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Reflection for the 2nd Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF FEAR
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. As the love of God increases in the soul, the fear of God also increases. It is not a servile fear. It is not a fear that drives to service through hope of reward, or to penance through fear of punishment. It is an appreciation of God’s majesty and our own nothingness. The soul knows its weakness. It fears to fail in duty: to miss opportunity, to give offense to God. It fears it does not do enough, because it does so little. The more it loves, the more it fears the fuller coming of the overpowering love of God. It cannot bear it: yet it must possess it, or the soul will die.
As the Holy Spirit increases our knowledge of God, He purifies and deepens our sense of fear: till fearing with anxious love, we not only will not sin, but eagerly seek to love more fully.
Reflection for the 3rd Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF PIETY
Love would not warm us if we thought of God simply as our Creator. The first prayer is “Our Father, Who art in heaven.” We must learn to know God, to pray to Him, to trust Him as our Father, infinite in His daily providence, in His tenderness, in His intimate care.
We must be as frank with Him as with an earthly parent. In His presence must we live. As His children we must strive to cooperate with Him. Complaint, criticism, exception to His will, should have no part in us. Our fear is the fear of children who live in their Father’s house as their own.
That house is our soul. Therein He lives with us. By the gift of piety the Holy Spirit enables us to realize this.
Reflection for the 4th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
We never know even the simplest truth of created things unless we line up that truth with God. Our information is insufficient, unrelated to its own origin.
The evil and injustice of the world, untempered by faith in God, tend to cynicism and despair. The beauty and pleasure of the world, unenlightened by God, lead to lust and disappointment and death.
The universe is for us what we make it. Formed to the image and likeness of God, we also create for ourselves. To be willing and strong enough to take ourselves out of its lesser confines and place it in right relation to true knowledge is light and wisdom and peace.
To break the bars of what affection desires, pride craves, of what self seemingly cannot be happy without, to see always the first in the last, is, indeed, to be free.
But such a knowledge comes from God alone, because God alone is the true center, the one Creator. Through the Holy Spirit He created. The same Holy Spirit dwells in us, to give us that knowledge of created things and of God which is also the highest knowledge of self.
Reflection for the 5th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF COUNSEL
Many use every means to learn the future; they even sacrifice much peace of mind for it.
The future is God’s alone. He has reserved it for Himself. Piety leads us to abandon ourselves to God: to make self the instrument of His will: the agent of His glory. Thus is self fulfilled.
In the uncertainty of judgment, the conflict of interest, the warfare of emotion, the strife of duties, our soul yearns to know just what God would have us do: what God wishes us to decide. This is a daily need; a need that arises many times in the day.
The Holy Spirit awaits our attention. He is within. Thoughtful consultation with Him will bring the true answer. By habit we can become His faithful disciples and always know what it is the Lord would have us do.
Reflection for the 6th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF FORTITUDE
We realize clearly the vast difference between resolution and accomplishment. As an intention, the following of Christ is altogether inviting and comforting: as a practical, everyday life it is distasteful, difficult, uninviting. “This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.”
To have the courage, in the face of our own self and of the world, to follow that which we know God would have us do, requires a constant grace. This discipline of the will cannot be achieved except by the direct, abiding help of the Holy Spirit.
In this sense of our weakness lies our strength. Honesty with self drives us to Him. By the gift of fortitude He supplements our weak wills. He will remove that deadening content with pious thoughts: that satisfaction with devotions and external observances. Sacrifice is His inspiration, opportunity His call, the highest His appeal.
Thus through the Holy Spirit we can, not only in thought but in reality, make ourselves one with the active, the all-perfect Christ.
Reflection for the 7th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF UNDERSTANDING
The most efficient incentive to love is the esteem in which one is held by the beloved.
When we begin to know even slightly what God has done for us: to what divine partnership He has raised the soul: how He has ordered all things sweetly from beginning to end, we cannot but love more ardently and strive more valiantly.
The understanding of the mysteries of God’s purpose, hidden from the beginning, yet revealed to us, would overpower and confound, if unaccompanied by the supporting light of the Holy Spirit. Since they are revealed, we are obliged to ponder, to study, to understand. The mystery of the ever-adorable Trinity: of our creation and redemption in Jesus Christ: of our oneness with Him through the Holy Spirit: of the Food of which they that eat shall never hunger: of the Sacrifice of the Mass: of the universal motherhood of Our Lady— these are the solid meat which nourish the virile Christian life.
By the gift of understanding the Holy Spirit makes these intelligible, practical truths to us, that we, by some means, may apprehend wherein we also are apprehended by Christ Jesus.
Reflection for the 8th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE GIFT OF WISDOM
The very richnesses and treasures of God’s love cause the soul, at times, to draw back. God claims so much that He asks all. And that we are unwilling to give. His treasures are not bought save at a great price. The soul shrinks from paying it.
The nearer one draws to Him, the harder life becomes. The old peace passes. Suffering, misfortune seem to mark those who love God.
