Joining God in Penance and Suffering

Some words from St. Teresa Benedicta:

Only someone whose spiritual eyes have been opened to the supernatural correlations of worldly events can desire suffering in expiation, and this is only possible for people in whom the spirit of Christ dwells, who as members are given life by the Head, receive his power, his meaning, and his direction. Conversely, works of expiation bind one closer to Christ, as every community that works together on one task becomes more and more closely knit and as the limbs of a body, working together organically, continually become more strongly one.

But because being one with Christ is our sanctity, and progressively becoming one with him our happiness on earth, the love of the cross in no way contradicts being a joyful child of God. Helping Christ carry his cross fills one with a strong and pure joy, and those who may and can do so, the builders of God’s kingdom, are the most authentic children of God. And so those who have a predilection for the way of the cross by no means deny that Good Friday is past and that the work of salvation has been accomplished. Only those who are saved, only children of grace, can in fact be bearers of Christ’s cross. Only in union with the divine Head does human suffering take on expiatory power.

To suffer and to be happy although suffering, to have one’s feet on the earth, to walk on the dirty and rough paths of this earth and yet to be enthroned with Christ at the Father’s right hand, to laugh and cry with the children of this world and ceaselessly to sing the praises of God with the choirs of angels this is the life of the Christian until the morning of eternity breaks forth.

Penance: A Mighty Weapon in Time of War

 From Mind and Spirit:

Fr. Zeller reminds us that there have been many entreaties for public penance in “our own time,” by way of various crises, and by direct pleas from the Pope and Our Blessed Mother. As I rested in my recliner, reading this tiny book that came to me unbidden, I was amazed by these timely words, “God uses natural means to bring about His supernatural plan, and it looks very much as if the world has been asking for punishment.” It’s not absurd to think of God punishing the world, “He’s done it before, with much the same sword. Threats of war, famine, social and economic collapse,” natural disasters, deadly plagues, and closed churches. These trials will often bring the world temporarily to its knees. 

Penance is not limited to a particular liturgical season. It is also not limited to inside of our churches, or in our homes. As a matter of fact, Fr. Zeller urges public penance. “If we listen, he says, ‘we will hear the refrain repeated time and time again…, but we do not listen. We are still dancing on the shore with our backs to the waves.’”

It is time to take formidable action, but what can we, as individuals or families do? Begin by “listening;” turn around, face the mighty waves crashing upon the shore, the waves of abortion, the breakdown of the family, the loss of society’s moral conscience, so-called Christian politicians supporting laws atrocious to God’s commands and designs, shocking sinfulness and hate and lack of Christian charity on every front. God will use His sword of punishment, if we do not unsheathe our weapons now—our mighty swords of penance! 

For those of us needing a refresher course in penance, I provide the following for your assistance as you arm yourself for battle. Penance is a three-pronged weapon, forged of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving. These three elements express conversion in relation to oneself, to God, and to others. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that “efforts at reconciliation with one’s neighbor, tears of repentance, and the practice of charity… ‘covers a multitude of sins’ (James 5:20). Conversion is accomplished in daily life by…concern for the poor, the exercise and defense of justice and right, the admission of faults…, fraternal correction, examination of conscience, (joyful) acceptance of suffering, and endurance of persecution for the sake of righteousness. Taking up one’s cross each day and following Jesus is the surest way of penance.” (CCC, paragraphs 1434-1435) (Read more.)

A Summary of Catholic Doctrine

From The Meaning of Catholic:

Duties of your state in Life

Duties of the supernatural order: give glory to God by saving your soul; maintain your soul in a state of grace by frequenting the sacraments and fulfilling the six precepts of the Church and the Ten Commandments; overcome sin and grow in virtue; die in a state of grace.

