"Open your soul in Confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light"

"Today the Lord has been teaching me, once again, how I am to approach the Sacrament of Penance: My daughter, just as you prepare in My presence, so also you make your confession before Me.  The person of the priest is, for me only a screen....open your soul in confession as you would to Me, and I will fill it with My light"(Diary of St. Faustina, 1725).

This photo was taken just before we began one of Our Children's Rosary meetings.  The picture was taken by a child of a child in Confession.  Never before have I seen such a beautiful representation of Confession.  Indeed the light filling the soul is so beautifully represented streaming in through the stained glass windows upon the child.  The screen completely obscures the identity of the priest which is also beautiful as one can more easily envision Our Lord listening with a bent ear to each detail.

In the Catechism of the Catholic Church we are told that when the priest "celebrates the sacrament of Penance, the priest is fulfilling the ministry of the Good Shepherd who seeks the lost sheep, of the Good Samaritan who binds up wounds, of the Father who awaits the prodigal son and welcomes him on his return, and of the just and impartial judge whose judgement is both just and merciful.  The priest is the sign and the instrument of God's merciful love for the sinner." (Catechism #1466)

We are very grateful to the priests who give of their time to make this sacrament available to so many.  In the Archdiocese of Hartford, Connecticut USA,  each Monday evening every Church in the Archdiocese is open for Confession between 6-7PM ET.  We are very grateful for this precious gift.

Jesus Make Us Holy

Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church
North Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Photo taken on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Do we want to be holy?  Indeed it is a decision we make to ask for the graces to become holy.  We have to give Our Lord our yes as each of us is given free will.  If we wonder if Our Lord intended each one of us to be holy we have only to remember Our Lord's words: "Be perfect just as My Heavenly Father is perfect"(MT 5:48).  The Catechism of the Catholic Church also states "All are called to holiness."(Catechism #2013) 

Pope Francis, also encourages us "Do not be afraid of holiness, do not be afraid to aim high, to let yourself be loved and purified by God, do not be afraid to let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit."

Today in the gospel we heard of the transfiguration "And He was transformed before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them"(Mark 9:3).  

Indeed let us ask Our Lord to make us holy.  Please know that your prayers are joined by the many children who are members of the Children's Rosary.  We pray in a special way for holiness. We stumble along but through the prayers of so many and the generosity of Our Lord we are assisted.  The road is not easy.  As Our Lord knows us so well, He probes us and tests us just as Abraham was tested in the readings today.  But this is done with love.  The Children's Rosary and its members are no stranger to suffering but we also have received so much grace and love that it is difficult to contemplate a different road.  Where else would we go but towards the loving embrace of God. 

We have many Children's Rosary groups meeting this week.  Please consider joining them in prayer from your home.  The children always pray for those unifying prayers with them.

Friday March 27th 
Children's Rosasry at St. Mary's School in Orange TX 7:05 AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Mary's School in Pontiac IL at 9AM CT
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Saturday March 28th
Children's Rosary of St. Michael the Archangel Parish and held in the Kibera slum in Langatta Nairobi Kenya 10 local time
Children's Rosary at St. Michael's Church in Garden City, South Carolina at 10:30 AM ETChildren's Rosary at St. Mary's Church in Corvallis, Oregon 12 PM PT
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at the Daughters of Charity Convent in Bridgeport CT 2:30 PM ET
Sunday March 1st
Children's Rosary at Our Lady and St. Patrick's Church in Nottingham, England 9AM local time  (4AM ET)
Children's Rosary at Bl. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Nairobi, Kenya 6 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Luke's Church in Ogallala, Nebraska at 8:30 AM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Thomas Church in Thomaston, CT 11AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Church in Harlan, Kentucky 11:30 AM 
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lago Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Bernard Church in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania at 2PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Anthony Church in Lorain, Ohio 3PM ET in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
Children's Rosary at St. Joachim Parish in Madera, California 5:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at Assumption Church in Umoja, Kenya 2PM local time 
Children's Rosary at Immaculate Conception Church North Delta, British Columbia 6PM ET
Monday March 2nd
Children's Rosary at Our Lady of Grace Home for Children in Meru, Kenya at 10 AM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Trinity Academy in Shenandoah, PA 12:20 PM ET
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
Children's Rosary at Holy Family Church in Gladstone Michigan 4:30PM  ET
Children's Rosary at St. John the Evangelist Church in Mahopac, New York 4:30 PM ET
Children's Rosary at Rose of Mystica House in Edmeston, NY 4:30 PM ET
Tuesday March 3rd
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET

Children's Rosary at Holy Redeemer Parish in Menominee, Michigan 6PM EST

Children's Rosary at St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross in Lawrenceberg, Indiana 6:30 PM ET

Wednesday March 4th

Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate Lagos, Nigeria 1PM ET

Children's Rosary at St. Martin de Porres Church in Jensen Beach Florida.  The Rosary will be held in their Adoration Chapel at 6:15 PM ET (FIRST MEETING)

Thursday February 5th
Children's Rosary at St. Augustine Church in Iba Estate, Lagos Nigeria 1PM ET
The Children's Rosary at St. Martin Church in Kingsville, Texas will meet at 6:30 PM

Mass Offered Today for all Members of the Children's Rosary

St. Padre Pio Celebrating Mass

On the 25th of every month a Mass is offered for all members of the Children's Rosary and all those who help the Children's Rosary in any way.  It is a small thank you to the many who have helped this prayer movement.  

