Holy Comforter Parish Blog

Veterans' Day Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas

2009-11-10T09:00:00.001-05:00

Veterans' Day Mass

A mass honoring all American military veterans will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlottesville on Veterans Day, 11 November 11th at 5:15 p.m.. Father Joseph Scordo, O.P. will celebrate the Mass. Father Scordo, a parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, is a retired Navy chaplain who has ministered to our military men and women for 20 years at numerous assignments including Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Devotion: Other Suffrage for the Faithful Departed

2009-11-10T07:30:00.000-05:00

Other Suffrage for the Faithful Departed

November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory whom the Church remembers especially on November 2nd in the Feast of All Souls. We are encouraged to offer our prayers and sacrifices for the faithful departed.

The Church offers the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist for the dead not only on the occasion of their funerals, but also on the third, seventh, and thirtieth day following their deaths, as well as on their anniversaries. The celebration of the Mass in suffrage for the souls of the faithful departed is the Christian way of recalling and prolonging, in the Lord, that communion with those who have crossed the threshold of death. On 2 November, the Church incessantly offers the holy sacrifice of the Mass for the souls of all the faithful departed and prays the Liturgy of the Hours for them.

The Church daily supplicates and implores the Lord, in the celebration of the Mass and at Vespers, that "the faithful who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith [...] may be given light, happiness and peace".

It is important to instruct the faithful in the light of the celebration of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, in which the Church prays that all of the faithful departed, of whatever place or time, will be brought to the glory of the risen Lord, so as to avoid possessive or particular ideas that relate the Mass only to one's "own" dead(371). The celebration of Mass in suffrage for the dead also presents an important opportunity for catechesis on the last things.

From Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (255)

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Church History: Basilica of St. John LateranDedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

2009-11-09T20:45:00.000-05:00

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome

The Church celebrates the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome on November 9th. The following is taken from an address given by Pope Benedict XVI on November 9, 2008.

Today the liturgy celebrates the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, called "mother and head of all the churches of the city and the world." In fact, this basilica was the first to be built after Emperor Constantine's edict, in 313, granted Christians freedom to practice their religion.

The emperor himself gave Pope Miltiades the ancient palace of the Laterani family, and the basilica, the baptistery, and the patriarchate, that is, the Bishop of Rome's residence — where the Popes lived until the Avignon period — were all built there. The basilica's dedication was celebrated by Pope Sylvester around 324 and was named Most Holy Savior; only after the 6th century were the names of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist added, and now is typically denominated by these latter.

Initially the observance of this feast was confined to the city of Rome; then, beginning in 1565, it was extended to all the Churches of the Roman rite. The honoring of this sacred edifice was a way of expressing love and veneration for the Roman Church, which, as St. Ignatius of Antioch says, "presides in charity" over the whole Catholic communion (Letter to the Romans, 1:1).

On this solemnity the Word of God recalls an essential truth: the temple of stones is a symbol of the living Church, the Christian community, which in their letters the Apostles Peter and Paul already understood as a "spiritual edifice," built by God with "living stones," namely, Christians themselves, upon the one foundation of Jesus Christ, who is called the “cornerstone” (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, 16-17; 1 Peter 2:4-8; Ephesians 2:20-22). "Brothers, you are God’s building," St. Paul wrote, and added: "holy is God's temple, which you are” (1 Corinthians 3:9c, 17).

The beauty and harmony of the churches, destined to give praise to God, also draws us human beings, limited and sinful, to convert to form a "cosmos," a well-ordered structure, in intimate communion with Jesus, who is the true Saint of saints. This happens in a culminating way in the Eucharistic liturgy, in which the "ecclesia," that is, the community of the baptized, come together in a unified way to listen to the Word of God and nourish themselves with the Body and Blood of Christ. From these two tables the Church of living stones is built up in truth and charity and is internally formed by the Holy Spirit transforming herself into what she receives, conforming herself more and more to the Lord Jesus Christ. She herself, if she lives in sincere and fraternal unity, in this way becomes the spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God.

Dear friends, today's feast celebrates a mystery that is always relevant: God's desire to build a spiritual temple in the world, a community that worships him in spirit and truth (cf. John 4:23-24). But this observance also reminds us of the importance of the material buildings in which the community gathers to celebrate the praises of God. Every community therefore has the duty to take special care of its own sacred buildings, which are a precious religious and historical patrimony. For this we call upon the intercession of Mary Most Holy, that she help us to become, like her, the "house of God," living temple of his love.

