SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT: Father Jeffery Fasching
April 14th, 2013 Second Sunday after Easter
Epistle: 1 Pet. 2: 21-25
Gospel: Jn. 10: 11-16
Mass schedule April 15th through April 19th
Monday: Feria of Paschaltide—No Latin Mass
Tuesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Wednesday: Feria of Paschaltide
Thursday: Feria of Paschaltide
Friday: Feria of Paschaltide
The next pot-luck dinner will be held on Sunday, April 21st immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the school cafeteria.
We must receive the Sacraments with the proper dispositions if we want to obtain God’s grace. We must acquire a true horror of sin. We must gladly use all the means necessary that God offers us to avoid relapsing into sin. Many people are receiving Holy Communion and relapsing right back into serious sin. Many go to Confession one day, and the next fall again into the same sins! These people who confess without contrition and detestation of their sins will have no power over the enemy! Many go to Confession unprepared. They don’t feel the proper repentance. They don’t have a true resolution of not sinning again! Instead of fighting against the devil, they are taking his side!
We must obey the promptings of grace. We must always pray, pray and then pray some more. We must receive the Sacraments with the right dispositions. We must remain faithful to the end. Saint Matthew says: “He that shall persevere to the end shall be saved!”
In Christ,
Father Jeffery Fasching
Prayers at the Foot of the Altar
Showing posts with label devil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devil. Show all posts
Friday, April 12, 2013
Friday, August 31, 2012
Bulletin 117
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
September 2, 2012; 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Gal. 5:16-24; Gospel: Mt. 6:24-33
Mass Schedule September 3rd through September 7th
Monday –Saint Pius X, Pope & Confessor-- NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass +Mr. Xavier
Wednesday-Saint Lawrence Justinian, Bishop & Confessor
Thursday-Feria
Friday-Sacred Heart of Jesus
There will be a Potluck dinner Sunday, September 9th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the Saint Agnes school cafeteria. All are invited.
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
We should pray the rosary for the intention of making sacrifices in order to save sinners and ourselves from hell. What are the sufferings of the damned? What is the nature of the pain of sense? Theology has traditionally distinguished two kinds of torment suffered by the damned, the pain of loss and the pain of sense. Both are exemplified in the words which Christ will speak to the damned at the general judgment: “Depart from me (pain of loss), you condemned, into that everlasting fire (pain of sense), prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25.41).
The pain of loss is the intense suffering experienced by the damned because of their eternal separation from God. We can explain it in this fashion. God has given the human person, as a rational creature, a radical craving for unlimited goodness, beauty, love, and life, and the happiness that their possession would bring. But these goods can be found only in God. He alone is the fullness and the source of all goodness, beauty, love, life, and of all beatitude. To reject God is to close oneself off from these riches and to condemn oneself to the pain of a deep-seated craving that can never be satisfied. Think of a drug addict who cannot get the drug he craves. Only one who has known the torment of such unsatisfied craving can have any idea of how painful can be the frustration of a deep human longing. But nothing can compare to the need that the human person has for God, and nothing can equal the pain that comes from losing Him.
The pain of sense is the suffering experienced by the damned expressed in the worlds, “Depart from me you condemned, into that everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” The image of fire is found frequently in both the Old and the New Testament to describe the pains of hell. Traditional theology has understood scriptural hell fire to be an element analogous to material fire that would have the capacity to inflict pain not only upon material bodies, but also upon pure spirits. It understood this element to be extrinsic to the human person and to be inflicted by God as vindictive punishment. In this understanding, God’s justice requires that the sinner who has disobeyed God in seeking disordered pleasure from creatures must suffer punishment in proportion to the offense.
In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
September 2, 2012; 14th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Gal. 5:16-24; Gospel: Mt. 6:24-33
Mass Schedule September 3rd through September 7th
Monday –Saint Pius X, Pope & Confessor-- NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Requiem Mass +Mr. Xavier
Wednesday-Saint Lawrence Justinian, Bishop & Confessor
Thursday-Feria
Friday-Sacred Heart of Jesus
There will be a Potluck dinner Sunday, September 9th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the Saint Agnes school cafeteria. All are invited.
