Feast Day: March 7th| Mother and Martyr | Patronage: Mothers, Expectant Mothers, Mothers who have lost Sons, Ranchers, Butchers, Carthage, Widows | Attributes: Women standing side by side; Holding Palm of Victory, Cross of Martyrdom; Praying and Singing, Embracing and Giving Kiss of Peace; Attacked by Wild Cow; Halo’s Intertwined; Felicity Pregnant, Dressed as a Servant

We continued to recall St. Perpetua’s Passion, now reading from the final paragraphs added after their martyrdom by a person who, though anonymous here, may have been as famous an early-Christian character as Tertullian.

As for Felicity, the Lord’s favor touched her in this way. She was now in her eighth month (for she was pregnant when she was arrested). As the day of the games drew near, she was in agony, fearing that her pregnancy would spare her (since it was not permitted to punish pregnant women in public), and that she would pour forth her holy and innocent blood afterwards, along with common criminals. But also her fellow martyrs were deeply saddened that they might leave behind so good a friend, their companion, to travel alone on the road to their shared hope. And so, two days before the games, they joined together in one united supplication, groaning, and poured forth their prayer to the Lord. Immediately after their prayer her labor pains came upon her. And when—because of the natural difficulty associated with an eighth-month delivery—she suffered in her labor, one of the assistant jailers said to her: “If you are suffering so much now, what will you do when you are thrown to the beasts which you scorned when you refused to sacrifice?” And she replied: “Now I alone suffer what I am suffering, but then there will be another inside me, who will suffer for me, because I am going to suffer for him.” And she gave birth to a baby girl, whom a certain sister brought up as her own daughter. [Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, XV,Translation by Thomas J. Heffernan, 2012].

I make note, first of all, that Roman Law – even when entirely comfortable with hurling young men and women, naked, to be torn by beasts as public entertainment, and, when still casting a blind-eye towards fathers who would expose until death unwanted infant children – still held that a pregnant woman could not be executed because of the innocence and individual-dignity of the child in her womb. Yet though much could be said on the inconsistency of Roman Law as regards human life and dignity (not to mention the laws of our own country), I choose instead to dwell again on one important word here used for the first time in Christian literature: “fellow-martyrs” (conmartyres). 

Notice that Felicity has also chosen to hold her Christian identity as even more important than her motherhood. She, with all the longings and hopes of a pregnant mother, still yearns for the grace of martyrdom even more. Yet her and Perpetua’s desire is not simply to die for Christ, but to die together for Christ. So many words in these their final moments depict their union: “fellow martyrs … so good a friend, their companion, … shared hope … joined together in one united supplication … a certain sister.” Remarkably, these two saints who died on March 7^th have trumped no less a saint than St. Thomas Aquinas, who also died on March 7^th (we celebrate him instead on his earthly birthday, January 28^th). The Angelic Theologian tells us of the splendor of Christian Friendship: “thus there is a twofold grace: one whereby man himself is united to God, and this is called sanctifying grace; the other is that whereby one man cooperates with another in leading him to God, and this gift is called gratuitous grace.” [Summa Theologicae, I.II, 111.1.Respondeo].  BUT, it is Perpetua and Felicity who show us the splendor of Christian friendship, emboldening each other all the way to their final self-gift!

But they are not only a twosome enduring the arena: “Now I alone suffer what I am suffering, but then there will be another inside me, who will suffer for me, because I am going to suffer for him.” It seems that St. Paul’s words have transfigured these women’s courageous hearts: “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” [1 Cor 13:1-3] These women speak eloquently; they understand the scriptures and have received baptism and faith; they have converted the hearts of their intransient jailers and have even given up their bodies and every human relationship … but all of this would be vain without love, without Christ within them. Truly, at the end, these two were joined by Christ in their final sufferings. “Then [Perpetua] got up; and when she saw Felicity crushed to the ground, she went over to her, gave her hand and helped her up. And the two stood side by side.” [XX] 