From Catholic Culture

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Prayer for our Nation's Health Care Reform

2009-11-08T07:30:00.000-05:00

Prayer for our Nation's Health Care Reform

Lord Jesus, you are the Divine Physician,
And the source of all life and health.

Guide our nation at this critical moment,
As our government seeks health care reforms.

Give our elected officials the humility to know
That they are servants, not masters.
Give them the wisdom to realize
That every life has equal value.
Give them the strength to resist the idea
That some lives can be sacrificed to save others
Or that killing the unborn is part of health care.

Give your people the courage to speak up
And to hold public officials accountable for their actions.

Save us, Lord Jesus, from a culture of death,
And let every reform in our public policy
Be based on the reform of our hearts and minds
In the light of your Gospel,
For you are Lord forever and ever. Amen.

by Fr. Frank Pavone of Priests for Life

Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

2009-11-07T07:30:00.005-05:00

Sunday's Readings:

1 Kings 1:10-16
Psalm 146:7-10
Hebrews 9:24-28
Mark 12:28-24

Here are several commentaries on these readings:

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

The Widows' Faith (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Widow's Mite, Widow's Meal from The Crossroads Initiative

Link of the Week: Helpers of the Holy Souls

2009-11-06T07:30:00.001-05:00

The mission of Helpers of the Holy Souls is to relieve and gain release for the suffering souls in Purgatory who can no longer help themselves. Their primary aim is to have Masses, said by selected priests, every day of the year for the Holy Souls. Their secondary aim is share their apostolate with others who have a desire to replicate what they are doing. They accomplish this mission by holding monthly collections used solely to have Masses said for the Holy Souls and by having prayer meetings. The secondary aim is to share their apostolate with others who have a desire to replicate what they are doing.

The website is well done and a very good place to learn more about the souls in Purgatory and how to help them.

From Catholic Culture.

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Make the Education Connection

2009-11-05T07:30:00.000-05:00

Each school year, grocery stores in our area donate money to our local schools. The donations are tied to your use of each store's card. Card users can designate what school(s) should receive donations. By designating school(s) and using your grocery store card, you increase the amount that the designated school(s) will receive.

Even if you signed up last year, you need to sign up again this year as the school designations expire each spring. You can make the designations online. Click on the links below to sign up for each store. When making your school designations, consider supporting the Charlottesville Catholic School.

Food Lion

Giant

Harris Teeter

Excerpt from the Catechism: Contemplative Prayer, Part 3

2009-11-04T07:30:00.000-05:00

Contemplative Prayer, Part 3

One of the four main sections of the Catechism is devoted to the topic of Christian Prayer. The reason for this is clear--spiritual life requires prayer. However, although we know this, we often struggle with personal prayer for a variety of reasons. The Church, through the Catechism, encourages us to not be discouraged but to strive to deepen our prayer life through corporate prayer in the mass and personal prayer in our own devotion. One form of personal prayer is contemplative prayer. It is not a prayer for the super saints. As we read in this third and final installment, it is a prayer for all of us.

2716   Contemplative prayer is hearing the Word of God. Far from being passive, such attentiveness is the obedience of faith, the unconditional acceptance of a servant, and the loving commitment of a child. It participates in the "Yes" of the Son become servant and the Fiat of God's lowly handmaid.

2717   Contemplative prayer is silence, the "symbol of the world to come" or "silent love." Words in this kind of prayer are not speeches; they are like kindling that feeds the fire of love. In this silence, unbearable to the "outer" man, the Father speaks to us his incarnate Word, who suffered, died, and rose; in this silence the Spirit of adoption enables us to share in the prayer of Jesus.

2718   Contemplative prayer is a union with the prayer of Christ insofar as it makes us participate in his mystery. the mystery of Christ is celebrated by the Church in the Eucharist, and the Holy Spirit makes it come alive in contemplative prayer so that our charity will manifest it in our acts.

2719   Contemplative prayer is a communion of love bearing Life for the multitude, to the extent that it consents to abide in the night of faith. the Paschal night of the Resurrection passes through the night of the agony and the tomb - the three intense moments of the Hour of Jesus which his Spirit (and not "the flesh [which] is weak") brings to life in prayer. We must be willing to "keep watch with (him) one hour."

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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Devotion: Prayer for the Faithful Departed

2009-11-03T20:30:00.001-05:00

November is dedicated to the Souls in Purgatory whom the Church remembers especially on November 2nd in the Feast of All Souls. We are encouraged to offer our prayers and sacrifices for the faithful departed.

The just encounter God in death. He calls them to himself so as to share eternal life with them. No one, however, can be received into God's friendship and intimacy without having been purified of the consequences of personal sin. "The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent".

Hence derives the pious custom of suffrage for the souls of the faithful departed, which is an urgent supplication of God to have mercy on the souls of the dead, to purify them by the fire of His charity, and to bring them to His kingdom of light and life. This suffrage is a cultic expression of faith in the communion of saints. Indeed, "the Church in its pilgrim members, from the very earliest days of the Christian religion, has honored with great respect the memory of the dead; and 'because it is a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead that they may be loosed from their sins' (2 Mac 12, 46) she offers her suffrages for them". These consist, primarily, in the celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Eucharist, and in other pious exercises, such as prayers for the dead, alms deeds, works of mercy, and the application of indulgences to the souls of the faithful departed.

From Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (251)

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Get Out Your Vote

2009-11-02T07:30:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow, November 3rd, is election day in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In this year's election, we are voting for a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General in the statewide elections. In addition, all seats in the House of Delegates are up for election. Finally, there are many local elections that are being contested. Be sure to get out and vote in order to exercise this precious right and to fulfill your duty to others.

Part of our responsibility to love God and our neighbor includes our faithful participation in the political process. We are called to bring the Gospel, including the beautiful moral and social teaching of the Church, to bear in our daily lives. That means that we must vote with a conscience informed by Christ through His Church.

To assist us in being informed, our Bishop, through the Virginia Catholic Conference, has provided the following resources:

A pre-election letter issued by Bishops DiLorenzo and Loverde (Participating Faithfully in the Political Process: A Letter from the Catholic Bishops of Virginia to the Faithful of Their Dioceses).

A five-part issue series on Catholic social teaching and current state issues (Faithful Citizenship in Virginia: Issues for the 2009 Elections).

Responses to a questionnaire sent to all candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and contested House of Delegates seats (click here for charts for our diocese which is the Diocese of Richmond. For anyone in the other diocese in Virginia, which is the Diocese of Arlington, click here.)

Finally, some basic, but very important information:

If you are not sure where you need to go to vote, click here to find your polling place.

Not sure what your House of Delegate district is? Use this form to find out your House of Delegate district.

Church History: All Souls

2009-11-01T08:00:00.001-05:00

November 2 is the feast for the commemoration of the faithful departed, or more commonly known as All Souls.

All Souls Day follows All Saints Day, and commemorates the faithful departed, those who die in God's faith and friendship. However, Catholics believe that not all those who die in God's grace are immediately ready for the Beatific vision, i.e. the reality and goodness of God and heaven, so they must be purified of "lesser faults," and the temporal effects of sin. The Catholic Church calls this purification of the elect, "purgatory." The Catholic teaching on Purgatory essentially requires belief in two realities: 1. that there will be a purification of believers prior to entering heaven and 2. that the prayers and masses of the faithful in some way benefit those in the state of purification. As to the duration, place, and exact nature of this purification, the Church has no official dogma, although Saint Augustine and others used fire as a way to explain the nature of the purification. Many faithful Catholics, including Pope Benedict XVI, grant that Purgatory may be an existential state as opposed to a temporal place. In other words, Purgatory may be something we experience instantaneously, because it is outside of the confines of created time and space. Many non-Catholics, including C.S. Lewis, have believed in Purgatory, and the official dogma of Purgatory is hardly offensive, even if the popular understanding of it has led to confusion. As a more everyday explanation, many liken Purgatory to a place to "clean up" oneself before going into the presence of Almighty God.

All Souls is the day to remember, pray for, and offer requiem masses up for these faithful departed in the state of purification. Typically Christians will take this day to offer prayers up on behalf of their departed relatives and friends. Others may remember influential individuals that they never knew personally, such as presidents, musicians, etc. This may be done in the form of the Office of the Dead (Defunctorum officium), i.e. a prayer service offered in memory of departed loved ones. Often this office is prayed on the anniversary (or eve) of the death of a loved one, or on All Souls' Day.