Duties the married:
Mutual duties: mutual love of affection and service; life in common; rendering the marital debt when it is reasonably requested
Husband duties: head and protector of his family to guide his wife and children; duty to provide enough for wife to stay home and children to have proper care; to administer family property wisely.
Wife duties: show due obedience to her husband; to properly care for education of children and the home; holds the right to not be forced to work. She has a right to stay home since the children have a right to their mother full time. Grave cause may force also a mother to work if serious financial or other reasons make it truly necessary.
Children duties: show parents love, reverence, and obedience

Duties at the workplace:
Employer duties: treat employees with kindness; instruct and correct employees; provide for religious observance; pay a just wage to allow a man’s wife to care for the children at home.
Employee duties: due obedience and reverence; faithful service by never stealing employer’s time with personal matters.

(Read more.)

The Story God is Telling at the Present Time

 From A Catholic Reader:

The Christian view, in sharp counter-distinction to either of those I just mentioned, is that we already know the overall outline of all human history, and it is bound and controlled not by human effort or ingenuity but by its Author, the Divine Logos. It is the story told in the Bible, with a beginning, a middle, and an end, all conceived and written by God Himself from the beginning of Time.

The point we need to grasp today is that the birth of the Christian Church at Pentecost marks the beginning of the end of the story. Christ's Crucifixion and the salvation of souls effected by it was the climax of the Story, and everything after that is denouement or resolution. We are reluctant to recognize this, because it means our lives play out in the last chapter. In other words, in a very real sense you and I and every Christian who ever lived or ever shall live are in the End Times. As minor characters in the final chapter of a Story that is already complete in the mind of God, our role as followers of Christ entrusted with the mission of spreading the Gospel is not to "sing a new Church into being" (as one particularly heretical modern hymn enjoins) but to tell the Story and prepare the world for the very End of the Age. We should be eager to do so, because those of us who play our parts well will get to appear in the sequel, the Never-ending Story of the life of the world to come. (Read more.)

Novena to the Holy Face

For the nine days before Shrove Tuesday.

O Most Holy and Blessed Trinity, through the intercession of Holy Mary, whose soul was pierced through by a sword of sorrow at the sight of the passion of her Divine Son, we ask Thy help in making a perfect Novena of reparation with Jesus, united with all His sorrows, love and total abandonment. We now implore all the Angels and Saints to intercede for us as we pray this Holy Novena to the Most Holy Face of Jesus and for the glory of the most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen. (Start novena)

"All those who, attracted by my love, and venerating my countenance, shall receive, by virtue of my humanity, a brilliant and vivid impression of my divinity. This splendor shall enlighten the depths of their souls, so that in eternal glory the celestial court shall marvel at the marked likeness of their features with my divine countenance." (Our Lord Jesus Christ to St. Gertrude)

First Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 3-4.Have mercy on me, O God in Thy goodness, in Thy great tenderness wipe away my faults;wash me clean of my guilt, purify me from my sin.O most Holy Face of Jesus, look with tenderness on us who are sinners. Thou art a merciful God, full of love and compassion. Keep us pure of heart, so that we may see Thee always. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us; Saint Joseph, pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to Our Almighty Father Almighty Father, come into our hearts, and so fill us with Thy love that forsaking all evil desires, we may embrace Thee, our only good. Show us, O Lord our God, what thou art to us. Say to our souls, I am Thy salvation, speak so that we may hear. Our hearts are before Thee; open our ears; let us hasten after Thy voice. Hide not Thy Face from us, we beseech Thee, O Lord. Open our hearts so that Thou mayest enter in. Repair the ruined mansions, that Thou mayest dwell therein. Hear us, O Heavenly Father, for the sake of Thine only Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever Amen.(St. Augustine)Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be, O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Second Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer)Psalm 51, 5-6a. My offenses truly I know them; My sin is always before me. Against Thou, Thou alone, have I sinned;What is evil in Thy sight I have done.Most Holy Face of Jesus, we are truly sorry that we have hurt Thee so much by constantly doing what is wrong; and for all the good works we have failed to do. Immaculate Heart of Mary, Saint Joseph, intercede for us, help us to console the Most Holy Face of Jesus. Pray that we may share in the tremendous love Thou hast for one another, and for the most Holy and Blessed Trinity. Amen.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit Come, Holy Spirit, Sanctifier, all powerful God of love, Thou who didst fill the Virgin Mary with grace, Thou who didst wonderfully transform the hearts of the apostles, Thou who didst endow all Thy martyrs with a miraculous heroism, come and sanctify us, illumine our minds, strengthen our wills, purify our consciences, rectify our judgments, set our hearts on fire and preserve us from the misfortune of resisting Thine inspirations. We consecrate to Thee our understanding, our heart and our will, our whole being for time and for eternity. May our understanding be always submissive to Thy heavenly inspirations and to the teachings of Thy Holy Catholic Church, of which Thou art the infallible guide; may our heart be ever inflamed with love of God and neighbor; may our will be ever conformed to the divine will, and may our whole life be a faithful imitation of the life and virtues of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, to whom with the Father and Thee be honor and glory forever. Amen. Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be.O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Third Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 6b-7.Thou art just when Thou passest sentence on me, blameless when Thou givest judgment. Thou knowest I was born guilty, a sinner from the moment of conception.

