an excellent running commentary at the foot of the page which is taken from the Catechism of the Catholic Church—no better help in our pursuit of understanding authentic doctrine.

4. VATICAN II DOCUMENTS.   The Documents from the Second Vatican Council are of primary importance—there are 16 in total. However, the four Dogmatic Constitutions are essential:  Dei Verbum—on the Bible and Divine Revelation, Sacrosanctum Concilium—on the Mass and Liturgy, Gaudium Spes on the problems the Church confronts in the modern world, finally Lumen Gentium, the hierarchical structure of the Church and universal call to holiness.

5. CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.   CCC published under the supervision and auspices of Pope Saint John Paul II in the early 90’s. is a sure guide to learning the authentic teaching of Holy Mother Church.  The four pillars of the catechism explains clearly the essence of Catholic doctrine:  1) Dogma-Creed—explaining the various parts of the Creed or Profession of faith said ate very Sunday Mass; 2) The seven Sacraments—channels of grace for our sanctification and salvation; 3) Morality—the explanation in detail of the ten Commandments; 4) Prayer— communication and dialogue with God the key to our salvation.

6. LOVE THE TOPIC.  Saint Augustine points out two other important factors to be accentuated in authentic teaching. The first of these is that the teacher should be totally immersed in the subject that he is teaching as well as to have a true love for the material he is transmitting.   On one occasion a woman after Mass commented to the priest the following: “I believe in what you said, because you believe it!” A salesman will not sell his product if he is not convinced that the product is worth its price, the same with teaching.   For Catholic teachers, catechists, priests and missionaries the topic is not a thing, or a product or a commodity. Rather, our preaching is the Person of Jesus Christ the Son of the living God!

7. LOVE THE PEOPLE PRESENT.    The second point of this equation, according to Augustine, is that the teacher should truly love his students.   He should have a great desire that through his teaching the students will get to know Christ, love Christ, be willing to follow Christ and one day be with Christ forever in heaven. This is true love, according to St. Thomas Aquinas, “Willing the good of the other.”   The Maximum good is to be united with Jesus forever in heaven, but it starts with getting to know and love Him first here on earth.   This can be attained by authentic teaching.

8. PRAY BEFORE AND AFTER THE TEACHING.  Our teaching should be immersed, imbued and permeated with an authentic spirit of prayer. As a teacher for many years, I always start by inviting the Blessed Virgin Mary to help us with her prayers and to be with us. But also, of paramount importance, is to invite the Holy Spirit to be present to inspire the whole development and transmission of the spiritual message.   As the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostles 2000 years ago starting with Pentecost (Acts 2), so He can help modern teachers to be fully alive and on fire with the Truth. In conclusion prayer should be recited so that the Truth transmitted and hears can be assimilated, understood fully, and lived out.

9. STORY-TELLING.  The human psyche almost unanimously will lift its ears and mind in the presence of a story well-told. Perhaps the most liable proof of this is in the presence of the greatest Teacher that ever lived.  This Teacher not only was a brilliant, simple but profound conveyer of Truth, but also, He was a consummate storyteller.   The Name of this Teacher was and is JESUS CHRIST.   We can read His teachings in the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.   What were these stories that the master-Teacher Jesus employed in His pedagogical method? The Parables! The Good Samaritan (Lk. 10), the Prodigal Son (Lk. 15), the Sower (Mk. 4) Rich Fool (Lk. 12), and the Parable of the Talents (Mt 25) — just to mention a few!   It is so true in conversation and especially in teaching: the power, the appeal and attraction of a good story well-told!  Of course, a good teacher should know when to tell the story, in what context, and with proper meaning and intention.  Much of good teaching also depends on the art of timing!

10. PRAYER-FULL SPIRIT AND LIFE.  One of my favorite writers, preachers, teachers, radio and t.v. evangelists is Venerable Fulton J. Sheen. Millions of Americans were enthralled, captivated and riveted to the t.v. screen for years as he taught.    A truly talented and brilliant Bishop, who was also a superb writer and missionary did not attribute his success as a communicate to himself.  Quite the contrary, he attributed his oratorical success to God, to Jesus and through a deep prayer life.  He attributed it to his daily Holy Hour, which he called THE HOUR OF POWER.  In more than 50 years as a priest Sheen stated that he never missed praying his Holy Hour—the Hour of Power—even once. This was the ultimate source of his light, inspiration, strength and eloquence as a teacher.  It was Jesus, the Supreme Master and Teacher that enlightened his mind and ignited his heart as preacher.