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
We should pray the rosary for the intention of making sacrifices in order to save sinners and ourselves from hell. What are the sufferings of the damned? What is the nature of the pain of sense? Theology has traditionally distinguished two kinds of torment suffered by the damned, the pain of loss and the pain of sense. Both are exemplified in the words which Christ will speak to the damned at the general judgment: “Depart from me (pain of loss), you condemned, into that everlasting fire (pain of sense), prepared for the devil and his angels” (Mt 25.41).
The pain of loss is the intense suffering experienced by the damned because of their eternal separation from God. We can explain it in this fashion. God has given the human person, as a rational creature, a radical craving for unlimited goodness, beauty, love, and life, and the happiness that their possession would bring. But these goods can be found only in God. He alone is the fullness and the source of all goodness, beauty, love, life, and of all beatitude. To reject God is to close oneself off from these riches and to condemn oneself to the pain of a deep-seated craving that can never be satisfied. Think of a drug addict who cannot get the drug he craves. Only one who has known the torment of such unsatisfied craving can have any idea of how painful can be the frustration of a deep human longing. But nothing can compare to the need that the human person has for God, and nothing can equal the pain that comes from losing Him.
The pain of sense is the suffering experienced by the damned expressed in the worlds, “Depart from me you condemned, into that everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” The image of fire is found frequently in both the Old and the New Testament to describe the pains of hell. Traditional theology has understood scriptural hell fire to be an element analogous to material fire that would have the capacity to inflict pain not only upon material bodies, but also upon pure spirits. It understood this element to be extrinsic to the human person and to be inflicted by God as vindictive punishment. In this understanding, God’s justice requires that the sinner who has disobeyed God in seeking disordered pleasure from creatures must suffer punishment in proportion to the offense.
In Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Bulletin 116
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
August 26th, 2012; 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Gal. 3:16-22; Gospel: Lk. 17:11-19
Mass Schedule August 27th through August 31st
Monday –Saint Joseph Calasance, Confessor-- NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Augustine, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Wednesday-Beheading of John the Baptist
Thursday-Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
Friday-Requiem Mass + David Anderson
There will be a Potluck dinner Sunday, September 9th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the Saint Agnes school cafeteria. All are invited.
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
We should pray the rosary for the intention of making sacrifices in order to save sinners and ourselves from hell. The Magisterium has always taught the reality and eternity of hell. If God is merciful and if the human person is free, and thus capable of change, why must hell be eternal? We must not imagine that the damned piteously plea for God to accept their repentance and that He refuses to do so because they failed to meet a deadline that God arbitrarily set. If they are in hell forever it is because they refuse to repent and, indeed, given their choice to be who they are, they cannot repent. They do not wish to repent because they have freely chosen to make themselves and their will, not God and His will, the absolute value of their existence. Instead of embracing the infinite goodness and richness that is God, they have elected the barrenness which is themselves apart from God. It is not God who first rejects the damned, it is they who reject God, and they continue to reject Him. If God should offer the damned all the joys of heaven as a reward for sincere repentance, they would say, “I would rather be damned than submit to you.” Their will is totally, firmly, and irrevocably fixed upon themselves and against God. Having excluded God completely from their existence, they lack the principle from which conversion could take its origin; that is, reverence and love for God and a willingness to obey Him.
Let us pray for the conversion of sinners through the Holy Rosary!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
August 26th, 2012; 13th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Gal. 3:16-22; Gospel: Lk. 17:11-19
Mass Schedule August 27th through August 31st
Monday –Saint Joseph Calasance, Confessor-- NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Augustine, Bishop, Confessor & Doctor
Wednesday-Beheading of John the Baptist
Thursday-Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin
Friday-Requiem Mass + David Anderson
There will be a Potluck dinner Sunday, September 9th immediately following the 2:30pm Mass in the Saint Agnes school cafeteria. All are invited.
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
We should pray the rosary for the intention of making sacrifices in order to save sinners and ourselves from hell. The Magisterium has always taught the reality and eternity of hell. If God is merciful and if the human person is free, and thus capable of change, why must hell be eternal? We must not imagine that the damned piteously plea for God to accept their repentance and that He refuses to do so because they failed to meet a deadline that God arbitrarily set. If they are in hell forever it is because they refuse to repent and, indeed, given their choice to be who they are, they cannot repent. They do not wish to repent because they have freely chosen to make themselves and their will, not God and His will, the absolute value of their existence. Instead of embracing the infinite goodness and richness that is God, they have elected the barrenness which is themselves apart from God. It is not God who first rejects the damned, it is they who reject God, and they continue to reject Him. If God should offer the damned all the joys of heaven as a reward for sincere repentance, they would say, “I would rather be damned than submit to you.” Their will is totally, firmly, and irrevocably fixed upon themselves and against God. Having excluded God completely from their existence, they lack the principle from which conversion could take its origin; that is, reverence and love for God and a willingness to obey Him.
