A Loss

I have determined that Missouri has two seasons. Wet and humid. That’s it, nothing else. It is not unusual to receive 1-2 inches overnight. The news reports flooded roadways the way most cities report traffic jams. Not that the humidity has decreased, but at least now you can see it as it falls from the sky. The good news is that I think I am about ready to be honored with my first pair of water wings and webbed feet. I think Jesus spent some time in Missouri in His youth which is why he went to the desert for 40 days. He was just trying to dry out.

We had our first loss as a class this past weekend. One of our classmates discerned that he was not called to the priesthood and withdrew from the seminary. This was a very difficult decision for him I am sure. He said that he has been pondering this question for the last 11 months and felt he was making the right decision. This was a difficult time for all of us. Since we live, eat, study and pray together a significant bond occurs within a class. The loss is difficult but necessary from time to time. I am however, glad that men feel that they can come to the seminary to discern their call and are free to leave if the priesthood is not right for them. I hope and pray that all catholic young men understand this and feel free to enter the seminary to explore this call without the fear of undo expectations. All people need to understand that true discernment can only take place fully in the seminary. Leaving the seminary is not something to be looked at as bad, but rather an acknowledgement of true discipleship. Following God’s will is not always easy, but it is always necessary. We keep our brother in our prayers as he makes this transition to his new life outside these walls. May God continue to send workers to His harvest.

Veteran's Day

Today is Veteran’s Day. Please remember to take the time to thank the veterans you know and pray for all veterans. Remember also their families who also have sacrificed. Military widows should be the top priority as their sacrifice is the greatest. Were it not for these sacrifices, we would not enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Veterans Day is a day to remember the individual soldiers who fought in our wars. It doesn’t matter whether they wanted to be there or not, whether people agree with the reason for the war or not. They were there, they were fighting for our country, and they should be remembered for it.

By honoring these men and women, we honor not only their valiance, but also the values for which they fought. They sacrificed to uphold the values upon which our country was founded and which we hold on high. They fought to guarantee us our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Time and again, they have fought forces that threatened our society and way of life.

Without their efforts, we would have lost our freedom. The freedoms we have in our country are unparalleled in most other nations, and we should be proud of them and therefore proud of those who put their lives on the line to protect those freedoms for us.

Today provides not only a chance to thank the veterans and their families but also a time of reflection and thanksgiving for what we have. How many of our freedoms do we take for granted? How often do we actually pause and give thanks to God for living in a country that allows freedom of religion, speech, assembly, etc.?

Today, take the time. Reflect and thank all those who provide us our freedom. Thank the veterans and spend time on your knees thanking God.

To all my Brothers and Sisters in Arms: THANK YOU!

“Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13)

All Souls Day

Here are some thoughts and guidance for All Souls Day and this month of November.

"With Faber most theological writers maintain, that of all the works of mercy and charity the most exalted, pure and charitable is to aid the Suffering Souls in Purgatory."-from "Charity for the Suffering Souls" by Rev. John A. Nageleisen, p. 235, TAN ed.


"The dead are aided by alms, by the prayers of the Church, and by the Sacrifice of the Mass."-St. Augustine

"Whosover prays for the Suffering Souls with the intention of helping them, imposes on them the obligation of gratitude and assistance."-Pope Adrian IV

INDULGENCES FOR THE POOR SOULS
(current regulations in force by Pope Benedict XVI)

I. On All Soul's Day (Nov. 2) a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit any parish church or public oratory and there recite on Our Father and one Credo.

II. On all the days from November 1 through November 8 inclusive, a plenary indulgence, applicable only to the Poor Souls, is granted to those who visit a cemetery and pray, even if only mentally, for the departed.

CONDITIONS FOR BOTH INDULGENCES:

1. Only one plenary indulgence can be gained per day.

2. It is necessary to be in the state of grace, at least by the completion of the work.

3. Freedom from attachment to sin, even venial sin, is necessary; otherwise the indulgence is only partial. (By this is meant attachment to a particular sin, not sin in general.)

4. Holy Communion must be received each time the indulgence is sought.

5. Prayers must be recited for the intentions of the Holy Father on each day the indulgence is sought. (No particular prayers are prescribed. One Our Father and one Hail Mary suffice, or other suitable prayers.)

6. A sacramental confession must be made within a week of completion of the prescribed work. (One confession made during the week, made with the intention of gaining al the indulgences, suffices.)

(Indulgence and Conditions statements courtesy of October FSSP newsletter)

All Saint's Day

Everyone understands that All Saint’s Day is November 1st, but how many Catholics really understand the point of All Saint’s Day? Here are few main reasons for the celebration of All Saint’s Day:

1. To give thanks to God.

2. To consider the holy example of the Saints.

3. To ask for intercession by the Saints.

4. To make up for any remiss in honoring the Saints on their particular feast days.

Ultimately, All Saints Day is a celebration of the men and women of God who have preceded us and are now enjoying heaven. Make a special point to recognize, honor, and meditate on the Saints and the examples they leave for us as a roadmap to heaven. Try and learn something new about your personal saint. Look at the life of your namesake. There are many good ways to honor the saints from which we descend in faith. We must however remember that they are there as examples. God does not “cookie cutter” saints. We must all look to the saints and then apply what we learn to our own life for our own time and in our own way. They show us the way, but we are not them. We must strive to live our own life not theirs. Blessed Pope John XXIII said it best:

“Practical experience has now convinced me of this: the concept of holiness which I had formed and applied to myself was mistaken. In every one of my actions, and in the little failings of which I was immediately aware, I used to call to mind the image of some saint whom I had set myself to imitate down to the smallest particular, as a painter makes an exact copy of a picture by Raphael. I used to say to myself: in this case St. Aloysius would have done so and so, or: he would not do this or that. However, it turned out that I was never able to achieve that I thought I could do, and this worried me. The method was wrong. From the saints I must take the substance, not the accidents of their virtues. I am not St. Aloysuis, nor must I seek holiness in his particular way, but according to the requirements of my own nature, my own character, and the different conditions of my life. I must not be the dry, bloodless reproduction of a model, however perfect…If St. Aloysius had been as I am, he would have become holy in a different way.”

Remember, we are saints in the making. Strive always for holiness and God will fill in the rest.

All Souls Day and Indulgences

Pray for the souls of priests.

First, remember that you can gain indulgences on All Souls and the days following.

Second, 5 November is a first Thursday. You can gain a plenary indulgence during this year for Priests.

Third, would it not be a good idea in this Year for Priests, during the week after All Souls, for this 1st Thursday, to pray in a special way for the souls of deceased priests?

May I recommend that you bring this up with your parish priests, who might make pulpit announcements this Sunday?

My thanks to Fr. Z for the idea.