First Friday Holy Hour - August 2024 - First of all devotions, most pleasing to God, most useful to ourselves

 Yesterday, we celebrated the feast day of St. Alphonus Ligouri patron saint of Moral Theology. In addition to his contributions to Moral Theology and founding the Most Holy Congregation of the Redeemer (the Redemptorists) St. Alphonus Ligouri was a prolific writer about the Eucharist. It is said that he discovered his vocation during one of his many hours adoring Our Lord in Eucharistic Adoration.

He wrote, “Certainly amongst all devotions, after that of receiving the sacraments, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament holds the first place, is the most pleasing to God, and the most useful to ourselves.” 

“Oh, how sweet a joy it is to remain with faith and tender devotion before the Eucharist, and converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who is there for the express purpose of listening to and graciously hearing those who pray to him.”

“There it was (in Eucharistic Adoration) that St. Francis Xavier found refreshment in the midst of his many labours in India; for he employed his days in toiling for souls, and his nights in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.  St. John Francis Regis did the same thing; and sometimes finding the church closed, he endeavoured to satisfy his longings by remaining on his knees, outside the door exposed to the rain and cold so that at least at a distance he might attend upon his Comforter concealed under the sacramental species.  St. Francis of Assisi used to go to communicate all his labors and undertakings to Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament.”

I could go on and on. But let’s go back to that first quote. “Certainly, amongst all devotions, after that of receiving the sacraments, that of adoring Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament holds the first place, is the most pleasing to God, and the most useful to ourselves.”

He makes three claims there. Let’s briefly unpack each. First, he claims that Eucharistic adoration is the first among all other devotions. This is because this devotion directly focuses on Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. We aren’t merely recollecting something Jesus said or did. Our senses, physical, emotional, and spiritual are directly focuses on Him. He is here. 

Alphonsus then claims that this devotion is most pleasing to God. This act of faith, love, and devotion is highly pleasing to God because it demonstrates a willingness to draw close to Him and to honor His presence in a special way. God desires intimate communion with His people and here we draw close to Him, fulfilling God’s desire for us to be with Him and He with us.

Lastly, St. Alphonsus considers this devotion most useful to the faithful because of the graces that flow from our time with Jesus—the master and teacher. It’s here that we learn to listen to the quiet voice of Jesus who pierces through the noise of our lives. It allows us to enter into that silence which is astoundingly rich, utterly alive, and enormously instructive.

Alphonus writes, “You may be sure that of all the moments of your life the time you spend before the divine Sacrament will be that which will give you more strength during life and more consolation at the hour of your death and during eternity."

May our time this evening bear fruit for eternity, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

January 4 2019 - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton - Catholicism Changes Lives

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton was from a wealthy Episcopalian family in Manhattan, New York. In 1794, Elizabeth married William Seton, with whom she had five children.  Unfortunate circumstances led to the family losing their wealth, and having to go stay with some Catholic friends in Italy.  Even more unfortunate is that her husband died of Tuberculosis after just six weeks in Italy. 

In that time of great loss, the compassion her Catholic friends showed her brought her great comfort. She began to notice a great difference in the way that the Catholic families in Italy dealt with death and the protestants back in new York—she witnessed how deeply the Catholics were nourished by the Sacraments, by their prayer, and by the company of the Saints.

Elizabeth began to feel very attracted to the Catholic faith and especially to the Eucharist. She also began to love the Blessed Mother for the first time in her life. Despite stern opposition from her Episcopalian friends, she became Catholic on March 4, 1805. 

Here’s a woman who became Catholic and ultimately a saint because she was treated with great kindness by Catholics at moments of great tragedy—Catholics who were simply living their faith with deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin. 

Elizabeth went on to work for the conversion of souls as the foundress of the first religious congregation having its origin in the United States—the Sisters of Charity.   She basically founded the Catholic School System in the United States.

A wife, mother, widow, impoverished single-mother, convert, religious foundress, educator, social minister, and spiritual leader, Elizabeth Seton was the first person born in the United States to become a canonized saint. How many millions and millions of lives were changed, because ordinary Catholics took in a friend in need, and encouraged a grieving widow. And it was because those Catholics allowed the sacraments and devotions of Catholicism seep into their bones.

May this first canonized Saint native to the United States help us to come to the aid of those God brings into our lives, to witness by lives of Christian Charity to the truth of the Gospel of Christ for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That all Christians may grow in charitable attentiveness to the needs of the poor in our midst.

That all those searching and longing for Christ may find him through the witness of His Holy Church.
Through the intercession of Mother Seaton, that all teachers, may share their knowledge with gentleness, patience, and concern for their students. 

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord