SAINT OF THE MONTH
Saint Elizabeth (Isabel) of Portugal
(1271-1336)
(Portrait by Francisco de Zurbaran, 1598-1664,
Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain)
Saint Elizabeth (Isabel) was the daughter of
King Peter III of Aragon, Spain, and granddaughter
of Manfred, King of Sicily. Her grandfather
was Emperor Frederick II and her great aunt St.
Elizabeth of Hungary after whom she was named.
Praying and fasting from the age of eight, Elizabeth
was married to Denis, King of Portugal, when she was
twelve years old. Denis, who was selfish,
sinful, and dissolute, allowed Elizabeth her
devotions and charity to the poor, the strangers,
the penitents, and the sick.
Honoring Denis with respect and obedience,
Elizabeth ever prayed for and loved her husband
despite his affairs, even to the point of caring for
his illegitimate children.
When Prince Alfonso declared war against his
father Denis and his illegitimate brothers,
Elizabeth rode out to the field of war to bring
reconciliation between father and son. When
Denis became seriously ill, Elizabeth tended him
with patience and devotion, winning his eventual
repentance.
After Denis's death, Elizabeth embraced the
Rule of 1221. Ever the peace maker, she
averted war between Ferdinand IV of Castile and his
cousin and again when Ferdinand challenged her own
brother. In 1336, Elizabeth's son Alfonso IV
set out to war against his son-in-law. Despite
the excessive and deadly heat, an ill Elizabeth rode
out to meet and reconcile the two kings. After
succeeding in this, she confessed her sins, received
Viaticum, and died peacefully.
QUOTE FROM A
SAINT
"If the King
sins, am I to lose patience and thus add my
transgressions to his? I love better to
confide my sorrows to God and His holy Saints and to
strive to win back my husband by gentleness."
--St. Elizabeth (Isabel) of Portugal
Reconciliation cannot be forced. Neither
can love. Saint Elizabeth knew that gentleness
and calm are the ways to peace. No one can
bring peace to others if one is at war within one's
own soul. Peace without is a fruit of peace
within.
SCRIPTURE VERSE
"The harvest of justice is sown in
peace for those who cultivate peace."
(James 3:18)
Reconciliation must be done in
justice and mercy. It is just and merciful to
reconcile with others, even if our emotions try to
block those efforts. We need not like someone
to reconcile with him or her. We need,
instead, to love the other with the love of Christ
and wish them every good. If we do not feel
this love, we can pray for God to grant it to us.
Reconciliation is not a matter of feeling but a
matter of doing. Our Rule calls us to
reconciliation with all that is right and good.
May God show us how to bring that about.
BIRTHDAYS
A Happy Birthday
to:
Anne Gilewicz 9/5
Maggie Jolicoeur 9/6
Karen Hopersburger 9/20
Melissa Marie Henriques 9/23
Sharon Pickerl 9/23
Rachel Cornet-Mandia 9/26
Diane Ache 9/28
FUNDS
The Confraternity
of Penitents requires no dues from its membership.
However, there are expenses to be met (about $200
monthly) and we appreciate your donations toward
them. We also have an Alms Fund for needy members.
If you wish your contribution to go toward the Alms
Fund, please so specify.
Donations may be
sent to CFP Treasurer, Rita Farnsworth, 17 Gargon
Terrace, Southwick MA 01077. Please make checks out
to Confraternity of Penitents.
OR
Make a secure,
online donation through PayPal by using the PayPal
logo on our
Cornflakes? Link.
Your donation is
tax-deductible.
May God reward you
for your support!
Visitor: Father Jay
Finelli
Spiritual
Advisors: Father John of the Trinity, Erem. TOCarm,
Fr. Martin Mary Fonte, FI, Dom Julian Stead, OSB
Convert Contact:
Mark Gordon, Fidelity Forum.
Please contact us
if you have a question which you feel a priest needs
to answer and we will put you in touch with one of
our spiritual advisors or with another person who
can assist you.
May God bless you
and let us pray for one another!
The Lord's Prayer
by J. J. Tissot
1899
"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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NO GREATER LOVE
"There is no greater love than this: to lay
down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13)
Monthly
Newsletter for
All Who Wish to
Do Penance (Experience Conversion) in the
CONFRATERNITY
OF PENITENTS
September, 2004
LETTER FROM THE MINISTER
(PRESIDENT)
Dear holy people of Penance,
Peace and Many Blessings to you during the month
of September.
Our retreat was a real blessing to all of us and
the presence of the Holy Spirit was felt by all
who attended in July. I am still getting
feedback from members, and they are filled with
the Spirit of giving and forgiving. The talks on
the Many Faces of Mary were interesting, and we
are going to continue with this at our next
retreat and learn more about our Blessed Mother
and how she graces us with her gifts.