Prayer of Pope Pius IX O Jesus! Cast upon us a look of mercy; turn Thy Face towards each of us as Thou didst to Veronica; not that we may see it with our bodily eyes, for this we do not deserve, but turn it towards our hearts, so that, remembering Thee, we may ever draw from this fountain of strength the vigor necessary to sustain the combats of life. Amen. Mary, Our Mother, and Saint Joseph, pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petitions, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer of Saint Francis All highest, glorious God, cast Thy light into the darkness of our hearts, give us true faith, firm hope, perfect charity and profound humility, so that with wisdom, courage and perception, O Lord, we may do what is truly Thy holy will. Amen.

To the Angels and Saints We salute Thee, through the Holy Face and Sacred Heart of Jesus, O all you Holy Angels and Saints of God. We rejoice in your glory, and we give thanks to our Lord for all the benefits which He has showered upon you; we praise Him and glorify Him, and offer you for an increase of your joy and honor, the most Holy Face and gentle Heart of Jesus. Pray that we may become formed according to the heart of God. Amen.Pray (1) Our Father, three (3) Hail Mary's, one (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times.)

Fourth Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 8-9.Indeed Thou lovest truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me Wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.O Lord Jesus, who has said, learn of me for I am meek and gentle of heart, and who did manifest upon Thy Holy Face the sentiments of Thy divine heart, grant that we may love to come frequently and meditate upon Thy divine features. We may read there Thy gentleness and Thy humility, and learn how to form our hearts in the practice of these two virtues which Thou desires to see shine in Thy servants. Mary our Mother and Saint Joseph help us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer in Honor of the Dolors of the Blessed Virgin O Most Holy and afflicted Virgin, Queen of Martyrs! Who stood beneath the cross, witnessing the agony of Thy dying Son, look down with a mother's tenderness and pity on us as we kneel before Thee to venerate Thy Dolors, and place our requests, with filial confidence, in the sanctuary of Thy wounded heart. Present them on our behalf to Jesus, through the merits of His most sacred Passion and Death, together with Thy sufferings at the foot of the cross, and through the united efficacy of both, obtain the favor which we humbly ask. To whom shall we go in our wants and miseries if not to Thee. O Mother of Mercy, who having so deeply drunk of the chalice of Thy Son, graciously alleviate the sufferings of those who still sigh in this land of exile. Amen.

