Septuagesima Season

A Heart of Virtue

February 9, 2014By Servants Of The Holy Family

5th Sunday after Epiphany 2014

We must remember that, in addition to the frequent reception of the sacraments, we should make use of the sacramentals of the Church. The blessed candle is one of the greatest sacramentals because it is a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World. Votive candles which are lit in the chapel represent our prayer even after we leave.

There are many lessons taught by the readings of this Mass. St. Paul tells us to put on a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. The practice of these virtues will bring us directly to Heaven when we die. Humility is particularly effective in overcoming sins of the flesh. It is only through these virtues and the love of God that we will have true peace.
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Give Yourself Completely to God

February 2, 2014By Servants Of The Holy Family

^{Sermon From The Feast Of The}^{Purification 2014}In this event in the life of the Holy Family, the first procession took place when Christ was carried through the Temple of God. This is renewed by the faithful today in the procession with the candle which represents Our Lord. We see the perfect example of humility in the Blessed Mother, who submitted to the law for sinners, which required ritual purification after birth. The essence of sacrifice is in our heart and mind, not our bodily movements. This is the day we offer our hearts completely to God.
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We the Penitents and Catechumens

February 22, 2012By Servants Of The Holy Family

Ash Wednesday 2012
The time leading up to the season of Lent is to help us follow the example of the catechumens and public sinners of the early Church. The Sundays that comprise Septuagesima take to heart all that was in the mind of these two groups of people.

After God told Noah of His regret for creating mankind because of their rebellion, and after He destroyed the world with the deluge, he sent the dove with an olive branch to make peace with humanity. It is important to remember that God desires not our damnation, but our salvation.

Many people dislike the season of Lent because they are forced to see their true sinful nature. When we see ourselves in this way it should spur us to a deep detestation and a humble confession of our sins. This humility is the recognition of the truth about ourselves.

The principal works of penance are prayer, especially the Holy Mass and mental prayer, spiritual reading, and the gift of alms. If we can overcome one habit of sin through these works, we have made great progress towards sanctity..

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Penance in Charity

February 19, 2012By Servants Of The Holy Family

^{Sermon From}^{Quinquagesima Sunday 2012}There is no question on the Catholic Church’s stance regarding contraception and abortion, despite the attacks of the world on these moral teachings in our day.

We have had St. Paul as our retreat master preparing us for Lent, and now that we have spent this time and know the malice of our fallen nature, we are prepared to perform penances during the coming season in all charity. We will need faith and love to carry our cross with Christ through Lent. This is our chance to do battle with the help of Christ. God will never abandon us.
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The True Origin of Mankind

February 12, 2012By Servants Of The Holy Family

Sexagesima Sunday 2012
We must be on guard against the pseudoscience preached today in an attempt to undermine belief in God. The teaching that the human soul is a more highly evolved version of the soul of a brute animal is false and is in direct contradiction to the teachings of Holy Scripture. The Church has never denied the adaptation of animals to their environment, but there is no proof of evolution as it is taught by the enemies of the Church.

During this season it is important to understand the meaning of indulgences and how efficacious they are for our eternal welfare.
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Never Despair of the Mercy of God

February 5, 2012By Servants Of The Holy Family

Septuagesima Sunday 2012
St. Blaise was a bishop who was arrested during the early persecutions and was blessed with many favors by God. Devotion to him has been very popular throughout the history of the Church and so the Church has devised a special blessing which invokes his intercession.

St. Agatha was close to the last of the martyrs. She was unwilling to submit to sins of impurity under the greatest pressures and even endure terrible torture rather than give up her virtue.

When a woman gave birth under the Old Law, she was considered ritually unclean and because of this she was commanded to submit herself to the temple after one month for her purification. Although Our Lady was not subject to this because of the miraculous birth, she submitted so she might have a greater union with us sinners. It is also the day of the first of the great sorrows of her life in the prophecy of Simeon.

These Sundays before Lent are meant to help us know ourselves. If we put out just a portion of the effort for our reward, which will last forever, that the sports stars put into their victory, we will be sure to triumph over this life.
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Dispel the Darkness of Our Minds

February 2, 2012By Servants Of The Holy Family

Feast of the Purification 2012
This is one of the most ancient feasts in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. God gave Moses the Law which instructed His chosen people to present their children to Him shortly after their birth. Although Our Lord and His Holy Mother were not subject to this law, He submitted Himself freely to it as an example for us. After Our Lord was presented to God, He was ritually ransomed back by His parents through the sacrifice they offered in the Temple. The beautiful sacramental of the candle, which is distributed today, is a means of ridding our souls of sin through God’s grace. As we pray that its light will dispel the darkness of our minds, we must continue to ask for the desire for Heaven and union with Our Lord.
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