September is the month for going back to school
for many families and beginning new projects. It
is also a month of volunteering our time and
efforts to our church, school, neighborhood etc.
It is also a time that we may consider giving
some of that time to the Confraternity of
Penitents.
We all possess some God given qualities, and we
must not hide them under a bushel basket. The
gospel message tells us that we must share these
gifts and talents with others so that our light
might shine for all to see.
At the retreat in July, I mentioned leadership
and how we might share our time and talents with
the CFP. I would like to reiterate some of those
remarks regarding the virtue of zeal. When
examining our conscience, does it ever occur to
you to ask yourself, "Have I failed in the
practice of the virtue of zeal?" Unless we
ask ourselves this question, we may have the
tendency to fall into a false complacency in the
practice of our faith.
Zeal is briefly a concern for
others- a concern in God's interest- not
primarily our own. Some Christians and Catholics
are only concerned with the saving of their own
soul. One good measure of this zeal, of course,
is how much one gives to one's prayer life. God
also wants us to be concerned about saving other
souls and help lead them to Heaven.
In considering this virtue and different outlets
for our zeal, have you ever considered being a
leader? The Confraternity of Penitents is
growing. We get more and more inquirers
every week who are interested in this holy way
of life. This is very good. We have excellent
leaders, and we could use more. We want to make
sure that each inquirer and member gets the
adequate personal attention that they deserve
from the CFP. In order to do this we need you.
If you are at least a Novice 1 in the
Confraternity of Penitents and feel that you
could contribute some of your talents and time,
please let us know. Even if you say, "I only
have a limited time to give," it will be
welcomed. Let us decide where we can best use
your talents . This is a wonderful way to
acquire the virtue of zeal and gain graces.
If you think that you may be
interested in helping out, please call us or
contact your Regional Communications Coordinator
and he or she will assist you. May God grant you
His many blessings and graces as you discern
where you can help lead others to Heaven.
Looking forward to hearing from you soon. It is
a blessing to be of service to the Lord.
Mary McGarry, Minister (President)
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"NO GREATER LOVE"
SACRED
What does the word Sacred mean
to you? Holy? Set Apart or Reserved?
Untouchable? Profound?
I once told a friend I considered him as sacred.
He was taken by surprise and uncomfortable with
the description. “Sacred is reserved for God:
Sacred Scripture, Sacred Body and Blood, Sacred
vessels, Sacred vestments...”
Very true! The Scriptures are sacred because
they are the Word of God. His Body and Blood,
sacrificed for us, are indeed sacred. The
vessels, the tabernacle, monstrance, chalice and
paten, that contain the precious Body and Blood
are specially blessed for this purpose and are
sacred. The vestments worn by the priest during
Mass, administration of the Sacraments and other
liturgies are sacred because the priest
represents Christ when he functions in these
roles.
But then are we not also sacred? Doesn’t
Scripture assure us God will put His law within
us and write it upon our hearts? (Jer 31:33)
Have we not consumed His Body and Blood that
gives us His Life within us? Are we not earthen
vessels of Christ, tabernacles of the Holy
Spirit? Are not our bodies the outer garment of
the soul breathed into being by God at our
conception? We are created and blessed for a
holy purpose.
So we are all sacred. How do we treat the
sacred? It is with reverence and awe.
Paul and Susan Boudreau
REFLECTIONS ON
THE SAN DAMIANO CRUCIFIX: COLOR OF THE
HALOES
All of the haloes on the
crucifix of San Damiano, with the exception of
the large halo around the head of Christ
Crucified, are outlined in red. That red
is the same color as the blood spurting from the
wounds of Christ. The iconographer is
telling us that our holiness comes from the
sacrificial death of Christ. Only to the
extent that we allow that death to transform
us--to that extent will we be holy. May
the Lord help us to embrace the Passion of
Christ with love so that we may partake of His
glory.
OUR RULE OF LIFE AND
REFLECTION
RULE: ARTICLE 26
26. As regards making peace among the brothers
and sisters or non-members at odds, let what the
ministers find proper be done; even, if it be
expedient, upon consultation with the Lord
Bishop.
STATUTES: ARTICLE 26
a. All are to make peace with members of the
Confraternity and all others, seeking, if
necessary, the consultation of the Church.
b. The penitent must daily pray for all those
who refuse to make peace with the penitent and
must forgive such people all wrongs done to the
penitent.
c. The brothers and sisters are always to take
the first steps toward reconciliation. Under no
circumstances are penitents to hold grudges or
wish ill to anyone.