– Fr. Dominic Rankin cannot help but remind all of us these women, though recently baptized, had not yet received Holy Communion. They were imprisoned for the entirety of their Christian lives, and can only describe their yearning for Christ’s self-gift as food. Perpetua recounts for us a dream she had while in prison: “And I saw an enormous garden and a white-haired man sitting in the middle of it dressed in shepherd’s clothes, a big man, milking sheep. And standing around were many thousands dressed in white. And he raised his head, looked at me, and said: ‘You are welcome here, child.’ And he called me, and from the cheese that he had milked he gave me as it were a mouthful. And I received it in my cupped hands and ate it. And all those standing around said: ‘Amen.’ And I woke up at the sound of their voice, still eating some unknown sweet. And at once I told this to my brother. And we knew we would suffer, and we ceased to have any hope in this world” [IV].

The First Sunday of Lent always presents us with the account of the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the desert.  Although the Scriptures do not explicitly state that He was alone, that is what we sometimes think.  It was only after 40 days that the devil showed up and began his attempts to throw Jesus off His path.  The fact of this matter is that Jesus was indeed not alone in the desert.  For as the Second Person of the Trinity, He was always united with the Father and the Holy Spirit.  Furthermore, St. Mark’s Gospel recount that during His time in the desert, “the angels ministered to Him.” (Mk 1:13)

Why is this important to point out?  Because I think we can sometimes fall into thinking that Lent is a time for us to be alone in the desert.  I have even heard people recommend that we not tell others what we are doing for Lent.  Perhaps the intention is good, to help us avoid drawing attention to ourselves.  But that can also foster a sense that Lent is about ourselves, our personal journey to conversion, our trying to become the best version of ourselves.  I do not dispute that we should desire to grow in holiness during Lent, but I challenge the notion that it is something we do primarily by ourselves.  Thus the reference to Jesus not being alone in His 40 days in the desert.  We stand to benefit more from Lent when we make this journey with others, not simply seeing it as a desert journey we make alone.  Let me offer some suggestions on how to do this.

First of all, do not conclude that I am telling you not to do those things that are often staples for Lent – giving up candy, going without coffee, giving up social media, etc.  We can still choose these things for ourselves, but let us always be aware that others are on the journey with us.  The people you live with, the people you see at Mass on Sunday, the random person you see at the fish fry on Friday evening – all are part of the journey.  It can be a good practice to make it a habit to pray for our fellow travelers making this desert journey with us.  Ask God to bless their efforts, ask Him to support them and encourage them, to help them grow in love of God and of their neighbor through the practices that they choose for Lent.  It is a good way of reminding us that we are not alone, and we can be consoled in knowing how we are all united in prayer with and for one another as we journey together.

It can also be helpful to choose to do something with somebody else during Lent.  It is like working out at the gym.  It is often easier to be motivated to go when we know somebody is there with us.  In that regard, we are giving you an opportunity to do just that.  Later on in the bulletin, you will see information about joining us for a parish-wide study through FORMED on the Eucharist called Presence.  Each week there is a video to watch and a reflection question.  I therefore challenge you to identify at least one person (and it can be more, like an entire family) to go through this program with, checking in once a week to discuss the video and the question.

Finally, I would like to invite you to consider joining us on Sunday afternoons during Lent at 4:00 pm for Eucharistic Adoration.  At 4:30 pm, we will pray Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours together.  If you have never prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, this would be a great opportunity to be exposed to it.  In addition to the Mass, it is an official prayer of the Church.  Priests and deacons have an obligation to pray these prayers each day, and the lay faithful are certainly encouraged to join in, for this prayer belongs to every member of the Church.  It is another opportunity for us to do something together as we all journey together during this sacred season.

Father Alford     

As we embark on a new journey of faith, and renew our conviction to remain faithful to God, as we are about to enter into the season of Lent this Wednesday with the Ash Wednesday. Lent  season, is a time of conversion, a time for Change, and a time to purify ourselves Let us all renew our conviction to love the Lord wholeheartedly once again, and with the resolve to love one another most generously, forgiving those who have hurt or pained us, and helping one another to grow ever stronger in faith, by living our own lives most worthily and by doing what God has taught and shown us all to do. 