There are many customs associated with All Souls Day, and these vary greatly from culture to culture. In Mexico they celebrate All Souls Day as el dia de los muertos, or "the day of the dead." Customs include going to a graveyard to have a picnic, eating skull-shaped candy, and leaving food out for dead relatives. The practice of leaving food out for dead relatives is interesting, but not exactly Catholic Theology. If all of this seems a little morbid, remember that all cultures deal with death in different manners. The Western aversion to anything related to death is not present in other cultures. In the Philippines, they celebrate "Memorial Day" based loosely on All Souls Day. Customs include praying novenas for the holy souls, and ornately decorating relatives' graves. On the eve of All Souls (i.e. the evening of All Saints Day), partiers go door-to-door, requesting gifts and singing a traditional verse representing the liberation of holy souls from purgatory. In Hungary the day is known as Halottak Napja, "the day of the dead," and a common custom is inviting orphans into the family and giving them food, clothes, and toys. In rural Poland, a legend developed that at midnight on All Souls Day a great light shone on the local parish. This light was said to be the holy souls of departed parishioners gathered to pray for their release from Purgatory at the altars of their former earthly parishes. After this, the souls were said to return to scenes from their earthly life and work, visiting homes and other places. As a sign of welcome, Poles leave their windows and doors ajar on the night of All Souls Day. All of these customs show the wide variety of traditions related to All Souls Day..

From ChurchYear.net

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Prayer Intentions for November

2009-11-01T07:30:00.004-05:00

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of Himself. - Bl. Teresa of Calcutta

The Holy Father's prayer intentions for November are:

General: That all the men and women in the world, especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard creation.

Mission: That believers in the different religions, through the testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace.

Pro-Life Prayer Intention

That the children who are now scheduled to be aborted may be protected.

Church History: All Saints

2009-10-31T08:00:00.002-04:00

The Church celebrates the solemnity of All Saints on November 1st.

Christians have been honoring their saints and martyrs since at least the second century AD. The Martyrdom of Polycarp, probably written near the middle of the second century, attests to this reality:

Accordingly, we afterwards took up his bones, more precious than the most exquisite jewels, and more pure than gold, and deposited them in a fitting place, so that when being gathered together, as opportunity is allowed us, with joy and rejoicing, the Lord shall grant us to celebrate the anniversary of his martyrdom, both in memory of those who have already finished their course, and for the exercising and preparation of those yet to walk in their steps.

Initially the calendars of saints and martyrs varied from location to location, and many times local churches honored local saints. However, gradually feast days became more universal. The first reference to a general feast celebrating all saints occurs in St. Ephrem the Syrian (d. AD 373). St. John Chrysostom (d. AD 407) assigned a day to the feast, the first Sunday after Pentecost, where in the Eastern Churches the feast is celebrated to this day. In the West, this date was probably originally used, and then the feast was moved to May 13th. The current observance (November 1) probably originates from the time of Pope Gregory III (d. AD 741), and was likely first observed on November 1st in Germany. This fact makes the connection of the All Saints Feast with the pagan festival Samhain less likely, since Samhain was an Irish pagan feast, rather than German.

The vigil of the Feast (the eve) has grown up in the English speaking countries as a festival in itself, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. While many consider Halloween pagan (and in many instances the celebrations are for many), as far as the Church is concerned the date is simply the eve of the feast of All Saints. Many customs of Halloween reflect the Christian belief that on the feast's vigils we mock evil, because as Christians, it has no real power over us. However, for some Halloween is used for evil purposes, in which many Christians dabble unknowingly. David Morrison explains the proper relationship between Christians and Halloween. Various customs have developed related to Halloween. In the Middle Ages, poor people in the community begged for "soul cakes," and upon receiving these doughnuts, they would agree to pray for departed souls. This is the root of our modern day "trick-or-treat." The custom of masks and costumes developed to mock evil and perhaps confuse the evil spirits by dressing as one of their own. Some Christians visit cemeteries on Halloween, not to practice evil, but to commemorate departed relatives and friends, with picnics and the last flowers of the year. The day after All Saints day is called All Soul's Day, a day to remember and offer prayers up on behalf of all of the faithful departed. In many cultures it seems the two days share many customs.