In conclusion, let us beg the Lord of the Harvest to raise up more inspired Teachers, who by following in the footsteps of Jesus the Greatest of all Teachers to teach the fullness of the Truth in all times and places so as to reap an eternal harvest for the Kingdom of God.

Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

The greatest action that we can do this side of heaven and underneath the sun is to receive Jesus, the Bread of Life, (Jn 6) in Holy Communion. No other action can come close to the reception of our Eucharistic savior.  Ignorance of this supremely important gesture can prove catastrophic if not disastrous towards our eternal salvation. In clear, concise and unequivocal words Jesus, in His Bread of Life discourse (Jn 6) states that our salvation depends on nourishing ourselves on Him—the Bread of Life who gives life to the world.

BETHANY: WARM WELCOME FOR JESUS. (Lk. 10: 38-42) Jesus had a family of good friends that were always ready to welcome Him to their home. Not too far from Jerusalem was Bethany, the home of Jesus’ good friends: Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus. These three truly loved Jesus and cherished Him as a dear friend.  Martha worked hard at the details of hospitality and serving Jesus; Mary, more of the contemplative, would entertain Jesus by listening to Him, speaking to Him and simply giving Him a warm welcome by her mere presence to Him.

HOLY COMMUNION AND BETHANY.  In a very real sense, we are all called to be a BETHANY for Jesus. Welcoming Jesus into our homes, in imitation of Mary and Martha, can be part and parcel of our spiritual journey towards our heavenly Home.   Mary and Martha would invite Jesus to their home, but this did not take place on a daily basis due to the busy apostolic life of Jesus.   In this sense we have an advantage over the family of Bethany.  Many of us can actually invite and receive Jesus into our homes on a daily basis. How, might you ask?   Quite simply by attending Mass and receiving Jesus as our Divine Guest in Holy Communion.

VARIETY OF MANNERS OF RECEPTION.   Jesus loves us so much that He has given us free will and respects our free response to His love, but He does not force Himself upon us.  Our reception could be of forgetfulness, or apathy and indifference, or coldness or even hostility—all of this happens upon our reception of Holy Communion in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  However, it is our earnest desire that all of us, in imitation of Mary, and Martha and Lazarus, make a sincere and concerted effort to receive Jesus with warmth, attention, kindness, and above all with burning love.

THANKSGIVING FOR THE GIFT.   Following up on our theme of Jesus as the Divine Guest of our soul, we would like to highlight, and this is of paramount importance, how should we act, what should we do, indeed, what we should say after we have received Jesus into our spiritual homes—the depths of our souls—in Holy Communion.  May Mary, Martha and Lazarus and their Bethany experience be both a model and a stimulus for us to upgrade our reception of Our Eucharistic Friend and Lord.

The following points emphasize what are some ways that we can simply speak or things we can say to the Lord after He has come to reside in our homes, our own “interior Bethany”.

1. THANKSGIVING.  God loves a grateful heart. The Lord appreciates gratitude and suffers when there is a lack of it—as in the case of the nine lepers who did not come back to thank the Lord for their healing. (Lk. 17:11-19)  After receiving Holy Communion, pour out your hearts in gratitude towards the Lord. Cultivar an “attitude of gratitude.” In fact, the more we overflow with gratitude towards the Lord, especially upon receiving Him in Holy Communion, the more abundant and copious He will shower us with signal graces. Thank Him for what? For everything! Actually, all that we have in our lives (with the exception of sin) are pure unmerited and gratuitous gifts from the Father of all good gifts.   May the words of the Psalmist echo and resound in our hearts: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His mercy endures forever.”

2. LOVE.  Upon receiving the Eucharistic Lord in Holy Communion, indeed the Sacrament of His love, abound in acts of love. Every time you tell the Lord that you love Him, you actually grow more in the intensity of love burning in your heart.  Jesus said: “I have come to cast fire to the earth and I am not in peace until that fire be enkindled.”(Lk. 12:49)    The fire of the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus explodes most intensely at the moment of Holy Communion especially when there are hearts longing for the fire of His love.