REFLECTION: ARTICLE 26
Article 26 is the core of the
Rule of 1221. St. Francis asked that
penitents be at peace with all. The living of
this article during the Middle Ages broke the
power of the feudal system. Since
penitents were to be at peace with all, they
were no longer participants in disputes between
nobles. Refusing to take arms or fight,
the penitents helped bring peace to war torn
feudal lands.
Making peace with all is so
critical that our Rule tells us that, if
everything to make peace has been unsuccessfully
tried, the penitent ought then seek the
consultation of the Church. The Church can
be consulted through a priest, deacon, or male
or female religious. If the case is very
serious and involves a religious matter which
cannot be solved by the local Church, our Rule
tells us to seek out the advice of the bishop.
The first step in reconciliation
is desiring it. It is unthinkable that a
penitent would not desire reconciliation.
Some situations involving sin and safety demand
prudence in how that reconciliation is achieved,
but it should still be attempted in ways that
protect the penitent and others from possible
harm. If it is difficult to desire
reconciliation with someone who has hurt us
deeply, we ought to pray for God to grant us the
grace of desire. May our hearts be open to
all so that we may live our Rule in peace and
love.
FIVE WAYS GOD USES PROBLEMS
The problems you face will either defeat you or
develop you - depending on how you respond to
them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how
God wants to use problems for good in their
lives. They react foolishly and resent their
problems rather than pausing to consider what
benefit they might bring. Here are five ways God
wants to use the problems in your life:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes
God must light a fire under you to get you
moving. Problems often point us in a new
direction and motivate us to change. Is God
trying to get your attention? "Trust in the Lord
with all your heart; and lean not unto your own
understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
2. God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are
like tea bags... if you want to know what's
inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has
God tested your faith with a problem? What do
problems reveal about you? "When you have many
kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy,
because you know that these troubles test your
faith, and this will give you patience." James
1:2-3
3. God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some
lessons we learn only through pain and failure.
It's likely that as a child your parents told
you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably
learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn
the value of something by losing it. "It is good
for me that I have been afflicted; that I might
learn thy statutes." Psalm 119:72
4. God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem
can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you
from being harmed by something more serious.
Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do
something unethical that his boss had asked him
to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it
saved him from being convicted and sent to
prison a year later when management's actions
were eventually discovered. "You intended to
harm me, but God intended it for good." Genesis
50:20
5. God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems,
when responded to correctly, are character
builders. God is far more interested in your
character than your comfort. Your relationship
to God and your character are the only two
things you're going to take with you into
eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into
problems... they help us learn to be patient.
And patience develops strength of character in
us and helps us trust God more each time we use
it until finally our hope and faith are strong
and steady." Romans 5:3-4
"Here's the point: God is at work in your life -
even when you don't recognize it or understand
it. But it's so much easier when you surrender
to his plan for your life." unknown
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ORDERS FOR 2005 GUIDES TO CHRISTIAN PRAYER AND
LITURGY OF THE HOURS
We are now taking orders for the
2005 Guides to the One Volume Christian Prayer
and to the Four Volume Liturgy of the Hours. If
you want one of these guides, please let us know
as soon as possible so that we can order one for
you. Please specify if you want the guide
for the one or four volume Divine Office. If you
have a Franciscan Supplement, please let us know
that as well. In this way, we can order
the proper guide for you. The cost will be
approximately $3 including the postage.
The guides will be available in December. Please
email
copenitents@yahoo.com
or
bspenance@hotmail.com
or phone 401/849-5421
with your order.
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CONFRATERNITY PHOTO ALBUM
 Ever
since I was a young girl, I always wanted to be
a nun. Unfortunately it never happened due to
family members being unhappy with that decision.
I developed a personal relationship with Jesus
when I entered the Charismatic Renewal in the
early seventy's. I lived in a Christian
household for five years, in the early 1980's.
Then I moved out by myself for a few years. My
parents moved in with me in 1989. I cared for
them until my Dad died in 1998 and my Mom died
in 2003.
I've never been married, and I worked at Verizon
right out of high school until I took early
retirement in 1994. At that time I was teaching
1st grade catechism. For a short time I also
taught 5th & 6th grade catechism. I also
lectored a few years and was an altar server for
about 1year. I then worked for a Telephone
Answering Service and had to work weekends and
holidays, therefore giving up my lectoring,
altar serving and teaching C.C.D.
It was difficult to balance prayer, work and
caring for my parents so I prayed mostly at
night before going to sleep if I wasn't too
tired. When my Mom died, I desired a deeper life
with Jesus again. That's when my longtime friend
Sue Alekson, also a St. Pio Chapter of the CFP
member, asked if I wanted to come to a CFP
meeting. I always had a love for St. Francis so
I said "yes".
