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The Canticle November 2023 - under construction
Next Gathering
Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023 at 2:15-4:30 PM
*2nd Sunday*
Fraternity website:
www.dmfofs2.com
Reflections:
www.franciscanreflections.com
Council Members
(exp. Feb. 13, 2025)
Minister: Joanne Giordano, OFS
Vice-Min., & Treas.: Jean McGovern, OFS
Secretary: Virginia Davis, OFS
Formation Director: Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Councilor:
Webmaster & Canticle ed. Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Meeting Schedule
2:30 Opening, Reports, etc. (All times are approximate)
2:50 Formation (Fred): Ch. 24. "The Gift of Work", p. 258-267 in
the Franciscan Journey, Upd. version.
3:40 Social
4:05
Liturgy of the Hours: Evening Prayer
4:35 Closing prayers, Dismissal. Council Meeting & Cleanup.
We attend the
5:00 pm Mass together.
St. Patrick's Rm. will be open at 1:30 pm [set up].
Link is for Chapter 24 on the Juan Padillo OFS Regional Website.
November is dedicated to the Holy Souls in Purgatory
St. Pius of Pietrelcino (Padre Pio) prayed for the Souls in Purgatory all the time.
One way of maintaining fellowship with our loved ones is to pray for them. The Bible tells us that “to pray for the dead” is “holy and pious” (2 Macc. 12:44-45).
“Our prayer for them is capable not only of helping them, but also of making their intercession for us effective.”
Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let your perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace, Amen. May their souls and all of your faithful departed, rest in peace, Amen. (Pope Francis in Amoris Laetitia 277)
Thanksgiving November 23, 2023
Divine Mercy Fraternity gathers monthly, Second Sunday 2:00 PM (Apr-May: Third Sunday), St. Helen Church, St. Patrick’s Room in Vero Beach, FL
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- November - Franciscan Saints & Blessed
- 04 St. Charles Borromeo 1538-1584
- 07 St. Didacus of Alcala c. 1400-1463
- 08 Blessed John Duns Scotus 1266-1307
- 13 St. Frances Xavier Cabrini 1850-1917
- 14 St Nicholas Tavelich
- 17 St Elizabeth of Hungary 1207-1231
Bl. Joan of Signa (d.1307) - 18 Blessed Salome 1201-1268
- 19 St. Agnes of Assisi
- 26 Blessed Delphina of Glandeves (d.1358
- 27 St. Francis Anthony Fasini
- 28 St. James of the March
Pray for the Souls in Purgatory
On November 2nd, we are reminded of the souls in Purgatory. The Catholic Church calls our attention to the importance and our obligation to pray daily, offer sacrifices, for all those who have died. Nowadays, during wake services and/or church funerals, the priest or clergyman is apt to say that the recently departed went straight to Heaven. Well, that is certainly what we all wish to hear about our dearly beloved, but it probably isn't so. There is a good likelihood that we will all end up in Purgatory first. So, what is Purgatory? The answer is found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in paragraphs 1030-1032.
"1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."
"1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent...."
"1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."
“From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them."
So, Purgatory is a state of purification, to prepare a soul for union with God. None of us will be ready for that, as God is so sublime, that we do not now know what He is like, except what we have learned from the Saints. God wants every human being to be a part of the "body of Christ" not in some earthly way, but in a deep spiritual reality that cannot be defined until we are made ready for this state in our existence.
Many older Catholics remember the insistence of the Church to pray fervently for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, yes - these souls are Holy, because they will go to Heaven - they are being prepared, purified, so we pray in Psalm 130,"De Profundis" (Text from the Raccolta):
"Out of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive: to the voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark our iniquities: O lord, who can abide it?
For with Thee there is mercy: and by reason of Thy law, I have waited on Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath waited on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord. From the morning
watch even unto night: let Israel hope in the Lord.
For with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him is plenteous redemption.
Divine Mercy Fraternity gathers monthly, Second Sunday 2:00 PM (Apr-May: Third Sunday), St. Helen Church, St. Patrick’s Room in Vero Beach, FL
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And He shall redeem Israel: from all his iniquities.