Prayer to the Souls in Purgatory My Jesus, by the sorrows Thou suffered in Thine agony in the garden, in Thy scourging and crowning with thorns, in the way to Calvary, in Thy crucifixion and death, have mercy on the souls in Purgatory, and especially on those that are most forsaken. Deliver them from the dire torments they endure. Call them and admit them to Thy most sweet embrace in Paradise. Amen. Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Fifth Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 5 1, 10-11.Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones Thou hast crushed may revive. From my sins turn away Thy Face, and blot out all my guilt.Holy Face of Jesus, Sacred Countenance of God, how great is Thy patience with humankind, how infinite Thy forgiveness. We are sinners, yet Thou lovest us. This gives us courage. For the glory of Thy Holy Face and of the Blessed Trinity, hear and answer us. Mary our Mother, intercede for us, Saint Joseph, pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to Saint Joseph Dear Saint Joseph! Adopt us as Thy children, take charge of our salvation; watch over us day and night; preserve us from occasions of sin; obtain for us purity of body and soul, and the spirit of prayer, through Thy intercession with Jesus, grant us a spirit of sacrifice, of humility and self-denial; obtain for us a burning love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and a sweet, tender love for Mary, our Mother.Saint Joseph, be with us in life, be with us in death and obtain for us a favorable judgment from Jesus, our merciful Savior. Amen.Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Sixth Day(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 12-13.A pure heart create for us O God, put a steadfast spirit within us. Do not cast us away from Thy presence nor deprive us of Thy Holy Spirit.May our hearts be cleansed, O Lord, by the inpouring of the Holy Spirit, and may He render them fruitful by watering them with His heavenly dew, Mary, the most chaste spouse of the Holy Spirit, intercede for us, Saint Joseph pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel O Victorious Prince, most humble guardian of the Church of God and of faithful souls, who with such charity and zeal took part in so many conflicts and gained such great victories over the enemy, for the conservation and protection of the honor and glory we all owe to God, as well as for the promotion of our salvation, come, we pray Thee, to our assistance, for we are continually besieged with such great perils by our enemies, the flesh, the world and the devil; and as Thou wast a leader for the people of God through the desert, so also be our faithful leader, and companion through the desert of this world, until Thou conduct us safely into the happy land of the living, in that blessed fatherland from which we are all exiles. Amen. (St. Aloysius) Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Seventh Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 14-15.Give me again the joy of Thy help, with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors Thy ways and sinners may return to Thee.Lord Jesus! After contemplating Thy features, disfigured by grief, after meditating upon Thy passion with compunction and love, how can our hearts fail to be inflamed with a holy hatred of sin, which even now outrages Thy Adorable Face! Lord, suffer us not to be content with mere compassion, but give us grace so closely to follow Thee in this Calvary, so that the opprobrium destined for Thee may fall on us, O Jesus, that thus we may have a share, small though it may be, in expiation of sin. Amen. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us, Saint Joseph pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer in Honor of Mary Hail Mary, Daughter of God the Father! Hail Mary, Mother of God the Son! Hail Mary, Spouse of the Holy Spirit! Hail Mary, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity! Hail Mary, our mistress, our wealth, our mystic rose, Queen of our hearts, our Mother, our life, our sweetness and our dearest hope! We are all Thine, and all we have is Thine. O Virgin blessed above all things, may Thy soul be in us to magnify the Lord; may Thy spirit be in us to rejoice in God. Place Thyself, O faithful Virgin, as a seal upon our hearts, that in Thee and through Thee we may be found faithful to God. Grant, most gracious Virgin, that we may be numbered among those whom Thou art pleased to love, to teach and to guide, to favor and to protect as Thy children. Grant that with the help of Thy love, we may despise all earthly consolation and cling to heavenly things, until through the Holy Spirit, Thy faithful spouse, and through Thee, His faithful spouse, Jesus Christ, Thy Son, be formed within us for the glory of the Father. Amen. (St. Grignon de Montfort) Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Eighth Day(Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 16-17.O rescue me, God my helper, and my tongue shall ring out Thy goodness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.Most merciful Face of Jesus, who in this vale of tears was so moved by our misfortunes to call Thyself the healer of the sick, and the good Shepherd of the souls gone astray, allow not Satan to draw us away from Thee, but keep us always under Thy loving protection, together with all souls who endeavor to console Thee. Mary, our Mother, intercede for us, Saint Joseph, pray for us.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to Saint Peter O glorious Saint Peter, who in return for Thy lively and generous faith, Thy profound and sincere humility and Thy burning love, was honored by Jesus Christ with singular privileges, and in particular, with the leadership of the other apostles and the primacy of the whole church, of which thou was made the foundation stone, do thou obtain for us the grace of a lively faith, that shall not fear to profess itself openly in its entirety and in all of its manifestations, even to the shedding of blood, if occasion should demand it, and to the sacrifice of life itself in preference to surrender. Obtain for us likewise a sincere loyalty to our Holy Mother the Church. Grant that we may ever remain most closely and sincerely united to the Holy Father, who is the heir of Thy faith and of Thy authority, the one true visible head of the Catholic Church. Grant, moreover, that we may follow, in all humility and meekness, the Church?s teaching and counsels and may be obedient to all her precepts, in order to be able here on earth to enjoy a peace that is sure and undisturbed, and to attain one day in heaven to everlasting happiness. Amen.Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Ninth Day (Console Holy Face and recite Daily Preparatory Prayer) Psalm 51, 18-21.For in sacrifice Thou takest no delight, burnt offering from me Thou wouldst refuse, my sacrifice a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart Thou wilt not spurn. In Thy goodness, show favor to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem Then Thou wilt be pleased with lawful sacrifice, holocausts offered on Thine altar,Sacred Face of our Lord and our God, what words can we do to express our gratitude? How can we speak of our joy? That Thou hast deigned to hear us, that Thou hast chosen to answer us in our hour of need. We say this because we know that our prayers will be granted. We know that Thou, in Thy loving kindness, listened to our pleading hearts, and will give, out of Thy fullness, the answer to our problems. Mary, our Mother, thank you for Thy intercession on our behalf. Saint Joseph, thank you for your prayers.Through the merits of Thy precious blood and Thy Holy Face, O Jesus, grant us our petition, Pardon and Mercy.

