Saint Joseph Cafasso
(1811-1860)
Jesus Christ, in His infinite wisdom, used the
words and idioms that were in use among those whom
He addressed. You should do likewise.
--St. Joseph Cafasso
Don't suppose
that anyone really learns something from another
human being. I can admonish you by the sound
of my voice, but if there isn't within you One who
teaches, then my words are only meaningless noise. .
. . The instruction that comes from others is a kind
of help, a call for attention. But the One who
truly teaches the heart teaches from heaven.
--St. Augustine
Teaching unsupported by grace may enter our
ears, but it never reaches the heart. When God's
grace does touch our innermost minds to bring
understanding, then His Word, which is received by
the ear, can sink deep into the heart.
-- St. Isidore
When Christ Himself spoke to Paul and called
him, He could have opened his eyes at once and made
known to him the way of perfections; instead He sent
him to Ananias and told him to learn from him the
way of truth, saying: 'Arise and go into the
city, and there you will be told what you must do'
(Acts 9:6). In this manner He teaches us to be
guided by those who are advanced on the way, so that
the vision rightly given to Paul should not be
wrongly interpreted; otherwise it might lead later
generations presumptuously to suppose that each
individual must be initiated into the truth directly
by God, as Paul was, and not by the fathers.
--St. John Cassian
St. Francis
Preaching to the Birds
by Giotto
1257-1377
"Repent and believe the Good News!"
Penance means conversion. The Confraternity of
Penitents is a world wide private Catholic
association of the faithful, completely loyal to our
Pope and the Magisterium.
Our Rule of Life has been reviewed by our bishop and
recognized in these words: "this Rule does not
contain anything contrary to our faith; therefore it
may be safely practiced privately by you or by
anyone inclined to do so. . . . His Excellency
is appreciative of your efforts to live and promote
Franciscan spirituality and especially promote the
neglected practice of penance and he wishes you
success" (January 30, 1998).
Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live this
Rule in their own homes, devoted to prayer, penance,
fasting, conversion, and works of mercy modeled on
Jesus Christ and inspired by the lives and teachings
of
St. Francis,
St. Dominic,
St. Therese,
St. Benedict,
St. Augustine,
St. Ignatius,
and all the saints, most especially Mary, the Mother
of God, who lived a life of true penance
(conversion) in perfect union with our Lord.
May Our Lady and all the saints intercede for all
who wish to embrace a life of penance, anywhere in
the world, so that the grace of God will assist them
to obtain every virtue necessary for a life of
holiness and surrender to the Will of God! Amen.
PRAYER OF PENITENTS
"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness
of my mind, give me right faith, a firm hope and
perfect charity, so that I may always and in all
things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen."
(Saint Francis's prayer before the San Damiano
Crucifix)
MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House
which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." (The
message given to St. Francis in a voice from the San
Damiano Crucifix.)
ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's
specific direction in one's life so that, through
humbly living our Rule of Life, each penitent may
help to rebuild the house of God by bringing love of
God and neighbor to his or her own corner of the
world.
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SUNDAY MASS
HOMILIES BY DEACON JOSEPH PASQUELLA
Deacon Joseph
Pasquella serves at St. Lawrence Church,
Buffalo, NY USA. He is an
affiliate of the
Confraternity of Penitents
as well as spiritual director for some of
its members. He is also a
Spiritual Advisor
to the CFP. We thank
Deacon Joseph for allowing us to print his
reflections, beginning with the Thirty-Third
Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B, 2006.
Click on the blue
links to access the homilies:
2011 Homilies
Cycle B
Cycle B Homilies
Cycle A
Cycle A Homilies
Cycle C
Remainder of Cycle C
Homilies
Eighteenth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Seventeenth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Sixteenth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Fifteenth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Fourteenth Sunday Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Thirteenth Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Mass of John the Baptist,
Cycle C
Eleventh Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Corpus Christi, Cycle C
Trinity Sunday, Cycle C
Pentecost Sunday, Cycle C
Seventh Sunday of Easter,
Cycle C
Sixth Sunday of Easter,
Cycle C
Fifth Sunday of Easter,
Cycle C
Fourth Sunday of Easter,
Cycle C
Divine Mercy Sunday, Cycle
C
Easter Sunday, Cycle C
Fifth Sunday of Lent,
Cycle C
Fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle C
Third Sunday of Lent,
Cycle C
Second Sunday of Lent,
Cycle C
First Sunday of Lent,
Cycle C
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Fourth Sunday of Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Third Sunday of Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Second Sunday of Ordinary
Time, Cycle C
Epiphany, Cycle C
Fourth Sunday of Advent,
Cycle C
Third Sunday of Advent,
Cycle C
Second Sunday of Advent,
Cycle C
First Sunday of Advent,
Cycle C
Cycle B (we
regret that we have only begun to post these
homilies at the very end of Cycle B. Thus, the
Cycle B series is incomplete.)
Solemnity of Christ the King, Cycle B
Thirty-Third Sunday of
Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Confraternity of Penitents
520 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI USA
02842-4600
401/849-5421
bspenance@hotmail.com
copenitents@yahoo.com
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