Let us pray for the conversion of sinners through the Holy Rosary!
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
Friday, August 17, 2012
Bulletin 115
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
August 19th, 2012; 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: II Cor. 3:4-9; Gospel: Lk. 10:23-27
Mass Schedule August 20th through August 24th
Monday –Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor--NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow
Wednesday-Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thursday-Saint Philip Benizi, Confessor
Friday-Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
Many saints have had mystical experiences of hell. One well know account is contained in the report on the Fatima apparitions which Lucia Santos, one of the seers of Fatima, submitted to Dom Jose, bishop of Leiria, on 31 August 1941. Lucia writes that during the apparition of 13 July 1917, Our Lady gave the three children a momentary glimpse of hell to encourage them to pray for sinners.
After the vision ended, Our Lady urged the children to pray and offer many sacrifices to save sinners from hell. The Holy Rosary is a most powerful means to do so! It is a weapon to combat evil. It is a powerful means of obtaining Christian perfection and graces from God.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeffery Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
August 19th, 2012; 12th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: II Cor. 3:4-9; Gospel: Lk. 10:23-27
Mass Schedule August 20th through August 24th
Monday –Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, Abbot and Doctor--NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Widow
Wednesday-Immaculate Heart of Mary
Thursday-Saint Philip Benizi, Confessor
Friday-Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
The best reasons for praying the Holy Rosary are the following:
1) For world peace… “Say the Rosary every day to obtain peace for the world.” (Our Lady of Fatima, 1917). The Popes have highly recommended the Rosary to promote peace throughout the world.
2) A means for preserving the home…”There is no surer means of calling down God’s blessings upon the family…than the daily recitation of the Rosary”… Pope Pius XII
3) For courage in the hardships of life …”a powerful means of renewing our courage will undoubtedly be found in the Holy Rosary”…Pope Leo XIII
4) As a ready and easy means of preserving the faith…”We have elsewhere brought it to the attention of the devout Christian that not least among the advantages of the Rosary is the ready means it puts in his hands to nurture his faith, and to keep him from ignorance of his religion and the danger of error”…Pope Leo XIII
Many saints have had mystical experiences of hell. One well know account is contained in the report on the Fatima apparitions which Lucia Santos, one of the seers of Fatima, submitted to Dom Jose, bishop of Leiria, on 31 August 1941. Lucia writes that during the apparition of 13 July 1917, Our Lady gave the three children a momentary glimpse of hell to encourage them to pray for sinners.
After the vision ended, Our Lady urged the children to pray and offer many sacrifices to save sinners from hell. The Holy Rosary is a most powerful means to do so! It is a weapon to combat evil. It is a powerful means of obtaining Christian perfection and graces from God.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeffery Fasching
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Bulletin 110
SAINT AGNES CATHEDRAL 533 South Jefferson Springfield, MO 65806
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
July 8th, 2012; 6th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Rom. 6:3-11---Gospel: Mk. 8:1-9
Mass Schedule July 9th through July 13th
Monday --Feria--NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs and SS Rufina & Secunda, Virgins & Martyrs
Wednesday-Saint Pius I, Pope & Martyr
Thursday-Saint John Gualbert, Abbot
Friday-Feria
FR FASCHING WILL BE ON RETREAT BEGINNING SATURDAY, JULY 14th. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 15TH AT 2:30PM. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS JULY 16TH THROUGH JULY 20TH. THE LATIN MASS WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY, JULY 22nd AT 2:30PM.
The wonderful effects of baptism should remind us of the profound meaning of this rite which Jesus Christ Himself instituted. Baptism should remind us of the Passion of Christ as well as the future glory won for us as a result of His Passion. Baptism gives us a “new birth” and at the same time presupposes a symbolic death.