Continued from pg. 2.
Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.
And let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace. Amen.
V. Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come unto Thee.
Let us pray.
O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful; grant to the souls of Thy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that by our devout supplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.
V. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.
R. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
V. May they rest in peace.
R. Amen.
These are the traditional prayers for the Holy Souls in Purgatory, and I recommend you use them again, and again. Also praying the Rosary is very effective.
Please pray for the Souls in Purgatory, each and every day.
May God bless you,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
10/9/2023
Advent (Liturgical Year B)
Advent is the time to let the light of the world shine in. It is a time of hope, of expectation as Christmas is coming. During Advent we're introduced to a Woman, Mary, and to the Angel Gabriel who greets her with the words: "Hail, full of Grace! The Lord is with you." And Mary replied at the end of Angel Gabriel's message "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your Word." Mary was humble and obedient to God's Will.
As we experience with great hope the First Sunday of Advent and listen to the Gospel, we find that the focus is on the time of redemption (Mark 13:24-37). "But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, v. 24; and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken., v. 25; Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory. V.26; “Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. “
These words tell us that we better get in shape! Love the Lord, and stop loving yourself. Get away from worshipping the flesh and material things, and then begin to live frugally, and in a State of Grace. Don't assume that God's mercy will automatically get you into the promised land. We know He is most merciful and that he loves us far more than many love Him, but nobody knows the outcome of the final judgment. We just pray that He will spare us all. So be prepared. And, if you will be living in the last days, and you are in a state of Grace, He will tell you "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
A daily or weekly examination of conscience will lead to a more meaningful reconciliation experience when one could identify trends in our life and behavior which can stand improvement. Then, also try to attend daily Holy Mass during this time of preparation and maybe try to make that a permanent part of your morning.
Do something meaningful for your family to remind them of the Advent season. Acquire an Advent wreath with four candles and light one each Sunday morning. Have a member of the family read a little prayer as the candle is being lit. Pray for the integrity of your family, for health, for anything that needs prayer. The old adage "Families who pray together, stay together," is true. Make prayer a regular occurrence in your family with your children (single people can join a prayer group or pray alone.) Prayer is a conversation with God! Also read about the significance of the Jesse Tree.
•••
Divine Mercy Fraternity gathers monthly, Second Sunday 2:00 PM (Apr-May: Third Sunday), St. Helen Church, St. Patrick’s Room in Vero Beach, FL
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A beautiful image of Pope St. John Paul II. Not sure who photographed it, but it is on the Internet. I copied it at least 12 years ago, and of course, I can’t recall its source. /fss
Charles Joseph Wojtyła was born in 1920 in Wadowice, Poland. After his ordination to the priesthood and theological studies in Rome, he returned to his homeland and resumed various pastoral and academic tasks. He became first auxiliary bishop and, in 1964, Archbishop of Krakow and took part in the Second Vatican Council. On 16 October 1978 he was elected pope and took the name John Paul II. His exceptional apostolic zeal, particularly for families, young people and the sick, led him to numerous pastoral visits throughout the world. Among the many fruits which he has left as a heritage to the Church are above all his rich Magisterium and the promulgation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church as well as the Code of Canon Law for the Latin Church and for the Eastern Churches. In Rome on 2 April 2005, the eve of the Second Sunday of Easter (or of Divine Mercy), he departed peacefully in the Lord.
On Sunday, October 22nd, we celebrated the feast day of our beloved Pope, Saint John Paul II. The OFS in the Philippines, made this wonderful display, (left, or top, depending on media used). The yellow/white background is the Vatican flag.
I strongly believe in the concept of giving “a personal witness” in whatever situation you find yourself in: that’s our form of Evangelization that works best.
“Evangelization means bringing the Good News of Jesus into every human situation and seeking to convert individuals and society by the divine power of the Gospel itself. At its essence are the proclamation of salvation in Jesus Christ and the response of a person in faith, which are both works of the Spirit of God.”