The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us so beautifully the importance of the Holy Eucharist:
The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life. The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch." (Catechism 1324)

A New Meaning to Suffering

"By His passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to Him and unite us with His redemptive Passion."(Catechism of the Catholic Church 1505)

The Catholic Church teaches us in our Catechism that:

The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men". But because in His incarnate Divine Person He has in some way united Himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him]", for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps." In fact Jesus desires to associate with His redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering. (Catechism 618)

May we never forget the depths of Our Lord Jesus' love that brought Him to the cross for our salvation.  In contemplation of that sacrifice may we unify even our smallest suffering to that of Our Lord's suffering on the Cross for the benefit of souls. Amen 

Start the New Year by Blessing Your Children

Many people are used to seeking blessings from priests which is a wonderful blessing to receive.  However, there are blessings that can be prayed by any person who has been baptized. The Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs us that "every baptized person is called to be a 'blessing,' and to bless" (no 1669; see Gn 12:2;Lk 6:28; Rom 12:14; 1 Pt 3:9).

In the Gospel of Luke the Lord tells us to "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Lk 6:28)

Months ago after Mass I was speaking with a wonderfully holy women who looks very much like Mother Teresa. She has a similar stature and bright joyful eyes.  She is 97 and shared with me that every night while she raised her children she blessed them as she put them to bed.  This was something she learned from her mother.  She said it was one of the fondest memories she has of her mother.  I loved this idea.  Earlier this week I stumbling upon a new section on the Unites States Conference of Catholic Bishops website regarding just this practice.  Today, on the Feast of Mary Mother of God I was struck that the reading to be selected was a call to bless others (Numbers 6: 22-27).  It is a beautiful blessing that starting today I would like to begin saying to my children as they go off to bed each night.  

The LORD said to Moses:
“Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them:
This is how you shall bless the Israelites.
Say to them:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon
you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and
give you peace!
So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites,
and I will bless them.”


For additional examples of blessings, The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops recommends a book called the Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. 

Holy Father Calls Christian Families to be Schools of Prayer

Feast of the Holy Family

Just a year ago, before the Feast of the Holy Family Our Holy Father spoke of the importance of prayer in our families.  

Our Holy Father  at the Crib of Jesus
Reuters picture

Benedict XVI December 28th 2011 “Our continuing catechesis on prayer leads us, during this Christmas season, to reflect on the place of prayer in the life of the Holy Family of Nazareth. In the home of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn to contemplate the mystery of God’s presence and to grow as faithful disciples of Christ. The Gospels present Mary as the supreme model of prayerful meditation on the mysteries of Christ’s life; in praying the Rosary, in fact, we unite ourselves to her contemplation of those mysteries in faith and hope. Saint Joseph fulfilled his vocation as the father of the Holy Family by teaching Jesus the importance of quiet fidelity to work, prayer and observance of the precepts of the Law. Jesus’ unique relationship with his heavenly Father was reflected in the prayer life of the Holy Family and stands at the heart of all Christian prayer. May the example of the Holy Family inspire all Christian families to be schools of prayer, where parents and children alike come to know that closeness to God which we joyfully celebrate in these days of Christmas.”

The Catechism echoes Our Holy Father’s directives regarding prayer in the family.

“Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children”. (Catechism 2225)  When should this evangelization begin?  The catechism is clear that it should start at an early age: “Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the ‘first heralds’ for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church”.(Catechism 2225)

The Children’s Rosary has dedicated this year to Renewal of Family Prayer.  To this end we have offered 31 Masses for the intention of Renewal of Family prayer.  Over 660 novenas to different saints have been said praying for renewal of family prayer.  Close to 400 Children’s Bibles have been given out to families to assist them in renewing family prayer in their homes.  Countless rosaries have been said in by children at their parent's knee that renewal of family prayer will spread across the globe.  On this Feast of the Holy Family may Our Lord bless each one of our families with a spirit of prayer. Amen. 

Getty Image- St. Peter's Square on Christmas Eve 

What is a Plenary Indulgence?

A plenary indulgence is removal of all of the temporal punishment due to sin. (Catechism 1471)

How Does one Obtain a Plenary Indulgence?

