Sons of St. Pius of Pietrelcina

31/08/2024

Sep. 01, 2024
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Reflection

On this blessed Sunday, let us pause to truly hear and understand the Word of GOD, not merely as background noise in our lives, but as a guiding light for our actions. As Moses reminded the Israelites in Deuteronomy, hearing GOD’s Word means embracing His commandments wholeheartedly, not adding to or subtracting from them, but letting them transform how we live. Just like listening attentively to lyrics in a song can move us to change, actively engaging with Scripture can inspire us to love and serve others genuinely. In James, we are urged not to be mere hearers of the Word, but doers, putting faith into action through kindness and purity of heart (James 1:22, 27). Jesus, in the Gospel of Mark, challenges us to focus on inner purity rather than outward rituals, emphasizing that true transformation begins from within (Mark 7:14-15, 21-23).

Reflecting on these readings, we are reminded that obedience to GOD means listening intently to His teachings, particularly the commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Just as Jesus loved us, so must we love one another (John 13:34). This love should overflow into our daily interactions, guiding us to care for those in need and to live with integrity, unstained by the world’s distractions. Today, let us commit ourselves not only to hearing the Word of GOD but also to embodying its truth in our thoughts, words, and deeds, allowing it to shape us into disciples who reflect the love and compassion of Christ in all we do.

25/08/2024

HEALING THROUGH GRACE:
A Catholic Journey to Making Peace with the Past

The concept of making peace with your past is deeply rooted in Catholic theology, which emphasizes forgiveness, healing, and reconciliation.

Many Catholics struggle with past wounds, whether caused by their own mistakes or by the hurtful actions of others.

The journey toward peace involves understanding God’s mercy, embracing forgiveness, and seeking reconciliation with God, oneself, and others.

In this discussion, we will explore what it means to make peace with the past from a Catholic perspective, including key steps, examples, and biblical references that guide the process.

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1. ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PAST

- **What It Means**: The first step in making peace with your past is to acknowledge it honestly.

This involves reflecting on your experiences, actions, and feelings without avoiding or suppressing them. Whether it involves personal sin, past trauma, or relational conflict, facing your past is essential.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
In Catholic spirituality, acknowledgment of the past is akin to the examination of conscience.

This practice invites individuals to take an honest look at their lives in the light of God's truth.

It is important not to deny or hide from past sins or painful experiences but to confront them with humility and honesty.

Only by acknowledging the past can a person begin the process of healing and reconciliation.

- **Biblical Reference**: **Psalm 32:5**—"Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin." This verse reflects the necessity of acknowledging sin and seeking God’s mercy.

- **Example**: A person who once had a broken relationship with a parent due to unresolved anger may struggle with feelings of guilt or resentment.

Acknowledging the hurt and the role each person played in the conflict is the first step toward healing.

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2. SEEK GOD'S FORGIVENESS

- **What It Means**: Catholic teaching emphasizes that no matter the gravity of past sins, God’s mercy is infinite.

Seeking God's forgiveness is central to making peace with the past. This includes confessing your sins in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, where you receive God's absolution and grace.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
The Sacrament of Reconciliation, or Confession, is one of the most profound ways Catholics can make peace with their past.

By confessing sins to a priest, the penitent not only receives forgiveness but also experiences the healing power of God’s grace.

Confession restores a person to a state of grace, enabling them to move forward without the burden of past guilt.

This sacrament is an outward sign of inward repentance and a reminder that God’s forgiveness is always available.

- **Biblical Reference**: **1 John 1:9**—"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This passage emphasizes God’s readiness to forgive those who confess their sins.

- **Example**: Consider a man who regrets having lived a reckless and immoral life in his youth.

Upon going to confession and receiving absolution, he feels a profound sense of peace knowing that his sins are forgiven. This frees him from the guilt of his past.

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3. FORGIVE YOURSELF

- **What It Means**: Forgiving oneself is often one of the most challenging steps in making peace with the past.

While seeking God’s forgiveness is essential, it’s equally important to accept that forgiveness personally.

Self-forgiveness involves letting go of guilt and shame and recognizing your worth as a beloved child of God.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
Self-forgiveness is rooted in the belief that God's mercy is greater than any sin. When individuals cling to past guilt or shame, they fail to fully accept the grace that God offers.

The Church teaches that once we have been forgiven by God, we must also forgive ourselves and move forward in freedom.

This does not mean forgetting our mistakes but rather learning from them and allowing God’s grace to transform us.

Holding on to self-condemnation can prevent spiritual growth.

- **Biblical Reference**: **Philippians 3:13-14**—"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." St. Paul encourages letting go of the past and moving forward in faith.

