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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