One very long the liturgical season of Lent is with us. Not very long ago, we were celebrating Christmas, then a short period of Ordinary Time and here we are today in Lent! Then after 40 days or so, we shall usher in the Easter period, Pentecost and on we go on our journey of Faith, why all these changes in time? Why could we not just settle down in one season throughout our journey of Faith?

These liturgical Seasons come with their correspondent graces and Implications! These seasons bring about changes. These seasons and changes are somehow disturbing the inner most desire of man to settle down. The older we become, the less enthusiast and willing are we to change. A change is supposed to introduce something New. One of the many ways of our resistance to changes is to make the OLD come in the form of New! Because anything New makes us suspicious! The more used we are to our environment, our way of doing, our point of view of life, the more comfortable we feel and the more we resist to change! In other words, these seasonal changes are sources of conflicts in our lives and since we do not want conflicts we turn down the seasonal graces that comes to us! For this reason, even if and when we say yes to these seasonal changes, in reality, our style of life, our old habits remain intact all round the cycles! If we desire changes, we desire it for others and not for ourselves! Lenten season, a time of conversion, a time of change. What does this mean to you personally and in your community? We all have seasons in our personal lives. Which season are you experiencing at the moment? Are you in rainy season, dry season, Lenten season or Easter season in your life? 

It is only through prayer and regular dialogue with God, that we can acknowledge the various seasons of our lives. Keeping in touch with God, keeping in touch with ourselves would allow us to see God’s presence in the different seasons of our lives. Lent is a period of purification and enlightenment or illumination. To purify is the act of making pure, to purify is to cleanse. The season of lent is a time in our personal lives for new life to appear and for old frozen attitudes to disappear. It a time to clear the ground, to clear away rubbish. A time for sowing so that one day, the day of the Lord, there will be harvest. Lent, a time for penance and Charity renews in us our call to Holiness. We need to dedicate more time for prayer, a prayer that helps us to embrace the demand for conversion in preparation for Easter.  Let us not miss this opportunity to listen to the voice of the Lord inviting us: “Return to me with whole heart, with fasting, and weeping, and mourning, Rend your hearts not your garments, and return to the Lord your God for he is gracious and merciful”( Joel 2:12-13)

Feast Day: March 7th| Mother and Martyr | Patronage: Mothers, Expectant Mothers, Mothers who have lost Sons, Ranchers, Butchers, Carthage, Widows | Attributes: Women standing side by side; Holding Palm of Victory, Cross of Martyrdom; Praying and Singing, Embracing and Giving Kiss of Peace; Attacked by Wild Cow; Halo’s Intertwined; Perpetua holding Sword, holding Son, Dressed as Noblewoman.

Some young catechumens were arrested: Revocatus and Felicity, his fellow slave; Saturninus; and Secundulus. And among these was also Vibia Perpetua—a woman well born, liberally educated, and honorably married, who had a father, mother, and two brothers, one of whom was also a catechumen. She had an infant son still at the breast and was about twenty-two years of age. From this point there follows a complete account of her martyrdom, as she left it, written in her own hand and in accordance with her own understanding.

 “While,” she said, “we were still with the prosecutors, my father, because of his love for me, wanted to change my mind and shake my resolve. ‘Father,’ I said, ‘do you see this vase lying here, for example, this small water pitcher or what- ever?’ ‘I see it,’ he said. And I said to him: ‘Can it be called by another name other than what it is?’ And he said: ‘No.’ ‘In the same way, I am unable to call myself other than what I am, a Christian.’” Then my father, angered by this name, threw
himself at me, in order to gouge out my eyes. But he only alarmed me and he left defeated, along with the arguments of the devil. 