- **Example**:
A woman who once had an abortion may carry deep shame and guilt, even after seeking God’s forgiveness.

Learning to forgive herself allows her to experience true healing and to live out her faith more fully, perhaps by ministering to others who face similar struggles.

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4. FORGIVE OTHERS

- **What It Means**: Forgiving others who have hurt you is a crucial aspect of making peace with your past.

The Church teaches that forgiveness is not just a suggestion but a command from Christ. Holding on to resentment or anger can poison the soul and block healing.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
Forgiveness is an act of the will, not just a feeling. It involves releasing the desire for vengeance or retribution and instead choosing to offer mercy.

This does not mean condoning wrongdoing but rather freeing oneself from the destructive grip of bitterness. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches us to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22), emphasizing that forgiveness should be limitless.

When we forgive others, we imitate Christ, who forgave His persecutors on the cross. By forgiving, we free ourselves from the chains of past hurt.

- **Biblical Reference**: **Matthew 6:14-15**—"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Jesus’ words remind us that forgiving others is essential to our own forgiveness.

- **Example**:
A man who harbored resentment toward a friend who betrayed him eventually chooses to forgive after years of estrangement. In doing so, he experiences peace and the possibility of reconciliation, even if the relationship is never restored.

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5. EMBRACE HEALING AND RECONCILIATION

- **What It Means**:
Making peace with the past often involves the process of healing and reconciliation. Healing takes time and may require prayer, reflection, and sometimes professional counseling.

Reconciliation, when possible, involves restoring broken relationships, though it may not always be achievable.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
Healing in the Catholic faith involves both spiritual and emotional restoration. This can be found in the sacraments, particularly in the Eucharist, where we encounter Christ, the Divine Physician.

Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and participating in the Mass bring healing and peace. Reconciliation with others can be a powerful step in moving forward.

However, even when reconciliation is not possible due to estranged relationships or unresolved circumstances, Catholics are called to pray for the other person and let go of any lingering resentment.

- **Biblical Reference**: **2 Corinthians 5:18**—"All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." This verse highlights God’s desire for reconciliation, both with Himself and with others.

- **Example**: A woman who was estranged from her family for years due to a dispute decides to reach out and mend the relationship.

Though the process is slow and painful, both sides experience healing, and a relationship is restored that was once thought lost forever.

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6. TRUST IN GOD'S PROVIDENCE

- **What It Means**: Ultimately, making peace with the past requires trusting in God’s providence and plan for your life. Believing that God can bring good out of even the most painful or sinful circumstances enables you to find peace, knowing that He is always at work.

- **In-depth Explanation**:
The Catholic faith teaches that God can bring good out of any situation, no matter how difficult or painful. This belief is rooted in the Paschal Mystery—the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ. Just as Christ’s suffering was transformed into new life, so too can our past wounds be redeemed by God’s grace. Trusting in God’s providence means believing that He is present in every moment of our lives, guiding us toward healing and peace. It also involves surrendering control and accepting that God’s ways are higher than our own.

- **Biblical Reference**: **Romans 8:28**—"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." This passage reminds us that God can transform even the most difficult experiences for our ultimate good.

- **Example**: A man who struggled with addiction and lost his job and family due to his actions eventually finds peace by trusting that God can use his recovery journey to help others. He begins working in a ministry for recovering addicts, finding purpose and meaning through his past suffering.

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CONCLUSION

Making peace with your past in the Catholic faith involves acknowledging your experiences, seeking God’s forgiveness, forgiving yourself and others, embracing healing, and trusting in God’s providence.

These steps allow for the transformation of past pain into spiritual growth and freedom.

By following the example of Christ and seeking the grace of the sacraments, Catholics can experience true peace with their past and move forward into a future filled with hope and renewal.

25/08/2024

Ricordatevi sempre che,
ogni persona che passa nella nostra vita è unica, nel bene e nel male,
Lascia sempre un po' di se e si porta via un pò di noi.
Ci sarà chi si è portato via molto,
ma non ci sarà mai chi non avrà lasciato nulla.
Questa è la più grande responsabilità della nostra vita
e la prova evidente che due anime non si incontrano per caso...
Tutto ciò è per Opera di Dio.

(Padre Pio da Pietralcina )

25/08/2024

𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗬𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗦𝗦 𝗕𝗬 𝗦𝗧. 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗦

Almighty and ever-living God, I draw near to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

I come sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

So I ask you, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.

May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul's salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible sign of the Lord's Body and Blood, but also all the reality and the power of the sacrament.

Grant most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a loving part of his Mystical Body and counted among his members.