From ChurchYear.Net

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All Saints (Cycle B)

2009-10-31T07:30:00.001-04:00

Sunday's Readings:

Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Psalm 24:1-61
John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

Here are several commentaries on these readings:

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

Saints, Here and There (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

All Saints Day Means Holiness is for All from The Crossroads Initiative

Link of the Week: The Rosary Army

2009-10-30T07:30:00.001-04:00

Rosary Army encourages people of all ages (especially teens and those without a complete understanding of the Rosary) to grow closer to God by meditating on the life of Jesus Christ through the praying of the Rosary. Their site is exceptionally well done and attractive. Rosary Army offers free instruction on making knotted twine/cord rosaries, and information on praying the Rosary. They also provide limited Rosary-making supplies to others and manage the distribution of donated Rosaries throughout North America via mail requests and religious conferences. Their daily news is upbeat and interesting.

From Catholic Culture.

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Why We Vote

2009-10-29T08:00:00.006-04:00

As Election Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia draws closer, our bishops want to remind us why we are obligated to vote and what we should consider in determining for whom we should vote.

First, as citizens of this great state, we have the right to vote which we should exercise in order to participate in the political process.

As Catholic Christians, we are called to love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and our neighbor as we love ourselves. Love of neighbor includes bringing to bear the message of the Gospel and the beautiful moral and social teaching which has been faithfully handed down and preserved by Holy Mother Church. The political process is an important forum in which we are called to participate and to bring the message of the Gospel.

On, November 3rd, we will have the opportunity to vote for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General of Virginia along with the election of the entire membership of the House of Delegates.

In order to be better informed about the issues in which we should be concerned, the Virginia Catholic Conference, which serves Virginia's two bishops as advocates for issues of social justice, is providing a five part series on key issues in Virginia entitled Faithful Citizenship in Virginia: Issues for the 2009 Elections. Each of the five parts is about two pages long and covers an important issue that we should bear in mind as we determine for whom we will vote. The topics are:

Abortion and Embryonic Stem-Cell Research
The Death Penalty
Marriage and Family Life
Economic Concerns and Health Care
Education

Please take the time to read this information and remember to vote on Tuesday, November 3rd.

Church History: St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

2009-10-29T07:30:00.001-04:00

St. Alphonsus Rodriguez

The Church celebrates the feast of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez on October 30th.

Born at Segovia in Spain, 25 July, 1532; died at Majorca, 31 October, 1617. On account of the similarity of names he is often confounded with Father Rodriguez the author of "Christian Perfection", who though eminent in his holiness was never canonized. The Saint was a Jesuit lay-brother who entered the Society at the age of forty. He was the son of a wool merchant who had been reduced to poverty when Alfonso was still young. At the age of twenty-six he married Mary Francisco Suárez, a woman of his own station, and at thirty-one found himself a widower with one surviving child, the other two having died previously. From that time he began a life of prayer and mortification, although separated from the world around him. On the death of his third child his thoughts turned to a life in some religious order. Previous associations had brought him into contact with the first Jesuits who had come to Spain, Bl. Peter Faber among others, but it was apparently impossible to carry out his purpose of entering the Society, as he was without education, having only had an incomplete year at a new college begun at Alcalá by Francis Villanueva. At the age of thirty-nine he attempted to make up this deficiency by following the course at the College of Barcelona, but without success. His austerities had also undermined his health. After considerable delay he was finally admitted into the Society of Jesus as a lay-brother, 31 January, 1571. Distinct novitiates had not as yet been established in Spain, and Alfonso began his term of probation at Valencia or Gandia -- this point is a subject of dispute -- and after six months was sent to the recently-founded college at Majorca, where he remained in the humble position of porter for forty-six years, exercising a marvelous influence on the sanctification not only of the members of the household, but upon a great number of people who came to the porter's lodge for advice and direction. Among the distinguished Jesuits who came under his influence was St. Peter Clavier, who lived with him for some time at Majorca, and who followed his advice in asking for the missions of South America. The bodily mortifications which he imposed on himself were extreme, the scruples and mental agitation to which he was subject were of frequent occurrence, his obedience absolute, and his absorption in spiritual things even when engaged on most distracting employments, continual. It has often been said that he was the author of the well known "Little Office of the Immaculate Conception", and the claim is made by Alegambe, Southwell, and even by the Fathers de Backer in their Bibliothèque de la Compagnie de Jésus. Apart from the fact that the brother did not have the requisite education for such a task, Father Costurer says positively that the office he used was taken from an old copy printed out of Spain, and Father Colin asserts that it existed before the Saint's time. It may be admitted, however, that through him it was popularized. He left a considerable number of manuscripts after him, some of which have been published as "Obras Espirituales del B. Alonso Rodriguez" (Barcelona, 1885, 3 vols., octavo, complete edition, 8 vols. in quarto). They have no pretense to style; they are sometimes only reminiscences of domestic exhortations; the texts are often repeated; the illustrations are from everyday life; the treatment of one virtue occasionally trenches on another; but they are remarkable for the correctness and soundness of their doctrine and the profound spiritual knowledge which they reveal. They were not written with a view to publication, but put down by the Saint himself, or dictated to others, in obedience to a positive command of his superiors. He was declared Venerable in 1626. In 1633 he was chosen by the Council General of Majorca as one of the special patrons of the city and island. In 1760 Clement XIII decreed that "the virtues of the Venerable Alonso were proved to be of a heroic degree"; but the expulsion of the Society from Spain in 1773, and its suppression, delayed his beatification until 1825. His canonization took place 6 September, 1887. His remains are enshrined at Majorca.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia

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Excerpt from the Catechism: Contemplative Prayer, Part 2

2009-10-28T07:30:00.001-04:00

Contemplative Prayer, Part 2

One of the four main sections of the Catechism is devoted to the topic of Christian Prayer. The reason for this is clear--spiritual life requires prayer. However, although we know this, we often struggle with personal prayer for a variety of reasons. The Church, through the Catechism, encourages us to not be discouraged but to strive to deepen our prayer life through corporate prayer in the mass and personal prayer in our own devotion. One form of personal prayer is contemplative prayer. It is not a prayer for the super saints. It is a prayer for all of us.

2713   Contemplative prayer is the simplest expression of the mystery of prayer. It is a gift, a grace; it can be accepted only in humility and poverty. Contemplative prayer is a covenant relationship established by God within our hearts. Contemplative prayer is a communion in which the Holy Trinity conforms man, the image of God, "to his likeness."

2714   Contemplative prayer is also the preeminently intense time of prayer. In it the Father strengthens our inner being with power through his Spirit "that Christ may dwell in (our) hearts through faith" and we may be "grounded in love."

2715   Contemplation is a gaze of faith, fixed on Jesus. "I look at him and he looks at me": this is what a certain peasant of Ars used to say to his holy cure about his prayer before the tabernacle. This focus on Jesus is a renunciation of self. His gaze purifies our heart; the light of the countenance of Jesus illumines the eyes of our heart and teaches us to see everything in the light of his truth and his compassion for all men. Contemplation also turns its gaze on the mysteries of the life of Christ. Thus it learns the "interior knowledge of our Lord," the more to love him and follow him.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

Devotion: The Rosary, Part 3

2009-10-27T07:30:00.002-04:00

The Rosary, Part 3

October is dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Many saints throughout the centuries have proposed the Rosary as a beautiful devotion to help us grow in the spiritual life.

The custom of making an insertion in the recitation of the Hail Mary, which is an ancient one that has not completely disappeared, has often been recommended by the Pastors of the Church since it encourages meditation and the concurrence of mind and lips.

Insertions of this nature would appear particularly suitable for the repetitive and meditative character of the Rosary. It takes the form of a relative clause following the name of Jesus and refers to the mystery being contemplated. The meditation of the Rosary can be helped by the choice of a short clause of a Scriptural and Liturgical nature, fixed for every decade.

"In recommending the value and beauty of the Rosary to the faithful, care should be taken to avoid discrediting other forms of prayer, or of overlooking the existence of a diversity of other Marian chaplets which have also been approved by the Church". It is also important to avoid inculcating a sense of guilt in those who do not habitually recite the Rosary: "The Rosary is an excellent prayer, in regard to which, however, the faithful should feel free to recite it, in virtue of its inherent beauty".

From Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy (201-2)

This post is from the Holy Comforter Catholic Church eNewsletter which is sent out once a week via email. If you would like to subscribe to the eNewsletter, click here.

Election Day Reminder and Candidate Responses to VCC Questionnaire

2009-10-26T07:30:00.002-04:00

Election Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia is just over a week away--Tuesday, November 3rd.

This year, citizens of Virginia are electing a Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and an Attorney General. In addition, all seats in the House of Delegates are up for election.

The Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) sent a questionnaire on July 27th to all candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and candidates in the contested races for the House of Delegates. The questions addressed a wide range of issues on the VCC's 2009 legislative agenda that are likely to receive consideration again during the 2010 General Assembly session. The responses are provided on the VCC Web site in order to help you become more informed about the candidates' positions on a number of very important issues.

Not sure what your House of Delegate district is? Use this form to find out your House of Delegate district.

The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)

2009-10-24T07:30:00.003-04:00

Sunday's Readings:

Jeremiah 31:7-9
Psalm 126:1-6
Hebrews 5:1-6
Mark 10:46-52

Here are several commentaries on these readings:

St. Charles Borromeo Lectionary Site (PDF)

Seeing the Son of David (Also available to be heard as an MP3) from St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Bartimaeus and the Nature of Christian Faith from The Crossroads Initiative

Devotion: Novena Prayer to your Patron Saint

2009-10-23T08:00:00.000-04:00

The solemnity of All Saints is November 1st. In preparation for this feast, here is a novena to your patron saint.

Novena Prayer to your Patron Saint
Novena Dates October 24 - November 1, Feast Day November 1

Great Saint (name of Patron Saint), at my Baptism you were chosen as a guardian and witness of my obligations, and under your name, I then became an adopted child of God, and solemnly renounced Satan, his works, and his empty promises. Assist me by your powerful intercession in the fulfillment of these sacred promises. You also made them in the days of your earthly pilgrimage, and your fidelity in keeping them to the end has obtained for you an everlasting reward in heaven.

I am called to the same happiness that you enjoy. The same help is offered to me that enabled you to acquire eternal glory. You overcame temptations like those that I experience.

Pray for me, therefore, my Holy Patron, so that, being inspired by your example and assisted by your prayers, I may live a holy life, die a happy death, and reach eternal life to praise and thank God in heaven with you.

I ask you to pray to God for this special request if it be God's holy Will: (Mention your request).

Prayer

Almighty, eternal God, You were pleased to make Your Church illustrious through the varied splendor of the Saints. As we venerate their memory may we also follow such shining examples of virtue on earth and thus obtain merited crowns in heaven. We ask this though Christ our Lord. Amen.

Link of the Week: The Social Justice Review

2009-10-23T07:30:00.001-04:00

The Social Justice Review, founded by the Catholic Central Verein of America in 1908, is a journal of Catholic social action. Its primary purpose is "to advocate and foster the restoration of society on the basis of Christian principles in conformity with the social teachings of the Popes." The site itself serves as an introduction to the Review. It features some excellent reviews of books published by the Review as well as current articles from the magazine. You can also find information about subscriptions and membership in Scholars for Social Justice.

From Catholic Culture.

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Church History: St. John of Capistrano

2009-10-22T07:30:00.001-04:00

St. John of Capistrano

The Church celebrates the feast of St. John of Capistrano on October 23rd.

Born at Capistrano, in the Diocese of Sulmona, Italy, 1385; died 23 October, 1456. His father had come to Naples in the train of Louis of Anjou, hence is supposed to have been of French blood, though some say he was of German origin. His father dying early, John owed his education to his mother. She had him at first instructed at home and then sent him to study law at Perugia, where he achieved great success under the eminent legist, Pietro de Ubaldis. In 1412 he was appointed governor of Perugia by Ladislaus, King of Naples, who then held that city of the Holy See. As governor he set himself against civic corruption and bribery. War broke out in 1416 between Perugia and the Malatesta. John was sent as ambassador to propose peace to the Malatesta, who however cast him into prison. It was during this imprisonment that he began to think more seriously about his soul. He decided eventually to give up the world and become a Franciscan Friar, owing to a dream he had in which he saw St. Francis and was warned by the saint to enter the Franciscan Order. John had married a wealthy lady of Perugia immediately before the war broke out, but as the marriage was not consummated he obtained a dispensation to enter religion, which he did 4 October, 1416.

After he had taken his vows he came under the influence of St. Bernardine of Siena, who taught him theology: he had as his fellow-student St. James of the Marches. He accompanied St. Bernardine on his preaching tours in order to study his methods, and in 1420, whilst still in deacon's orders, was himself permitted to preach. But his apostolic life began in 1425, after he had received the priesthood. From this time until his death he labored ceaselessly for the salvation of souls. He traversed the whole of Italy; and so great were the crowds who came to listen to him that he often had to preach in the public squares. At the time of his preaching all business stopped. At Brescia on one occasion he preached to a crowd of one hundred and twenty-six thousand people, who had come from all the neighboring provinces. On another occasion during a mission, over two thousand sick people were brought to him that he might sign them with the sign of the Cross, so great was his fame as a healer of the sick. Like St. Bernardine of Siena he greatly propagated devotion to the Holy Name of Jesus, and, together with that saint, was accused of heresy because of this devotion. While he was thus carrying on his apostolic work, he was actively engaged in assisting St. Bernardine in the reform of the Franciscan Order. In 1429 John, together with other Observant friars, was cited to Rome on the charge of heresy, and he was chosen by his companions to defend their cause; the friars were acquitted by the commission of cardinals.