When we were baptized we were born into a new life. We were freed from the darkness of sin and entered into a new light. God removes every trace of sin in baptism and also remits the penalties that these sins incur. We are given all the graces necessary to live a good Christian life. The soul receives the mark of a Christian forever!
Christ suffered physical death. In baptism we die spiritually to the life of sin. Because of Christ’s death sin and satan no longer have power over us. However, we must exercise our own personal effort in order to remain dead to sin. God’s grace is always with us provided that we cooperate with it.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
EXTRAORDINARY FORM OF THE MASS (LATIN)
CELEBRANT Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
July 8th, 2012; 6th Sunday after Pentecost
Epistle: Rom. 6:3-11---Gospel: Mk. 8:1-9
Mass Schedule July 9th through July 13th
Monday --Feria--NO LATIN MASS
Tuesday-Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs and SS Rufina & Secunda, Virgins & Martyrs
Wednesday-Saint Pius I, Pope & Martyr
Thursday-Saint John Gualbert, Abbot
Friday-Feria
FR FASCHING WILL BE ON RETREAT BEGINNING SATURDAY, JULY 14th. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS ON SUNDAY, JULY 15TH AT 2:30PM. THERE WILL BE NO LATIN MASS JULY 16TH THROUGH JULY 20TH. THE LATIN MASS WILL RESUME ON SUNDAY, JULY 22nd AT 2:30PM.
The wonderful effects of baptism should remind us of the profound meaning of this rite which Jesus Christ Himself instituted. Baptism should remind us of the Passion of Christ as well as the future glory won for us as a result of His Passion. Baptism gives us a “new birth” and at the same time presupposes a symbolic death.
When we were baptized we were born into a new life. We were freed from the darkness of sin and entered into a new light. God removes every trace of sin in baptism and also remits the penalties that these sins incur. We are given all the graces necessary to live a good Christian life. The soul receives the mark of a Christian forever!
Christ suffered physical death. In baptism we die spiritually to the life of sin. Because of Christ’s death sin and satan no longer have power over us. However, we must exercise our own personal effort in order to remain dead to sin. God’s grace is always with us provided that we cooperate with it.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Jeff Fasching
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Lent
Every person is subject to temptation. The greatest characters in the Old Testament all underwent temptation, from Adam and Eve to Moses. We cannot allow ourselves to be troubled too much when temptation comes our way. It is inevitable. There is no tribulation or temptation whose limits God has not appointed so as to serve not for our destruction but for our salvation.
God never permits us to be tempted (or afflicted) beyond our strength. It is only through temptation that we can enter into the kingdom of God. We must trust in God and His divine providence. Nothing happens to us in this life unless God wills it so. We owe our lives entirely to God.
In fact, God is the only person we can blame for the wrong we may suffer. Although God is not the cause of the sin when a person mistreats us, He is the cause of the suffering that person inflicts upon us while sinning. God did not inspire your enemy with the desire and will to harm you, but He did give him the power to do so!
We have only to look to the life and suffering of Jesus Christ Himself and learn from His own example. Christ was unjustly persecuted and put to death, and this was by the hand of God Himself. Christ allowed Himself to be tempted by satan, yet He showed us by His example how to always overcome the enemy.
This lent let us pray and fast and unite ourselves to Christ's sufferings. Let us draw our strength from our Lord and Saviour who gives us courage to do battle.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
God never permits us to be tempted (or afflicted) beyond our strength. It is only through temptation that we can enter into the kingdom of God. We must trust in God and His divine providence. Nothing happens to us in this life unless God wills it so. We owe our lives entirely to God.
In fact, God is the only person we can blame for the wrong we may suffer. Although God is not the cause of the sin when a person mistreats us, He is the cause of the suffering that person inflicts upon us while sinning. God did not inspire your enemy with the desire and will to harm you, but He did give him the power to do so!
We have only to look to the life and suffering of Jesus Christ Himself and learn from His own example. Christ was unjustly persecuted and put to death, and this was by the hand of God Himself. Christ allowed Himself to be tempted by satan, yet He showed us by His example how to always overcome the enemy.
This lent let us pray and fast and unite ourselves to Christ's sufferings. Let us draw our strength from our Lord and Saviour who gives us courage to do battle.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Saturday, November 12, 2011
The Integrity of our Lives
From a homily written in the second century:
Let us be sure that when the day of judgment comes, our place will be among those who give thanks to God and have served Him, and not with the ungodly who face condemnation. As for myslef, I am only a sinner, not yet beyond the reach of temptation; but even amidst all the devil's machinations, I still strive to make progress and hope to attain at least some virtue, for I fear the judgment that awaits me.
...The reward I ask is that you repent with your whole heart, to save yourselves and find life. If we do this, we shall set an example for all young people, for whom the glory and goodness of God is a challenge to be generous in His service.
Let me say also that when we are given a warning and corrected for doing something wrong, we should not be so foolish as to take offense and be angry. There are times when we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our hearts are fickle, lacking faith. Futile desires cloud our minds. We need to pull ourselves up, therefore, because our very salvation is at stake.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Let us be sure that when the day of judgment comes, our place will be among those who give thanks to God and have served Him, and not with the ungodly who face condemnation. As for myslef, I am only a sinner, not yet beyond the reach of temptation; but even amidst all the devil's machinations, I still strive to make progress and hope to attain at least some virtue, for I fear the judgment that awaits me.
...The reward I ask is that you repent with your whole heart, to save yourselves and find life. If we do this, we shall set an example for all young people, for whom the glory and goodness of God is a challenge to be generous in His service.
Let me say also that when we are given a warning and corrected for doing something wrong, we should not be so foolish as to take offense and be angry. There are times when we are unconscious of the sins we commit because our hearts are fickle, lacking faith. Futile desires cloud our minds. We need to pull ourselves up, therefore, because our very salvation is at stake.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Saturday, August 6, 2011
The Priest and Prayer
We live in a world where God’s Church and its Commandments are despised. The preaching of His Word and the observance of His precepts are hindered. Religion is driven from the school, justice from the workplace, morality from the home and from society. The banishment of religion means the banishment of both peace and prosperity. In the wake of this disaster come only revolution and war.
It is still not too late to restore the Church to its proper place, and the role of the priest is to prepare for her in the hearts and minds of men the way of return. Your role is to pray for your priests! The salvation of souls is the exclusive work of Christ! He entrusts it to whom He wishes. He calls to His vineyard laborers chosen by the Father. Pray that your priests will learn obedience to the Church and to her laws. Pray that your priests will foster a greater love for the Eucharist! Pray that your priests will learn to offer sacrifice as if it is the last thing they do on this earth!
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
It is still not too late to restore the Church to its proper place, and the role of the priest is to prepare for her in the hearts and minds of men the way of return. Your role is to pray for your priests! The salvation of souls is the exclusive work of Christ! He entrusts it to whom He wishes. He calls to His vineyard laborers chosen by the Father. Pray that your priests will learn obedience to the Church and to her laws. Pray that your priests will foster a greater love for the Eucharist! Pray that your priests will learn to offer sacrifice as if it is the last thing they do on this earth!
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Friday, August 5, 2011
In Praise of Mary, Mother of God
From a homily delivered at the Council of Ephesus by Saint Cyril of Alexandria, bishop:
...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We salute you, for in your holy womb He, who is beyond all limitation was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance.
What more is there to say? Because of you the light of the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the Word of God; the apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to life; and kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity...
Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. We salute you, for in your holy womb He, who is beyond all limitation was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of idolatry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance.
What more is there to say? Because of you the light of the only-begotten Son of God has shone upon those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death; prophets pronounced the Word of God; the apostles preached salvation to the Gentiles; the dead are raised to life; and kings rule by the power of the holy Trinity...
Behold then the joy of the whole universe. Let the union of God and man in the Son of the Virgin Mary fill us with awe and adoration. Let us fear and worship the undivided Trinity as we sing the praise of the ever-virgin Mary, the holy temple of God, and of God Himself, her Son and spotless Bridegroom. To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Eternal Punishment
Jesus Christ spoke often about the reality of hell. He left no room for doubt that Hell exists. "If thy eye scandalize thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee with one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire" (Mk 9:46). "After the judgement, the good will go into life everlasting, the wicked into everlasting punishment" (Mt 25:6). "Fear ye Him Who hath power to cast the body and the soul into hell" (Lk 12:5).
We must remember that God does not predestine anyone to damnation. Jesus Christ died for the redemption of all men. Everyone has received the graces necessary for salvation. Damnation is what a man chooses for himself. He refuses to accept God's love and prefers instead to turn away from God for ever. The individual take personal responsibility in the loss of his soul.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
We must remember that God does not predestine anyone to damnation. Jesus Christ died for the redemption of all men. Everyone has received the graces necessary for salvation. Damnation is what a man chooses for himself. He refuses to accept God's love and prefers instead to turn away from God for ever. The individual take personal responsibility in the loss of his soul.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Monday, July 25, 2011
Purgatory Revisited
The justice of God is terrible, and it punishes with extreme rigor even the most trivial faults. These faults may be light in our eyes, but to God they are not! The least sin displeases Him infinitely and demands enormous atonement. This is why the pains of Purgatory are so severe and should arouse in us a holy fear!
However, we should allow this fear to turn into a charitable compassion towards the poor suffering souls, but also with a vigilant zeal for our own spiritual welfare. If you truly think of the fires of Purgatory, you will avoid the least faults, and you will practice penance. The idea being that you expiate your sins in this life, rather than in the next!
We should be careful of excessive fear and not lose confidence. We must also remember the Mercy of God, which is not less infinite than His Justice! “In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum—“In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped; let me never be put to confusion.”
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
However, we should allow this fear to turn into a charitable compassion towards the poor suffering souls, but also with a vigilant zeal for our own spiritual welfare. If you truly think of the fires of Purgatory, you will avoid the least faults, and you will practice penance. The idea being that you expiate your sins in this life, rather than in the next!
We should be careful of excessive fear and not lose confidence. We must also remember the Mercy of God, which is not less infinite than His Justice! “In te, Domine, speravi, non confundar in aeternum—“In Thee, O Lord, I have hoped; let me never be put to confusion.”
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Duty of Preaching
Saint Lawrence of Brindisi reminds us that we are formed and made in the image of God. We need God's grace to live uprightly in this life. Above all we need faith. Faith is our greatest gift. We cannot have faith unless the Word of God is preached. "Faith comes through hearing, and what is heard is the Word of Christ." The preaching of God's Word is a necessity for the spiritual life.
Christ came to preach His Word. He sent the apostles and the prophets before them to do the same thing. Saint Lawrence reminds us that preaching is therefore the source of faith, hope, charity and all the other virtues!
"For the Word of God is a light to the mind and a fire to the will. It enables man to know God and to love Him. And for the interior man who lives by the Spirit of God through grace, it is bread and water, but a bread sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, a water better than wine and milk...Against the world, the flesh and the devil it serves as a sword that destroys all sin."
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Christ came to preach His Word. He sent the apostles and the prophets before them to do the same thing. Saint Lawrence reminds us that preaching is therefore the source of faith, hope, charity and all the other virtues!
"For the Word of God is a light to the mind and a fire to the will. It enables man to know God and to love Him. And for the interior man who lives by the Spirit of God through grace, it is bread and water, but a bread sweeter than honey and the honeycomb, a water better than wine and milk...Against the world, the flesh and the devil it serves as a sword that destroys all sin."
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Saint Bonaventure
From the Journey of the Mind to God by Saint Bonaventure:
...We must suspend all the operations of the mind and we must transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone. This is a sacred mystical experience. It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it; nor can he surrender himself to it unless he longs for it; nor can he long for it unless the Holy Ghost, whom Christ sent into the world, should come and inflame his innermost soul. Hence the Apostle says that this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Ghost.
If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God's grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man...
Today let us strive to be people of prayer and fulfil our duty to God.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
...We must suspend all the operations of the mind and we must transform the peak of our affections, directing them to God alone. This is a sacred mystical experience. It cannot be comprehended by anyone unless he surrenders himself to it; nor can he surrender himself to it unless he longs for it; nor can he long for it unless the Holy Ghost, whom Christ sent into the world, should come and inflame his innermost soul. Hence the Apostle says that this mystical wisdom is revealed by the Holy Ghost.
If you ask how such things can occur, seek the answer in God's grace, not in doctrine; in the longing of will, not in the understanding; in the sighs of prayer, not in research; seek the bridegroom not the teacher; God and not man...
Today let us strive to be people of prayer and fulfil our duty to God.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Monday, July 11, 2011
Christ Must Come First
"Come my sons, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. Hurry, while you have the light of life, so that death's darkness may not overtake you." "Which of you wants to live to the full; who loves long life and the enjoyment of prosperity?"
If you desire true and everlasting life then the Lord says: "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." When we do this God will listen to our prayers.
Saint Benedict writes: "Just as there exists an evil fervor, a bitter spirit, which divides us from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervor which sets us apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life."
We must strive to adopt this good fervor. It is only obtained through a well-ordered, disciplined life of prayer. It takes effort on our part, but God always provides the grace when we seek His aid.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
If you desire true and everlasting life then the Lord says: "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit; turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." When we do this God will listen to our prayers.
Saint Benedict writes: "Just as there exists an evil fervor, a bitter spirit, which divides us from God and leads us to hell, so there is a good fervor which sets us apart from evil inclinations and leads us toward God and eternal life."
We must strive to adopt this good fervor. It is only obtained through a well-ordered, disciplined life of prayer. It takes effort on our part, but God always provides the grace when we seek His aid.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Friday, July 1, 2011
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ and Humility
God put us all on this earth to become saints. The choice is ours. Not one single saint in heaven lacked the virtue of humility. The Angels in Heaven fell from grace because of their lack of humility. We must always strive to keep ourselves in a state of humility. We simply cannot be saved without the virtue of humility.
Jesus Christ Himself says to learn from Him not because He worked miracles, but because He is gentle and humble of heart. "Learn from Me, because I am meek and humble of heart." (Matt. 11:29). Jesus gives us all the power to learn humility from Him.
On this feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, there are an infinite number of qualities worthy of imitating when it comes to our Savior Jesus Christ, but He only asks that we imitate His humility.
Christ's infinite and burning desire to always remain with us is manifested in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Christ waits for our visit. He humbles Himself because His delight is to be with the sons of men.
Today let us take advantage of our Lord's presence in the tablernacle. Let us not be indifferent. Let us pray for those who are.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Jesus Christ Himself says to learn from Him not because He worked miracles, but because He is gentle and humble of heart. "Learn from Me, because I am meek and humble of heart." (Matt. 11:29). Jesus gives us all the power to learn humility from Him.
On this feast day of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, there are an infinite number of qualities worthy of imitating when it comes to our Savior Jesus Christ, but He only asks that we imitate His humility.
Christ's infinite and burning desire to always remain with us is manifested in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Christ waits for our visit. He humbles Himself because His delight is to be with the sons of men.
Today let us take advantage of our Lord's presence in the tablernacle. Let us not be indifferent. Let us pray for those who are.
Sincerely in Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Monday, June 13, 2011
Pentecost
We know we are a child of the Holy Ghost if we avoid grievous sin. The Holy Ghost can only dwell in a soul who has no part of serious sin. Every sin is an abomination to the Holy Ghost. Saint Paul writes: “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God.” In other words, do not sin! Sin turns the dwelling place of the Holy Ghost into the dwelling place of Satan! Saint Gregory says: “The sinner’s heart is the devil’s workshop, but not the dwelling of the Holy Ghost.” It is most notably the sins of impurity-unchaste thoughts, words, and actions which drive the Holy Ghost out of our hearts. The sensual man cannot receive the grace of the Holy Ghost. The book of Genesis tells us: “My spirit shall not remain in man forever, because he is flesh;” in other words, because he is addicted to the lust of the flesh.
If you have lost the Holy Ghost through leading a sinful life now is the time to repent! You must do penance to purify your soul and receive the Holy Ghost once again into your heart. Saint Peter says: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
If you have lost the Holy Ghost through leading a sinful life now is the time to repent! You must do penance to purify your soul and receive the Holy Ghost once again into your heart. Saint Peter says: “Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Friday, May 6, 2011
Litany of the Passion
Jesus, unknown and despised, (Have mercy on me.)