O most loving Father, grant me your beloved Son.

While on this earthly pilgrimage, I receive him under the veil of this sacrament; so may I come at last to see him face to face for all eternity. For he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.

24/08/2024

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25, 2024.
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Readings: Joshua 24: 1-2a, 15-17, 18b;
Psalm 34: 2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23;
Ephesians 5: 21-32;
John 6: 60-69

REFLECTION
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today’s readings and Gospel invite us to reflect deeply on our response to God’s generous love and invitation. Just as the Israelites affirmed their commitment to God after experiencing His provision in the desert, we too are called to respond to God’s goodness with whole-hearted faith and commitment (Joshua 24:15). When we partake in the Eucharist, we receive not just bread and wine, but the very Body and Blood of Jesus, who offers us eternal life (John 6:54). Like Peter, who acknowledged Jesus as the source of eternal life despite not fully understanding, we are called to trust in God’s plan for us (John 6:68).

St. Paul reminds us in Ephesians that our relationships, particularly within our families, should mirror the sacrificial love between Christ and the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Just as Jesus gave Himself completely for us, we are called to imitate His selfless love in our daily lives. This means loving our spouses, children, and neighbors with the same love with which Christ loves us—unconditionally and sacrificially. Our faith isn’t just about words or rituals, but about living out the Gospel in our actions, so that others may experience God’s goodness through us (John 13:35).

Let us therefore respond to God’s invitation with gratitude and love. As we approach the altar to receive the Eucharist, let us remember that we are called to be signs of hope, symbols of God’s love in the world. Through our faith-filled actions and selfless love, may we lead others to encounter the life-changing love of Jesus Christ, who alone offers us eternal life.

21/08/2024

Reflection for the Memorial of Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

GOD is truly gracious. GOD continues to invite us to be a part of the joyous feast that will be celebrated for all eternity. Not only does GOD offer us the opportunity to be a part of this unending party, but GOD is willing to provide all that we need to be ready for the celebration. All we need to do is to make the decision to say “yes” to GOD’s offer of joining the Reign. Yet, like people before us, we often make excuses why we will not accept GOD’s invitation. We would rather do our own thing than go along with GOD’s plan. GOD is still offering us a place in the divine Reign, all we need to do is respond affirmatively to the invitation.

May you continue to respond to the Lord Jesus’ invitation to be a part of the celebration of GOD’s Reign, not only in the future, but now.

19/08/2024

𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗶𝗼'𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗥𝘂𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲

Here are five habits St. Padre Pio believed all Catholics should practice, based on advice he gave to his spiritual children.

I. Weekly Confession
“Confession is the soul’s bath. You must go at least once a week. I do not want souls to stay away from confession more than a week. Even a clean and unoccupied room gathers dust; return after a week and you will see that it needs dusting again!”

II. Daily Communion
“It is quite true, we are not worthy of such a gift. However, to approach the Blessed Sacrament in a state of mortal sin is one thing, and to be unworthy is quite another. All of us are unworthy, but it is He who invites us. It is He who desires it. Let us humble ourselves and receive Him with a heart contrite and full of love.”

III. Examination of Conscience Every Evening
Someone once told Padre Pio that he thought a nightly examination of conscience was pointless because he knew what was sin as it was committed. To this, Padre Pio replied, “That is true enough. But every experienced merchant in this world not only keeps track throughout the day of whether he has lost or gained on each sale. In the evening, he does the bookkeeping for the day to determine what he should do on the morrow. It follows that it is indispensable to make a rigorous examination of conscience, brief but lucid, every night.”

IV. Daily Spiritual Reading
“The harm that comes to souls from the lack of reading holy books makes me shudder…. What power spiritual reading has to lead to a change of course, and to make even worldly people enter into the way of perfection.”

V. Mental Prayer Twice Daily
“If you do not succeed in meditating well, do not give up doing your duty. If the distractions are numerous, do not be discouraged; do the meditation of patience, and you will still profit. Decide upon the length of your meditation, and do not leave your place before finishing, even if you have to be crucified. Why do you worry so much because you do not know how to meditate as you would like? Meditation is a means to attaining God, but it is not a goal in itself. Meditation aims at the love of God and neighbor. Love God with all your soul without reserve, and love your neighbor as yourself, and you will have accomplished half of your meditation.”

18/08/2024

So how do we listen to the voice of God when we pray? Also how do we know that it's the voice of God speaking to us?

I hope to get some input from you guys especially from the long time and experienced prayer warriors. Thank you.

17/08/2024

*REFLECTION FOR TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME*

Today's readings teach us to "Taste and experience the Wisdom of the LORD." In the First Reading, Wisdom is like a woman who invites us to her table to eat and drink. She promises that if we accept her invitation and leave behind our foolish ways, we will gain understanding of God’s ways (Proverbs 9:1-6). The Psalm tells us that when we come to the LORD and praise Him, we will find joy and be free from distress (Psalm 34:2-3, 10-15). Paul’s letter to the Ephesians urges us to be filled with the Holy Spirit rather than getting drunk on wine, as the Spirit gives us true wisdom and understanding (Ephesians 5:15-20).

Jesus, in today’s Gospel, tells us that He is the true food and drink, His Body and Blood, which give us eternal life (John 6:51-58). Many people misunderstood Jesus, thinking He was talking about eating flesh and drinking blood in a literal sense. But Jesus wants us to understand that by accepting Him and His teachings, we are spiritually nourished. At the Last Supper, Jesus gave bread and wine to His disciples, transforming them into His Body and Blood, which we now receive in the Eucharist. This strengthens our faith and unites us with Jesus, His Father, and the Holy Spirit.

For Catholics, the Eucharist is a special time when we receive Jesus Himself in the form of bread and wine. This isn't just a symbol; it's a profound gift where we unite with Jesus and with each other as His followers. Through the Eucharist, Jesus feeds us spiritually and helps us understand His role in our lives and in our salvation. It's a way for us to grow closer to God and to each other as we journey together toward our heavenly home, where God, our Father, awaits us. In summary, the readings today teach us that God wants to nourish us with His wisdom and love. The Eucharist is a precious gift where Jesus gives Himself to us so that we can be strengthened in our faith and live in communion with Him and with one another. It's a reminder that God always offers us His best, and by receiving Him in the Eucharist, we grow in our relationship with Him and His Father, and with our fellow believers on our journey of faith.

17/08/2024

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗮 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

5 𝑺𝒕𝒆𝒑𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂 𝑮𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏

1. Examine your conscience – recall the sins that you have committed since your last good confession.

2. Be sincerely sorry for your sins. If you are having trouble with this, take time to meditate on Jesus suffering because of your sin.

3. Confess your sins to the priest.

4. Make certain that you confess all your mortal sins – number/kind.

5. After confession, do the penance assigned.

𝙀𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚

𝟭. 𝑰 𝒂𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒅. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒆.

✝️Do I give God time every day in prayer?
✝️Do I seek to love Him with my whole heart?
✝️Have I been involved with superstitious practices or have I been involved with the occult?
✝️Do I seek to surrender myself to God´s word as taught by the Church?
✝️Have I ever received communion in the state of mortal sin?
✝️Have I ever deliberately told a lie in Confession or have I withheld a mortal sin from the priest in Confession?
✝️Are there other "gods" in my life? Money, Security, Power, People, etc.?

𝟮. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒏.
✝️Have I used God´s name in vain: lightly or carelessly?
✝️Have I been angry with God?
✝️Have I wished evil upon any other person?
✝️Have I insulted a sacred person or abused a sacred object?

𝟯. 𝑹𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅´𝒔 𝑫𝒂𝒚.
✝️Did I miss Mass on any Sunday or Holyday of Obligation? (Bad weather and being sick do not count)
✝️Have I shown disrespect by leaving Mass early, not paying attention or not joining in the prayers? ✝️Did I do unnecessary work on Sunday which could have been done the day before?
✝️Have I been stingy in my support for the Church? ✝️Do I give of my time & talent?

𝟰. 𝑯𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.
✝️Do I honor and obey my parents?
✝️Have I neglected my duties to my spouse and children?
✝️Have I given my family good religious example?
✝️Do I try to bring peace into my home life?
✝️Do I care for my aged and infirm relatives?

𝟱. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒌𝒊𝒍𝒍.
✝️Have I had an abortion or encouraged or helped anyone to have an abortion?
✝️Have I physically harmed anyone?
✝️Have I abused alcohol or drugs?
✝️Did I give scandal to anyone, thereby leading him or her into sin?
✝️Have I been angry or resentful?
✝️Have I harbored hatred in my heart?
✝️Have I mutilated myself through any form of sterilization?
✝️Have I encouraged or condoned sterilization?
✝️Have I engaged, in any way, in sins against humanlife such as artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization?
✝️Have I participated in or approved of euthanasia?