After this, Pope Martin V conceived the idea of uniting the Conventual Friars Minor and the Observants, and a general chapter of both bodies of Franciscans was convoked at Assisi in 1430. A union was effected, but it did not last long. The following year the Observants held a chapter at Bologna, at which John was the moving spirit. According to Gonzaga, John was about this time appointed commissary general of the Observants, but his name does not appear among the commissaries and vicars in Holzapfel's list (Manuale Hist. Ord. FF. Min., 624-5) before 1443. But it was owing to him that St. Bernardine was appointed vicar-general in 1438. Shortly after this, whilst visiting France he met St. Colette, the reformer of the Second Franciscan Order or Poor Clares, with whose efforts he entirely sympathized. He was frequently employed on embassies by the Holy See. In 1439 he was sent as legate to Milan and Burgundy, to oppose the claims of the antipope Felix V; in 1446 he was on a mission to the King of France; in 1451 he went at the request of the emperor as Apostolic nuncio to Austria. During the period of his nunciature John visited all parts of the empire, preaching and combating the heresy of the Hussites; he also visited Poland at the request of Casimir IV. In 1454 he was summoned to the Diet at Frankfort, to assist that assembly in its deliberation concerning a crusade against the Turks for the relief of Hungary: and here, too, he was the leading spirit. When the crusade was actually in operation John accompanied the famous Hunyady throughout the campaign: he was present at the battle of Belgrade, and led the left wing of the Christian army against the Turks. He was beatified in 1694, and canonized in 1724. He wrote many books, chiefly against the heresies of his day.

From the Catholic Encyclopedia

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Excerpt from the Catechism: Contemplative Prayer, Part 1

2009-10-21T07:30:00.000-04:00

Contemplative Prayer, Part 1

One of the four main sections of the Catechism is devoted to the topic of Christian Prayer. The reason for this is clear--spiritual life requires prayer. However, although we know this, we often struggle with personal prayer for a variety of reasons. The Church, through the Catechism, encourages us to not be discouraged but to strive to deepen our prayer life through corporate prayer in the mass and personal prayer in our own devotion. One form of personal prayer is contemplative prayer. It is not a prayer for the super saints. It is a prayer for all of us.

2709   "What is contemplative prayer? St. Teresa answers: "Contemplative prayer [oración mental] in my opinion is nothing else than a close sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with him who we know loves us." Contemplative prayer seeks him "whom my soul loves." It is Jesus, and in him, the Father. We seek him, because to desire him is always the beginning of love, and we seek him in that pure faith which causes us to be born of him and to live in him. In this inner prayer we can still meditate, but our attention is fixed on the Lord himself.

2710   The choice of the time and duration of the prayer arises from a determined will, revealing the secrets of the heart. One does not undertake contemplative prayer only when one has the time: one makes time for the Lord, with the firm determination not to give up, no matter what trials and dryness one may encounter. One cannot always meditate, but one can always enter into inner prayer, independently of the conditions of health, work, or emotional state. the heart is the place of this quest and encounter, in poverty ant in faith.

2711   Entering into contemplative prayer is like entering into the Eucharistic liturgy: we "gather up:" the heart, recollect our whole being under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, abide in the dwelling place of the Lord which we are, awaken our faith in order to enter into the presence of him who awaits us. We let our masks fall and turn our hearts back to the Lord who loves us, so as to hand ourselves over to him as an offering to be purified and transformed.

2712   Contemplative prayer is the prayer of the child of God, of the forgiven sinner who agrees to welcome the love by which he is loved and who wants to respond to it by loving even more.8 But he knows that the love he is returning is poured out by the Spirit in his heart, for everything is grace from God. Contemplative prayer is the poor and humble surrender to the loving will of the Father in ever deeper union with his beloved Son.

Catechism of the Catholic Church

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