According to the Enchiridion of Indulgences 1968:

To acquire a plenary indulgence it is necessary to perform the work to which the indulgence is attached and to fulfill three conditions: sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff. It is further required that all attachment to sin, even to venial sin, be absent.

The three conditions may be fulfilled several days before or after the performance of the prescribed work; nevertheless it is fitting that Communion be received and the prayers for the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff be said the same day the work is performed.

The condition of praying for the Supreme Pontiff's intentions is fully satisfied by reciting one Our Father and one Hail Mary; nevertheless the individual faithful are free to recite any other prayer according to their own piety and devotion toward the Supreme Pontiff.

If this disposition is in any way less than complete, or if the Prescribed three conditions are not fulfilled, the indulgence will only be partial, except for the provisions contained in No. 11 for those who are "impeded."

Plenary Indulgence Available on All Souls Day:

As today is November 2nd, I thought I would include this special plenary indulgence only available on November 2nd:

According to the Enchiridion of Indulgences, a plenary indulgence applicable only to the dead can be acquired in all churches and public oratories -- and in semipublic oratories by those who have the right to use them --on November 2.

In visiting the church or oratory, it is required, according to Norm 16 of the same Apostolic Constitution, that "one Our Father and the Creed be recited."

Indulgences Available to those who use with Devotion a Blessed Object:

The faithful who use with devotion an object, piety (crucifix, cross, rosary, scapular or medal) properly blessed by any priest, can acquire a partial indulgence.

It is desirable to obtain a blessing of the object from a bishop or the Pope.

If this object of piety is blessed by the Supreme Pontiff or any bishop, the faithful who use it devoutly can also acquire a plenary indulgence on the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, provided they also make a profession of faith using any legitimate formula.(Enchiridion of Indulgences 1968)

What is an Indulgence?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

"An indulgence is a remission before God of the temporal punishment due to sins whose guilt has already been forgiven, which the faithful Christian who is duly disposed gains under certain prescribed conditions through the action of the Church which, as the minister of redemption, dispenses and applies with authority the treasury of the satisfactions of Christ and the saints."(Catechism 1471)

There are two types of indulgences:

"An indulgence is partial or plenary according as it removes either part or all of the temporal punishment due to sin." The faithful can gain indulgences for themselves or apply them to the dead.(Catechism 1471)

A plenary indulgence can only be acquired once a day except to the faithful in danger of death who cannot be assisted by a priest to bring them the sacraments and impart the apostolic blessing with its attendant plenary indulgence (according to canon 468, 2 of the Code of Canon Law).  A partial indulgence can be acquired more than once a day, unless there is explicit indication to the contrary. (Enchiridion of Indulgences 1968)

Indulgences can be applied to oneself or those who are no longer living.  No one acquiring indulgences can apply them to another living person. 

Call Upon the Grace of the Sacrament of Marriage

Almost weekly I find myself before the priest in Confession sharing all my weaknesses as a mother.  Times when I am short tempered or lack the love for them that I know they deserve.  Today I received advice that felt like it was spoken from Jesus himself.  The priest said call upon the grace of the Sacrament you received.  I thought for a moment and wondered if he meant communion.  He then said call upon the grace of the Sacrament of Marriage.  This will help you as a wife and mother.  How wonderful was this advice.  Upon leaving the priest I immediately found a piece of paper and wrote it down.  I did not want to forget this.  Hearing his advice reminded me of a piece of the Diary of St. Faustina where she calls upon the graces she received while making her perpetual vows.  It then became clear to me that we as married people can do the same thing.  

Tonight I opened the Diary of St. Faustina and went in search of that portion where she talks about her perpetual vows years later.  I was not able to find that portion but the parts I did re-read perfectly discussed some of the struggles I was encountering today.  As today is the feast of St. Faustina I felt a wonderful connection to her today and prayed for her intercession.  Her diary is an abyss of spiritual answers and consolations.  Each time one reads it different parts resonate.  

As I was not able to find the portion of the Diary where St. Faustina discusses these graces from her perpetual vows I then turned my attention to the catechism.  I searched the catechism with the words "grace from the sacrament of marriage"  What I found I have included here:

2225 Through the grace of the sacrament of marriage, parents receive the responsibility and privilege of evangelizing their children. Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith of which they are the "first heralds" for their children. They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church. A wholesome family life can foster interior dispositions that are a genuine preparation for a living faith and remain a support for it throughout one's life.

What is especially amazing about this match was that a priest I know had actually sent me this reference in the catechism earlier this week in relation to the children's rosary.  I had read it but focused more on the responsibility of the parent and had missed one of the most important parts of the statement.  I had missed the treasure of assistance available for struggling parents like myself.  This treasure of grace one can call upon years after receiving the sacrament of marriage.  Day after day I am overcome by the richness of our Faith and the wonderful blessings and assistance which are available to us.