𝟲. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕 𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚
✝️Have I been faithful to my marriage vows in thought and action?
✝️Have I engaged in any s*xual activity outside of marriage?
✝️Have I used any method of contraception or artificial birth control in my marriage?
✝️Has each s*xual act in my marriage been open to the transmission of new life?
✝️Have I been guilty of ma********on?
✝️Do I seek to control my thoughts and imaginations?
✝️Have I respected all members of the opposite s*x, or have I thought of other people as mere objects?
✝️Have I been guilty of any homos*xual activity?
✝️Do I seek to be chaste in my thoughts, words,actions?
✝️Am I careful to dress modestly?

𝟳. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒍.
✝️Have I stolen what is not mine?
✝️Have I returned or made restitution for what I have stolen?
✝️Do I waste time at work, school, and home?
✝️Do I gamble excessively, thereby denying my family of their needs?
✝️Do I pay my debts promptly?
✝️Do I seek to share what I have with the poor?
✝️Have I cheated anyone out of what is justly theirs, for example creditors, insurance companies, big corporations?

𝟴. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓´𝒔 𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒆.
✝️Have I consented to impure thoughts?
✝️Have I caused them by impure reading, movies, television, conversation or curiosity?
✝️Do I pray at once to banish impure thoughts and temptations?
✝️Have I behaved in an inappropriate way with members of the opposite s*x: flirting, being superficial, etc.?
✝️Do I view pornographic material (magazines, videos, internet, hot-lines)?
✝️Have I gone to massage parlors or adult book stores?

𝟵. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓´𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔
✝️Have I stolen any object, committed any shoplifting or cheated anyone of their money?
✝️Did I knowingly deceive someone in business or commit fraud?
✝️Have I shown disrespect or even contempt for other people’s property?
✝️Have I done any acts of vandalism?
✝️ Am I greedy or envious of another’s goods?
✝️Do I let financial and material concerns or the desire for comfort override my duty to God, to Church, to my family or my own spiritual well-being?

𝟭𝟬. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒓 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒏𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒃𝒐𝒓.
✝️Have I told a lie in order to deceive someone? ✝️Have I told the truth with the purpose and intention of ruining someone’s reputation (sin of detraction)?
✝️Have I told a lie or spread rumors which may ruin someone’s reputation (sin of calumny or slander)? ✝️Did I commit perjury by false swearing an oath on the Bible?
✝️Am I a busybody or do I love to spread gossip and secrets about others?
✝️Do I love to hear bad news about my enemies?
✝️Do I speak badly of others behind their back?
✝️Am I sincere in my dealings with others?
✝️Am I critical, negative or uncharitable in my thoughts of others?

𝐀 𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

1. You always have the option to go to confession anonymously, that is, behind a screen or face to face, if you so desire.

2. After the priest greets you in the name of Christ, make the sign of the cross. He may choose to recite a reading from Scripture, after which you say: "Bless me Father for I have sinned. It has been (state how long) since my last confession. These are my sins."

3. Tell your sins simply and honestly to the priest. You might even want to discuss the circumstances and the root causes of your sins and ask the priest for advice or direction.

4. Listen to the advice the priest gives you and accept the penance from him. Then make an Act of Contrition for your sins.

5. The priest will then dismiss you with the words of praise: "Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. You respond: "For His mercy endures forever." The priest will then conclude with:"The Lord has freed you from your sins. Go in peace." And you respond by saying: "Thanks be to God."

6. Spend some time with Our Lord thanking and praising Him for the gift of His mercy. Try to perform your penance as soon as possible.

𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

O most merciful God! Prostrate at your feet, I implore your forgiveness. I sincerely desire to leave all my evil ways and to confess my sins with all sincerity to you and to your priest. I am a sinner, have mercy on me, O Lord. Give me a lively faith and a firm hope in the Passion of my Redeemer. Give me, for your mercy´s sake a sorrow for having offended so good a God. Mary, my mother, refuge of sinners, pray for me that I may make a good confession. Amen.

𝐀𝐍 𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Oh my God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong
And failing to do good,
I have sinned against you
whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance,
to sin no more,
and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ
suffered and died for us.
In His name, my God, have mercy. Amen.

15/08/2024

14/08/2024

SOLEMNITY OF THE ASSUMPTION OF MARY

Today, we celebrate the Assumption of Mary into heaven, a beautiful truth of our faith that brings hope and joy. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken body and soul into heaven by God's grace, showing us that God honors and exalts those who are faithful to Him. Just as Mary said "Yes" to God's plan with her whole heart, we too are called to trust in God's promises and follow His will in our lives. Mary's Assumption reminds us that heaven is our ultimate home, where we will share in the glory of Christ if we live in love and obedience to Him. Let us look to Mary as an example of faith and hope, trusting that through her intercession, we too can one day rejoice with her and all the saints in the presence of God. Wishing you all a blessed and joyful celebration!