Then for a few days, freed from my father, I gave thanks to the Lord and was refreshed by my father’s absence. In the space of a few days we were baptized. The Spirit told me that nothing else should be sought from the water other than the endurance of the body. 

After a few days we were taken into the prison. I was terrified because I had never before known such darkness. Oh cruel day! The crowding of the mob made the heat stifling; and there was the extortion of the soldiers. Last of all, I was consumed with worry for my infant in that dungeon. Then Tertius and Pomponius, the blessed deacons who ministered to us, arranged by a bribe that we should be released for a few hours to revive ourselves in a better part of the prison. Then all left the prison and sought some time for themselves. I nursed my baby, who was now weak from hunger. In my worry for him, I spoke to my mother concerning the baby and comforted my brother. I entrusted my son to them. I suffered grievously when I saw how they suffered for me. I endured such worry for many days, and I arranged for my baby to stay in prison with me. Immediately I grew stronger, and I was relieved of the anxiety and worry I had for my baby. Suddenly the prison became my palace, so that I wanted to be there rather than anywhere else. [Passion of Perpetua and Felicity, II-III, Translation by Thomas J. Heffernan, 2012].

I want to dwell this week on that little water-pitcher that Perpetua recorded for us in her diary. The word she uses in Latin is urceolum, a small vase or pitcher, and in the Greek version it is σκεῦος, a vessel of any kind or household implement. The phrasing that Perpetua uses belies her familiarity with Platonic philosophy as well as the New Testament. Of course, this ordinary word, is used in an ordinary way for the “goods” of the house protected by the strong man (Mark 3:27) and later to describe the bowl containing the vinegar offered to Jesus on the Cross (John 19:29). However, it is uniquely associated with an individual in Our Lord’s words to Ananias when He sends him to heal Saul (until then a rabid killer of Christians), “Go, for he is a choseninstrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” [Acts 9:15-16]

Just as a water-pitcher cannot be called something other than what it is (“quam quod est”), so a Christian cannot claim any other identity above the one they have received in Jesus. Perpetua was a noblewoman, a daughter, and a mother, but above all these she was a little-Christ (“Christian”), a daughter of God the Father. Jesus had said that “You will be brought before kings and governors because of my name” [Luke 12:12] and so, even when to claim that identity was the only evidence needed to convict her, Perpetua did not hesitate to take Christ’s name as her own. Her own characteristics – her intelligence, nobility, even motherhood – were not of highest importance, but that she was a vessel carrying Christ. “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.” [2 Cor 4:7-8]

– Fr. Dominic Rankin cannot neglect to point out, following after St. Augustine, that these two saints, named “Perpetua” and “Felicity”, point us towards the “Perpetual Felicity” that they have already received from Christ. We will come to know Felicity next time.

The final step in our three-part schema for the spiritual life is to take action.  As a reminder, this step happens only after we have become aware and understood the voice speaking to us.  If we fail to do this, there can be some unfortunate consequences.  Let’s take an example.  You wake up one Sunday morning and you are tired after a short night of sleep.  Mass begins in just over an hour, but as you lay in bed you think: “I don’t really get much out of Mass these days.  I find myself distracted and not terribly interested in the homilies.  This bed is nice and warm, and another hour or two would sure be nice.  Maybe I will just go back to bed.  I’ll make it back to Mass next weekend.”

Perhaps our subject is somewhat aware of the voice that is speaking, but there is not much of an effort to understand here.  The person is experiencing some spiritual desolation, not feeling the closeness of God, feeling sort of dry and tired (physically and spiritually).  If this person would understand that this is what is going on, they would realize that the voice they are listening to is not the good spirit.  Instead, they will remember what St. Ignatius teaches in his fifth rule of discernment:

In time of desolation never to make a change; but to be firm and constant in the resolutions and determination in which one was the day preceding such desolation, or in the determination in which he was in the preceding consolation. Because, as in consolation it is rather the good spirit who guides and counsels us, so in desolation it is the bad, with whose counsels we cannot take a course to decide rightly.