Jesus, calumniated and persecuted,
Jesus, abandoned by men and tempted,
Jesus, betrayed and sold for a paltry sum,
Jesus, blamed, accused and unjustly condemned,
Jesus, clothed with a garment of opprobrium and shame,
Jesus, buffeted and mocked,
Jesus, dragged with a rope round Thy neck,
Jesus, scourged unto blood,
Jesus, reputed to be a fool and to be possessed by a devil,
Jesus, to whom Barabbas was preferred,
Jesus, shamefully stripped of Thy garments,
Jesus, crowned with thorns and saluted in derision,
Jesus, laden with the Cross, and disowned by Thy people,
Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, sorrow, and humiliations,
Jesus, sorrowful unto death,
Jesus, insulted, spat upon, beaten, outraged and scoffed at,
Jesus, hanged on the infamous tree in company with robbers,
Jesus, set at nought and deprived of honor before men,
Jesus, overwhelmed with all kinds of sorrow,
O Good Jesus, who has suffered an infinity of insults and humiliations for love of me, imprint deeply on my heart a great love and appreciation for them, and the desire to endure them willingly for Thee. Amen.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Jesus, calumniated and persecuted,
Jesus, abandoned by men and tempted,
Jesus, betrayed and sold for a paltry sum,
Jesus, blamed, accused and unjustly condemned,
Jesus, clothed with a garment of opprobrium and shame,
Jesus, buffeted and mocked,
Jesus, dragged with a rope round Thy neck,
Jesus, scourged unto blood,
Jesus, reputed to be a fool and to be possessed by a devil,
Jesus, to whom Barabbas was preferred,
Jesus, shamefully stripped of Thy garments,
Jesus, crowned with thorns and saluted in derision,
Jesus, laden with the Cross, and disowned by Thy people,
Jesus, overwhelmed with insults, sorrow, and humiliations,
Jesus, sorrowful unto death,
Jesus, insulted, spat upon, beaten, outraged and scoffed at,
Jesus, hanged on the infamous tree in company with robbers,
Jesus, set at nought and deprived of honor before men,
Jesus, overwhelmed with all kinds of sorrow,
O Good Jesus, who has suffered an infinity of insults and humiliations for love of me, imprint deeply on my heart a great love and appreciation for them, and the desire to endure them willingly for Thee. Amen.
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Holy Saturday
The whole earth is silent and still on this day. Christ our Lord is asleep in the tomb. Our Lord has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear. Christ descends into hell with the mission of freeing those who live in darkness and the shadow of death. Christ bears His Cross, the weapon He used to win the victory over satan and death. Christ commands all those who are asleep to rise from the dead and promises to give each person His light. Christ did not create humanity to be prisoners in hell. He therefore orders all to come forth to receive His light.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Temptation Continued
The greatest misfortune for a Christian is not to be tempted. Saint Gregory says that if you have no temptations the devil is your friend, your guide and your shepherd. If he now allows you a life of peace, he will at the end of your life drag you into hell. If we are not tempted then we must consider ourselves abandoned by God.
Temptation is necessary. It helps us persevere in humility and distrust of ourselves. Temptation obliges us to take refuge in God alone. In fact, temptation is one of the sure signs that we are on the path to heaven, no matter how humiliating the temptation may be. Saint Augustine says that everything we do without overcoming temptation is of very little value. We cannot become discouraged. We should rather thank God and fight the good fight because we have already won the victory in Jesus Christ.
Temptation is necessary. It helps us persevere in humility and distrust of ourselves. Temptation obliges us to take refuge in God alone. In fact, temptation is one of the sure signs that we are on the path to heaven, no matter how humiliating the temptation may be. Saint Augustine says that everything we do without overcoming temptation is of very little value. We cannot become discouraged. We should rather thank God and fight the good fight because we have already won the victory in Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Mary, Mother of God II
From Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop:
"Mother of God we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an evershining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy...We salute you, for in your holy womb he, who is beyond all limitation, was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of of idolotry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance..."
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
"Mother of God we salute you. Precious vessel, worthy of the whole world's reverence, you are an evershining light, the crown of virginity, the symbol of orthodoxy...We salute you, for in your holy womb he, who is beyond all limitation, was confined. Because of you the holy Trinity is glorified and adored; the cross is called precious and is venerated throughout the world; the heavens exult; the angels and archangels make merry; demons are put to flight; the devil, that tempter, is thrust down from heaven; the fallen race of man is taken up on high; all creatures possessed by the madness of of idolotry have attained knowledge of the truth; believers receive holy baptism; the oil of gladness is poured out; the Church is established throughout the world; pagans are brought to repentance..."
In Christ,
Rev. Jeffery A. Fasching
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