I feel I have been blessed to belong to St Pio
Chapter, in Southwick, Massachusetts, and to be
able to share my spiritual life with others in
CFP. The Lord is pouring out His Graces and
Blessings. I was working in a factory 5 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. I
have now found a new job as a receptionist since
the Retreat. In my first week on the job, I
didn't feel nervous like I have in the past when
I've started new jobs. Thanks be to God, for it
was through Linda Renaud, another member of our
St. Pio Chapter, who put in a good word to a
friend of hers whom works at a temporary
employment agency.
Since it's not really possible to become a nun
anymore, I felt this is what I'm looking for and
decided to join CFP. I am currently a Postulant
in the St. Pio Chapter, and I look forward to
the future with all the new gifts of friendship,
spiritual sharing and walking with the Lord with
the members of St. Pio Chapter and the rest of
the Confraternity of Penitents!
Maggie Jolicoeur
--------------------------
My name is Bill Eddy and I now
live in Columbus, Ohio. My
 path
to the Catholic Church and the CFP has been such
a joy that I would like to share some of it with
everyone.
I began my search for God when I was twelve. I
started out as a Nazarene, traveled the world,
and walked through many doors of various
churches, trying to connect to the truth that
would fulfill my communion with the Creator. In
2000 I returned to my home town to help my
mother who was in ill health. One day I told her
I wanted to go to Mass, she said, “Well then,
go”. That was strange; she always hated
Catholics. I had walked these same blocks 50
some years earlier; this time, however, I walked
through the doors of a small Catholic Church and
something wonderful happened. I knew I was
finally home. This was where I could share my
love for Christ and a fulfillment of all that He
had shown me on my journey through life. I felt
the presence of God so greatly that I wanted to
become Catholic right away, but the Lord knew
there were some major changes coming in my life,
and He had a more perfect plan.
In May my mother died. I sold her property
and in October moved back to Columbus where I
had worked before retirement. God had the
perfect apartment, perfect church and perfect
church family waiting, oh yes, the perfect RICA
team.
Once I had completed RICA and gone through the
Confirmation Rite, at Easter 2004, I felt drawn
to do and be more. I had gone to seminary but it
was too late to be a Priest or Brother. Being
disabled I have a great deal of freedom and I
wanted to be a vital part of the Body of Christ,
to serve the Church from where I was. I had been
watching EWTN in the small town of five thousand
and felt God had placed it there just for me.
When I moved to Columbus I called the cable
companies until I found EWTN again. So it was
natural for my sponsor to suggest that I write
them. I knew Father Anthony was the vocation
director so I wrote him for information on how
to consecrate my life, as it is, to the Church.
He wrote back suggesting I contact a group
called Confraternity of Penitence. Wow! I
checked them out on the web, read all I could
set my eyes on and two months later I was at
their 2004 retreat in East Aurora, New York. I
am overjoyed with all that God has placed in my
life, having become a postulant; I look forward
to all the gifts I will obtain by walking this
path with other CFP members.
THANKS TO FATHER DAVID ENGO
We thank Father David Engo for
his support for us as a spiritual advisor to the
Confraternity of Penitents. Father David
has now joined a primitive Franciscan Order in
Italy and is no longer on line nor is he readily
available by phone. His prayer support
continues for the Confraternity of Penitents
and, should it ever be possible for him to
resume the role of spiritual advisor, we would
love to have him return. Please continue to hold
him in prayer. He is a fine, young priest.
CATHOLIC HUMOR
Bible Questions
Q. What kind of man was Boaz
before he married?
A. Ruthless.
Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.
Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while
everyone else was in liquidation.
Q. What was the greatest female financier in the
Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank
of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.
Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden
in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout
the land. Honda, because the apostles were all
in one Accord.
Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.
Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as
to why he no longer lived in Eden? A. Your
mother ate us out of house and home.
Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant
lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.
Q. Which area of Palestine was especially
wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always
overflowing.
Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in
the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep
sleep.
Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.
CONFRATERNITY COOKBOOK
Three penitents are
compiling recipes for a Confraternity Cookbook.
How about sharing your favorite recipes with:
Rita Farnsworth,
RitaFarns@aol.com
Karen Sadock,
karen.sadock@saintbruno.org
Or else postal mail
them to the Confraternity at 520 Oliphant Lane,
Middletown RI 02842-4600
"You shall
love the Lord your God with your whole heart,
with your whole soul, and with all your mind,
(and) you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
(Matthew 22:37-38)
Confraternity of Penitents
520 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI USA
02842-4600
401/849-5421
bspenance@hotmail.com
copenitents@yahoo.com
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