Therefore the person who is paying attention, being aware of what is going on, then understanding what is being said, will more easily take the necessary action, rejecting the suggestion from the evil spirit to just stay in bed, and being firm in the commitment to going to Mass.

As I wrote in last week’s article, taking action really boils down to accepting and obeying the voice of the good spirit, and rejecting that of the enemy spirit.  If the first step of being aware is the most necessary step, and understanding is the most complex, perhaps taking action is the most difficult step.  It is hard for us to act contrary to the temptations and desires that often attack us.  Giving in to these temptations if often much easier, and we like to take the path of least resistance.  But choosing to do the right thing will always be a source of blessing to us.

Let us never forget that this whole process is under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit come to our aid in understanding the truth of what is going on in our minds and hearts.  These gifts also come to our aid to help us to do what the Lord is calling us to do, especially with the gift of fortitude.  Rejecting the bad and choosing the good is not dependent on simple willpower from us.  No, the Holy Spirit generously comes to our assistance to provide the strength we need to act in accordance with God’s will.  

With that in mind, perhaps a good phrase to keep at the ready in our daily life is the simple prayer: ”Come, Holy Spirit!”  As we become aware of the voice that is speaking to us, we call out to the Holy Spirit to come and help us to understand whose voice is speaking.  Then, in becoming aware, we call out again: “Come, Holy Spirit” to strengthen us to reject what needs rejecting and to choose what needs to be chosen.

Prayer with the Holy Spirit, as I have mentioned, is a pathway to freedom.  The more aware we are of what is moving within us, the better we will understand, and that understanding will lead us to making choices that will lead to the freedom the Lord desires for us as His beloved children.

Father Alford     

As we continue to deepen our relationship with Jesus in Holy Eucharistic and meditating on the Eucharistic revival in this year of Eucharist in our Diocese. I would like each one of us to flash back on his/her experience receiving Holy communion for the first time. When I first received the Holy Eucharist, I was overwhelmed and I was excited to receive Jesus in my heart, I felt more closer to Jesus and nourished by His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. I think each one of us have unique experience for the first time receiving Holy Communion. When you receive the Holy Communion for the First time, what a special day for you, your family and for the Church too, and more importantly, you are special because Jesus will be in your heart. You can remember the way you were dressing, girls dressed as brides with veils, and boys dressed as bridegrooms in suits and ties. I am going to share with you three points, and hope that you remember as these points are essential for you not only today but for the journey of living your faith ahead.

Eucharist – Food for the SOULS: you have received the Holy Eucharist, in another word, the Body of Christ. Who is Jesus Christ? You have learned about Him for the last months of your catechists. Jesus Christ is our Savior and King. He offered His life for us. He loves us so much and He wants to be with us forever, therefore before He died, He had a last meal with his disciples, and at that night, He asked his disciples to do what He instructed, that is celebrating the Meal. Eucharist is a Meal. Eucharist is solid spiritual Food. It is important to eat properly every day to avoid hunger pains, weakness, malnutrition, and disease. It is the same with our spiritual life. We need to be spiritual-food conscious if we wish to avoid emptiness, spiritual weakness, vulnerability to temptation, and sickness due to sin. In the Holy Eucharist, we are fed, we are full after mass as we have food. The Food is Jesus Christ body and blood. We go home full, full of spirit, and energy to live out our faith for the whole week. This Food will be your nutrition to live out for the whole week. Also, Eucharist means “Thanks,” attending Mass then receiving the Eucharist is the best WORD of Thanksgiving. Therefore, students/ Children you need to go to Mass every Sunday to receive this special Food, and to thank God. 

When you come up here to receive the Eucharist, the Body of Christ, children, you may be surprised because you cannot see the difference by tasting this little white Host with a round shape. You may think that is only a host, but Faith tells us that is the Body of Christ, because if we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we will believe whatever He tells us is true. At the Last Supper, Jesus instituted His apostles to do what He just did in “remembrance of Me.” This is my Body. This is my Blood. At Mass, With the power of the Holy Spirit, through priest, the little white Host and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, that sounds magic to you, and hard to believe because you cannot see it with you own eyes, right?