To be a faithful lover it is necessary not only to know: not only to understand, but to taste how sweet is the love of God. For what we have a liking, that we do. To love the word of God, and to trust it, to find therein our delight is wisdom. It is not the wisdom of our everyday world. Sense, time, passionate desire, limited but keen vision hold us back from such wisdom.
Only the Light of God Himself can show us that sense and desire and human sight will of themselves alone lead to darkness.
To see as God sees: to trust and delight in His love: to be joyful in Him and not simply in ourselves or creatures or created things, this is the supreme gift of the Holy Spirit, the gift of Wisdom.
Reflection for the 9th Day by Msgr., John J. Burke, CSP (1875-1936)
THE SANCTIFIER
O Holy Spirit, I wish not to forget the Giver, in thinking of the gifts.
Thou didst decree in the silent will of God, and all things were created. Invisibly, Thou didst overshadow the Virgin Mary, and Christ, the Son of God, our Redeemer, was conceived.
In tongues of flame Thou camest upon the Apostles, and Thy Church was brought forth, and lives.
In the soul of every faithful one. Thou dost begin, Thou dost complete the work of sanctification.
Ceaselessly art Thou building up, through men, the Christ, and fulfilling the glory of the Father. Love labors for that which it loves.
To Thee I owe every inspiration, every good deed accomplished, every help I have been to others, every ray that I will add to the glory of God.
To ears that are open, Thou speakest: to eyes watchful, Thou revealest: to hands ready. Thou givest power. Thou dost inform me: possess me. Every day will I be attentive to Thy voice.
I will fear Thy presence, yet abide therein with reverence and with trust. I will seek Thy will and the strength from Thee to carry it into action. I will know myself as part of Thy creation: and study Thy mysteries as the revelation of Thy purpose.
I will love Thee as my wisdom, knowing that Thou wilt build me up, incorporate me into Him, the Perfect Man, my God and my Savior, Jesus Christ.
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Pentecost – May 31, 2020:
Our previously recorded Masses can be found here: Facebook Live Videos
PRAYER OF RENEWAL OF OUR CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
May 1, 2020
Most Holy Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church,
you are the fairest fruit of God’s redeeming love;
you sing of the Father’s mercy
and accompany us with a mother’s love.
In this time of pandemic we come to you,
our sign of sure hope and comfort.
Today we renew the act of consecration and entrustment carried out by those who have gone before us.
With the love of a Mother and Handmaid,
embrace our nation which we entrust and consecrate once again to you,
together with ourselves and our families.
With the love of a Mother and Handmaid,
embrace this diocese which we entrust and consecrate once again to you,
together with ourselves and our families.
With the love of a Mother and Handmaid,
embrace this parish which we entrust and consecrate once again to you,
together with ourselves and our families.
With the love of a Mother and Handmaid,
embrace us as we renew our consecration to you,
together with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
In a special way we commend to you
those particularly in need of your maternal care.
Mary, Health of the Sick,
sign of health, of healing, and of divine hope for the sick,
we entrust to you all who are infected with the coronavirus.
Mary, Mother of Consolation,
who console with a mother’s love all who turn to you,
we entrust to you all those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.
Mary, Help of Christians,
who come to our rescue in every trial,
we entrust to your loving protection all caregivers.
Mary, Queen and Mother of Mercy,
who embrace all those who call upon your help in their distress,
we entrust to you all who are suffering in any way from the pandemic.
Mary, Seat of Wisdom,
who were so wonderfully filled with the light of truth,
we entrust to you all who are working to find a cure to this pandemic.
Mary, Mother of Good Counsel,
who gave yourself wholeheartedly to God’s plan for the renewing of all things in Christ, we entrust to you all leaders and policymakers.
Accept with the benevolence of a Mother
the act of consecration that we make today with confidence,
and help us to be your Son’s instruments
for the healing and salvation of our country and the world.
Mary, Mother of the Church,
you are enthroned as queen at your Son’s right hand:
we ask your intercession for the needs of our country,
that every desire for good may be blessed and strengthened,
that faith may be revived and nourished,
hope sustained and enlightened,
charity awakened and animated;
guide us, we pray, along the path of holiness.
Mary our Mother,
bring everyone under your protection
and entrust everyone to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
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In this challenging and threatening time of pandemic, please read the latest Pastoral Letter from Bishop Richard Stika at:
PRAYER OF POPE FRANCIS TO MARY, HEALTH OF THE SICK:
O Mary, you shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick.
At the foot of the Cross you participated in Jesus’ pain,
with steadfast faith.
You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need.
We are certain that you will provide, so that,
as you did at Cana of Galilee,
joy and feasting might return after this moment of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love,
to conform ourselves to the Father’s will
and to do what Jesus tells us:
He who took our sufferings upon Himself, and bore our sorrows to bring us,
through the Cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen.
We seek refuge under your protection, O Holy Mother of God.
Do not despise our pleas – we who are put to the test – and deliver us from every danger,
O glorious and blessed Virgin.