3. PROBLEMS, FEARS, ANXIETIES, STRUGGLES.   Another very important mode of expression after receiving Jesus in Holy Communion is to be dead honest with the Lord Jesus and to express to Him what is going on in your life.  Usually in all times, places, and circumstances all of us are suffering in one form or another. We all have some cross—health issue, family problem, economic worry, moral weakness, emotional uncertainty or insecurity, not to mention spiritual struggles.  After you receive Jesus into your interior Bethany in Holy Communion this is the propitious time and moment to open up to the Lord and express with utmost sincerity your sufferings. Jesus invites us in these words: “Come to me all of you who are weary and find life burdensome and I will give your rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me who am meek and humble of heart because my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11:28-30). If we could only learn and implement the true meaning of this passage. We are not alone in our struggles our crosses and our sorrows. Jesus, especially after receiving Him in Holy Communion, is there ready to listen to us, comfort us, console us and even to carry us on His shoulder, offer us refuge in His Sacred Heart.  Let us allow our fervent Communions to transform our lives. 

4. SUFFERING SOULS AWAITING OUR HELP.  The souls in Purgatory are saved due to God’s mercy and dying in the state of sanctifying grace. However, there suffering is most intense in the fires of Purgatory.  A fervent Holy Communion can serve to not only allay or alleviate these excruciating pains but be the final means to catapult those souls from the fires of Purgatory towards the Heavenly banquet.  Of all the prayers, sacrifices and spiritual practices, the offering of Mass and Holy Communions is by far the most efficacious. 

5. FAMILY MEMBERS: CONVERSION OF SINNERS.  Another intention of capital importance that can be part and parcel of conversing with the Lord Jesus after receiving Holy Communion is to pray for our family members, our loves ones, relatives and friends. However, there is a very important class of persons that should be part of our Communion dialogue: sinners, those who have turned their back on the Lord Jesus, their God, the Church and the Light of Truth itself.   Parents who have Prodigal sons or daughters, wandering and lost sheep, angry, bitter confused and disgruntled offspring and siblings, upon receiving the Lord Jesus in Holy Communion beg the Lord for their conversion, return to the Church and eternal salvation.

OUR LADY.   Mary is truly the Mother of God, the Mother of the Church, the refuge of sinners as well as the Mother of the Eucharistic Lord. We should also beg Mary for the grace to receive Jesus with great humility, devotion and love in Holy Communion and to praise, adore, thank and implore Him as we receive Him into the Bethany of our hearts. Mary received Jesus with the greatest of love in the Incarnation. Mary will pray for us that we too will receive the Eucharistic Lord with an explosion of love.

Fr. Ed Broom, OMV

Most people are called to the married life, consisting in raising a family by receiving from God the gift of the child, and often the gift of children. God created Adam and said that it was not good that man should be alone; so after creating plants and animals, the seas and the sea creatures, as well as the immense ocean, God than created the woman—her name, Eve.  With Eve Adam felt complete with the compliment of his being. Both would be instrumental in bringing into the world children—Cain and Abel and later Seth.   

A SPECIAL CHARISM AND GIFT.  Jesus would praise the life of marriage and family but offer another option.  He would go on to say that some were born as eunuchs and others made eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  In these words of Jesus was hidden a special gift, a special charism that God would give to certain individuals. This charism or gift what be that of celibacy or stated in other terms virginity for the sake of the Kingdom of God.  Not all are given this gift and many cannot even comprehend this gift. 

WHAT IS THIS GIFT OF CELIBACY.  This gift that is given from God is by no means looking down on Marriage and the family. Quite the contrary it is a specific gift of God for building up the Mystical Body of Christ which is the Church.   God has given certain men and women this charism and gift in which marriage and family is sacrifice for a sublime gift of becoming spiritual fathers or mothers for the sake of the Kingdom of God.   In fact, on the day of Judgment it is most likely that one of the questions that Jesus, the Just Judge, will ask, will be: “Where are your children?”   In fact, where are the children that you engender not only in the physical or biological realm, but those that you were instrumental in engendering in the spiritual realm.   It is not by chance that a priest is actually called “Father”; and a Religious sister is called either “Mother” or “Sister”.

THE ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE GIFT-CHARISM OF CELIBACY.   We live in a world with so much information always at out fingertips. Indeed, and atomic bomb explosion of information. At the same time, we live in a world immersed in an ocean of confusion.  So it is our purpose in this short essay to offer a few ideas to clarify the reality of the. Gift or charism of celibacy and how it is to be lived out.   Many do not understand the gift; still others do not believe that it can be lived out!

