21 June 2013 Indulgences The invisible unity of the Church has many visible expressions. A privileged moment of that unity takes place in the sacrament whose name is precisely Communion, in that august Sacrifice which is the same all over the world. One is the priest who offers it, one the Victim, one the people who also offer it, one the God to whom it is offered, and one the result of the offering. The one bread makes us one body, though we are many in number; the same bread is shared by all. (cf 1 Cor 10:17) Just as yesterday that bread was a handful of separate grains of wheat, so too, Catholics, in the measure of their unity with Christ, are fused into one body, although their circumstances are very different. “In the Sacrament of the Eucharistic Bread, the unity of the faithful is represented and reproduced.” (Second Vatican Council, “Lumen Gentium”, 3) The sacrament of charity (St Thomas, “Summa Theologiae”, III q73, a3), it presumes unity among the brethren. It is also a truth of faith that the same interchange of spiritual benefits exists between the faithful who make up the Church triumphant in heaven, the Church suffering in Purgatory and the Church militant on earth. We can commend ourselves to, and so receive help from, the saints in Heaven (canonized or not), from the angels, from the souls who are still being purified in Purgatory (and we can help them to alleviate their burden) and from our brothers and sisters who, like us, are still on pilgrimage towards our ultimate homeland. When we fulfil the pious duty of praying and offering suffrages for the souls of the faithful departed, we must take particularly into account those with whom we had stronger bonds on earth: parents, brothers and sisters, friends, relations. They count on our prayers. The Holy Mass is also the best suffrage we can offer for them. The doctrine of indulgences is based on this dogma of the Communion of Saints. Through indulgences the Church administers the graces gained by Christ, Our Lady and the Saints. Under certain conditions, the Church avails of these graces to forgive punishment due our sins and for what the souls in Purgatory need. This doctrine on the exchange of spiritual benefits is a great stimulus for us to fulfil our duties faithfully; and to pray devoutly, knowing that all our tasks, sicknesses, difficulties and prayers are an immense help to others. Nothing we do with rectitude of intention is ever lost. “‘The more my faithfulness increases, the better will I be able to contribute to the growth of others in that virtue.’ How good it is to feel supported by each other.” (St Josemaria Escrivá, “Furrow”, 948) If we keep in mind that someone is interceding for us at this moment, and that another will be hoping for our prayer to overcome a bad situation; or to decide to stay closer to Our Lord, we will be inspired to practise our Faith more deeply. Ref: Cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 2:415-6 Meekness Our Lord chose to join meekness and humility on the same page of the Gospel. Recall his friendly, clear words: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Mt 11:29) Meekness and humility are two virtues which should always be in our heart, two sisters who live the same life, two precious metals which fuse perfectly: one remarkable for its solidity, the other with a rare splendor. Two very positive and very virile aspects of our interior life, for by humility we win God’s heart, and by gentleness we attract and win over the hearts of our brothers. We all need this virtue very much, because life is a continuous relationship with other people, an opportunity for encounters of all kinds. Families, brothers, friends, social and professional relationships; superiors, peers, subordinates. That is where the Lord is awaiting you. In all these circumstances your Christian meekness should shine. If you are able to anoint your character with these virtues, your heart will become like Christ’s. We tend to think it is better and easier to do good by being noisy and bossy; that education is achieved by threats; that respect is obtained just by raising one’s voice. What room is left in our life for Christian meekness? Why did Jesus recommend it in the Gospel? How often has experience taught us that corrections and reproaches, made without human meekness, have closed the heart of the person who should have received them. This should help us remember that, when we cease to be a father, brother or friend to our neighbor, every word that leaves our lips is ignored. Try always, through Christian meekness to hold the hearts of whomever divine providence has placed beside us and given us to look after. If we lose men’s hearts, it will be difficult to bring light to their minds and get their wills to follow the path we show them. You who feel on your shoulders and in your heart responsibility for other souls the weight of other lives: never forget that trust cannot be imposed; it must be inspired. And without the trust of people around us, who work with us and who serve us, how bitter life will be and fruitless. Let us not forget that our Lord promised his effectiveness to friendly faces, cordiality, good manners and persuasive words which direct and form without wounding. We ask Mary, sweet Mother: ‘Turn your eyes of mercy towards us.’ Under the gaze of so affectionate a Mother, we will understand very well the value, need and efficacy of Christian meekness. Ref: Cf Salvatore Canals, “Jesus as friend”, 1981, pp40-43 • Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo in Egypt, where is seen a miraculous fountain which Our Lady obtained by her prayers, when she fled there with the Holy Family; and it is held by tradition, that there she washed the swaddling clothes of the Infant Jesus. — Triple Couronne, n. 5. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; www.bethlehemobserver.com) • Our Lady of Matarieh, at Grand Cairo, Egypt. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www/divinewill.org/feastsofourlady.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html); (www.miraclehunter.com/marian_apparitions/calendar/index.html); (http://mariedenazareth.com)