Indulgences and the Faithful Departed

All Saints Day and All Souls Day are upon us and it is good to think about the many graces that are available for those who have gone before us and are undergoing their spiritual purification in purgatory. They may be our loved ones, members of our community, or souls we don't know from all places of the world and history. To pray for them is to help them in their journey to Heaven. And once they attain their heavenly reward, they'll be praying for us before the Throne of God! So let us take up this great act of charity for souls in helping them along their way.

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is granted to the faithful who fulfill the following conditions:

     • Visit a Church on November 2, All Souls' Day

     • Offer an Our Father and Hail Mary for the Pope's Intentions

     • Offer an Our Father and the Creed for the Faithful Departed

     • Make a good confession within a week and be free from all attachment to sin

     • Receive Holy Communion that day (or ASAP following if unable that day)

A plenary indulgence, applicable only to the souls in purgatory, is also granted to the faithful who fulfill the following conditions:

     • on any and each day from November 1 to 8, devoutly visit a cemetery and pray, if only mentally,                               for the departed (the 'Eternal rest grant unto them...' suffices)

     • Offer an Our Father and Hail Mary for the Pope's Intentions

     • Make a good confession within a week and be free from all attachment to sin

     • Receive Holy Communion that day (or ASAP following if unable that day)

Papal Intentions for November 2017

Papal Intention for November 2017: 

Christians in Asia. 

That Christians in Asia, bearing witness to the Gospel in word and deed, may promote dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding, especially with those of other religions.

Prayer for the Pope

V. Let us pray for Francis, our Pope.

R. May the Lord preserve him, give him life, 

and make him blessed upon the earth, 

and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.

Our Father... Hail Mary...

O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all Thy faithful people, look mercifully upon Thy servant Francis, whom Thou hast chosen as shepherd to preside over Thy Church. Grant him, we beseech Thee, that by his word and example, he may edify those over whom he hath charge, so that together with the flock committed to him, may he attain everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Greatest Commandment - Homily for October 29

Chapel of St. Claude la Colombiere

Readings for Sunday, October 29 / 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Exodus 22:20-26  |  Psalm 18  |  1 Thessalonians 1:5-10  |  Matthew 22:34-40

The Lord reminds us that the great commandment is to love the Lord with all of our heart, all of our mind, and all of our soul. When it happens, beautiful things happen. The lives of the saints show us what it looks like.

Holy Mass: The Dismissal - Homily for October 15

Readings for Sunday, October 15 / 28th Sunday of Ordinary Time:  Isaiah 25:6-10  |  Psalm 23  |  Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20  |  Matthew 22:1-14

The final part of the Mass is the Dismissal, but it is by no means the least important. Even the few short words spoken for us have a particularly powerful element to them. 

Holy Mass: Receiving Christ - Homily for October 8

Readings for Sunday, October 8 / 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 5:1-7  |  Psalm 80  |  Philippians 4:6-9  |  Matthew 21:33-43

Our Gospel today tells us of the consequences of not receiving Christ as we ought. Let us give some reflection to the manner of receiving Holy Communion at Mass, both the exterior and the interior, that Our Lord might find in us a welcoming soul to His Presence.

Holy Mass: Humility - Homily for October 1

Readings for Sunday, October 1 / 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time: Ezekiel 18:25-28  |  Psalm 25  |  Philippians 2:1-11  |  Matthew 21:28-32

The 'Christ Hymn' recounted by St. Paul today shows us the humility of Christ and provides a model and encouragement for us to do the same. The prayers of the Mass leading up to Holy Communion are a great aid to us in this.