1. GIFT-CHARISM.  As a starting point celibacy must be understood as being a gift or charism that is given by God Himself.   By gift of God is meant that God who is the essence of love, goodness, bounty and overflowing in generosity chooses some individuals to whom He wills to endow with this gift.  It must be underlined: just some are endowed with this gift or charism.  It is gratuitous—freely given by God Himself, He who is the essence of goodness, bounty and giving.

2. RECOGNITION.  The next step in the dynamic of the gift or charism of celibacy is the sincere and humble recognition of the gift.  In fact, the person may have the gift but simply has never recognized the gift.  Without a life of prayer, without any catechesis, with no religious education, without anyone ever mentioning this as a possibility, most likely the individual will never recognize that he/she has such a gift.  

3. PAGANISTIC-SENSUAL-HEDONISTIC CULTURE.  The honest reality is such that in a paganistic-sensual-hedonistic culture—this is the modern world—so much is geared toward pursuing and giving into the cravings of one’s lower appetites.  In the midst of a dusty, dirty, smog-filled environment it is hard to look up and gaze at the stars.

4. ACCEPTANCE.   The next step in the dynamic of living out the celibate lifestyle is the recognition followed by the acceptance.   A classic example of this might be the free call of the Rich young man. (Mk. 10:17-31). Jesus freely called the Rich young man to follow Him. The response was negative.  The reason?  This rich young man was too attached to his riches, his belongings, his possessions. If you like, his possessions had taken possession of him.   The same can be applied to the gift of celibacy.   God freely gives but this gift can be accepted, or it can be rejected.  God is so good that He respects our freedom and will not coerce or violate our freedom.

5. JOY.  With the acceptance of the gift-charism of celibacy there should be a joyful and generous response. It the gift is not received willingly, humbly, joyfully, but only begrudgingly and unwillingly then most likely the gift will not be lived out efficaciously.   God loves a joyful give; He also loves a joyful receiver of His gifts.

6. CULTIVATED. How true the modern adage: “If you do not use it then you can lose it.”  Tools not used become rusty. Muscles not exercised either turn to flab or atrophy. Linguistics not used transforms language into an incoherent muttering of sounds. Poor and untrained cooks offer penance to the eaters! The same can be applied to celibacy. It has to be cultivated and trained by using the classical ascetical tools or means.

7. THE ASCETICAL TOOLS TO TRAIN AND LIVE OUT CELIBACY.   There are many but we will mention a few; we might even call them the “Big Five!”

a. PRAYER. Jesus told us to become beggars in these words: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7). The gift is freely given. However, it is incumbent upon us to beg for the grace to be faithful and to live it out!

b. PENANCE.  The flesh has to be dominated by prayer and penance. Jesu said that some devils can be cast out only by prayer and by penance.”   This is the secret of many of the saints in living out their gift of celibacy.

c. CUSTODY OF THE SENSES.  It is incumbent upon us now more than ever to have a strict custody of the senses, and most especially that of the eyes. The saying is so true: “The eyes are the mirror of the soul.”  It is the gateway by which sense reality enters the mind and the inner person.

d. CONFESSION. In case of failure the key is to get up, to bounce back and to be resilient.  Confession, the power of God’s forgiveness should never be underestimated.

e. EUCHARIST AND HOLY COMMUNION.  The reception of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in Holy Communion has infinite value in living out the call to celibacy.

8. DEFEND THE GIFT. By the term, defending the gift is meant the following: do not play with fire. One must avoid the near occasion of danger. One must avoid any person, place or thing or circumstance that could jeopardize virtue and in our case that of celibacy.  How true: do not play with fire.   This could be the disciplined use of the internet. It could also be related to social relationships. It could also mean control of eating and drinking habits.  Celibacy is indeed the pearl of infinite value, but it must be defended and protected.

9. HEALTHY FRIENDSHIPS AND JOY.  Life is worth living to the full. However, to live out the charism of celibacy it is key that wholesome and enriching friendships should be cultivated. Jesus called His disciples “Friends”. True friends can be of enormous value in living out all vocations but especially that of celibacy.

10. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.   The Perpetual Virgin Mary gave her total person to God when she said: “Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord, be it done to me according  to thy word.”  Indeed, Mary is the model as Mother, Spouse, but also in the celibate life of virginity. By knowing, loving, and trusting Mary an authentic life of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God can be lived out freely, joyfully and completely. May Our Lady help those who have freely chosen to follow the life of celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom of God.