But there are things that we cannot use our senses to see, or touch or smell, but it does not mean those things do not exist. For example, can you see or touch, or punch the air? (Wait for a few answers, you can ask a volunteer to come up where you are, and facing the congregation, and ask this question). No, you cannot see, touch, or smell the air but the air does exist. How do you know the air exist? (Wait for a few answers). You know the air exists because you can breathe, thanks to the air we can breathe, otherwise, no life on earth, and we are not here but somewhere else in a cemetery, right? So, we believe and know for sure that the air exists, even though we cannot see or touch or smell, so the Holy Eucharist too, you only see the little Host, but our Faith tells us that, after the consecration the host becomes the Body of Christ, and the wine becomes the Blood of Christ. In Holy Eucharist, Christ present and a little white, round Host is truly Body of Christ. At the consecration, the bread and wine through the power of the Holy Spirit, Transform and become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is not a symbol but Jesus’ real flesh and blood, under the appearance of the bread and wine. When we receive Holy Communion, we receive Christ Himself. The Bread and Wine are no longer Bread and Wine but, Jesus Himself. He is real food for our souls.

Remember that when you receive the Host, the taste and appearance may be the same as Bread, but that is the Body of Christ, the true presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. When you receive the Eucharist, you receive Christ Himself, so be respectful. After receiving it, you pray with Him and thank Him for being in your soul. Talking with him about what is in your heart and telling Him what your desires are and asking Him to fulfill it. Christ is King and our Savior, when you welcome an important guest into your house, your parents and you normally prepare the house very well, cleaning up, set up a nice table, good food….to show your hospitality and love to that person, and you want to impress that person too. So, Jesus is the King, the most important guest that enters your house, the soul today, so we need to prepare our souls too, your soul must be free from sins. It is important to eat good food in order to be healthy and fit. If you eat good food, you will be healthy; if you eat bad food, you will be unhealthy. Eucharist is Food for our souls, we receive the Holy Eucharist, means we receive Jesus Christ, WE BECOME CHRIST. Students/children. Receiving the Body of Christ means you act, behave like Christ. Always remember that from today on, Jesus Christ is in YOU, He lives in your hearts therefore your life must reflect the life of Christ. Jesus Christ loves us and everyone, so you are supposed to do the same things, that is loving others, love your parents, brothers, sisters, and neighbors, behave well in the family, listening and obey your parents and teachers. When you go to Mass on Sunday, you need to stay focus, and behave during Mass, every day, you need to pray, morning and evening before you go to Mass.

Therefore, student/Children, may I ask you a favor? Your mom and dad work so hard for you and for themselves, during the week, sometimes they forget today is Sunday, the Day you go to Mass to receive the Holy Food.  My favor is to please remind your parents to take you to Mass. On Saturday, you tell mom and dad, please take me to Mass tomorrow so that I may have food to eat, to nourish my soul. I want to receive the Eucharist at Mass, so mom, please take me there to fulfil my desire, my hunger.  I am sure that when you request that your mom and dad are so happy and glad to take you to Mass. Am I right, Parents? AND please remember that the mass is not entertainment. The purpose of the Mass is similar to the purposes for which Jesus offered Himself on the Cross. We spend time at Mass to worship God who made us and saves us. So please do come to Mass on Sunday to thank Him and ask Him to give you strength, grace to live the life of Christian, and to pray for favor to fulfill your intentions.  I would like to Invite you all to say this prayer after communion silently. 

Prayer after communion: Anima Christ.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ,
inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ,
strengthen me. O Good Jesus, hear me. Within your Wounds hide me.

Permit me not to be separated from you. From the wicked foe, defend me.

At the hour of my death, call me and bid me come to you That with your
Saints, I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen.

St. Ignatius of Loyola.