Prayer to the Holy Trinity Most Holy Trinity, Godhead indivisible, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, our first beginning and our last end. Since Thou hast made us after Thine own image and likeness, grant that all the thoughts of our minds, all the words of our tongues, all the affections of our hearts and all our actions may be always conformed to Thy most Holy Will, so that after having seen Thee here on earth in appearances and in a dark manner by the means of faith, we may come at last to contemplate Thee face to face, in the perfect possession of Thee forever in paradise. Amen.Pray one (1) Our Father, (3) Hail Mary's, (1) Glory Be. O Bleeding Face, O Face Divine, be every adoration Thine. (Three times)

Act of Consecration O Lord Jesus, we believe most firmly in Thee, we love Thee. Thou art the Eternal Son of God and the Son Incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Thou art the Lord and Absolute Ruler of all creation. We acknowledge Thee, therefore, as the Universal Sovereign of all creatures. Thou art the Lord and Supreme Ruler of all mankind, and we, in acknowledging this Thy dominion, consecrate ourselves to Thee now and forever. Loving Jesus, we place our family under the protection of Thy Holy Face, and of Thy Virgin Mother, Mary most sorrowful. We promise to be faithful to Thee for the rest of our lives and to observe with fidelity Thy Holy Commandments, We will never deny before men, Thee and Thy Divine rights over us and all mankind. Grant us the grace to never sin again; nevertheless, should we fail, O Divine Savior, have mercy on us and restore us to Thy grace. Radiate Thy Divine Countenance upon us and bless us now and forever. Embrace us at the hour of death in Thy Kingdom for all eternity, through the intercession of Thy Blessed Mother, of all Thy Saints who behold Thee in Heaven, and the just who glorify Thee on earth, O Jesus, be mindful of us forever and never forsake us; protect our family. O Mother of Sorrows, by the eternal glory which Thou enjoyest in Heaven, through the merits of Thy bitter anguish in the Sacred Passion of Thy Beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for us the grace that the Precious Blood shed by Jesus for the redemption of our souls, be not shed for us in vain. We love Thee, O Mary. Embrace us and bless us, O Mother. Protect us in life and in death. Amen.Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.