The Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. It will take place from Wednesday 2 October to Sunday 27 October 2024 in order to continue the work of the Synod on Synodality around the theme "For a Synodal Church: communion, participation and mission". The Second Session of the XVI Assembly will be preceded by two days of spiritual retreat, from 30 September to 1 October (with participants arriving on 29 September). ‐‐‐------------- PREPARE SPIRITUALLY What are you willing to do for your family, priests, The Church and the world? What are you willing to do for your dear Blessed Mother? Your dear Jesus who suffered for you? The great fast begins Sat, Sep 14, 2024 and concludes on Easter. Are you willing to STRIVE to fast along with the Carmelites? The Rule of St. Albert states that people should fast every day, except Sunday, from the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross until Easter Day. However, there are some reasons that may exempt someone from the fast, such as sickness or feebleness. One full meal, two smaller snacks. No meat. If you are truely unable to fully do the fast, can you STRIVE to fast as much as you can? To strive and fail repeatedly...builds humility. To not strive leads to evermore laxity, and perdition. Could you choose to eat whatever is most displeasing to you...of that in which you have a choice?
To those who are given much...more will be required. Have you received more than those non-Christians who have not received Baptism? Have you received more than those non-Catholic Christians who have no access to Confession and the Eucharist? Have you received more than those lukewarm Catholics who don't have THE GIFT of a strong, active faith? Have you received more than those have no knowledge or understanding of the times that we are in? Have you received more than those who have little knowledge or devotion to Our Blessed Mother? How much are we, who have been so blessed, willing to give? Do we think it so little...that which we have been given?
The exceptions to the fast are; Sundays, Solemnities, and the octave between Christmas and January 1. And of course charity always overrides... Say your daughter is getting married you would likely (out of charity) sacrifice, by engaging in the meal, cake etc. You still STRIVE to live out the spirit of the fast even if charity or other circumstances do not allow you to physically do so. Necessity knows no law.
St Teresa of Avila teaches that in order to bring others to Christ we must work on our own sanctification first. If we don't reach the last mansions (few do) , we will never achieve even a fraction of what God wants to do with us. We only have one short life, let us not waste it! Ideas to spiritually participate in Our Mother's battle: 1. Daily Mass. The #1 most important and effective. 2. Monthly or weekly Confession 3. Fasting 4. Daily mental prayer. 1/2 hour is a good minimum if able. 5. Rosary 6. Adoration 7. Nightly exam 8. Office of readings morning and evening prayers are a good start. 9. Detachment from pleasures, power and possessions. This is no vauge notion. Only by striving will God finally accept our small efforts and "rescue" us from our own attachments and will. 10. Seeing quiet whenever possible in order to "hear" God. 11. Acts of charity. Love of God and neighbor are critical. 12. Seeking to stand always before the Lord, our God. Live in his presence at all times. 13. Spiritual reading. First and foremost the Bible and in particular the Gospels. Without neglecting reading also the doctors of the Church. 14. Fulfilling our duties proper to our state in life as perfectly as possible. Any others? When we pray the Our Father, do we truely mean the audacious words: Thy will be done?
Thank you! Though it be implied in the above list (no. 11), forgiveness toward those who have grieved, hurt, or insulted us is essential. Grudges are most insidious! Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us!
I read one mystical theologian who described this process very beautifully. He compared the soul to a golden chalice which fills with grace, the wine of the Holy Spirit.At first the graces are about purifying and building up the soul. But eventually the wine of grace fills the chalice and it overflows to save the entire world. So at first the graces are Salvific...for ourselves, but eventually become Redemptive,for the World. We can see this kind of tipping point in the lives of the Saints, especially in those with an active vocation.
Taking this to heart as well. The Great Fast ~ and there's time yet to formulate a plan/gear up for starting on the 14th of the month. The video below pretty much pushed me over to, at the very least, try ~
The top part is the announcement by the Vatican, link here... https://www.synod.va/en/news/the-dates-for-the-second-session-have-been-set.html The rest are my ideas of how we might "prepare" and respond. As a Carmelite these are the normal means (Rule of St Albert including the great fast).
That is awesome. To try.. to strive. Even if we fail, if we don't give up, God sees our intention and "little" efforts, and brings fruit by his action. It is far better than wringing our hands.
Careful with anything posted by Anthony Stein. He's got Francis-derangement syndrome, his only goal in life seems to be to bash Pope Francis on a daily basis. I highly doubt that is the calling of God for anyone.
Thank you ~ I was interested more so in what was said about Pope Benedict and his situation than any bashing of the Pope though. Two separate issues, imho.
I'm going out on a limb here, and guessing you didn't watch the video. It was about Pope Benedict's final situation and a theory about his resignation. It struck me as plausible and gave me a boost in considering the original topic of the post ~ the Great Fast ~ Watch or not....this convo is sidelining the point of the thread.....my apologies for that to non sum dignus....
This is so very true. Sometimes though, actions/behaviour of one may be perceived as a grudge by another, when really it's simply an attempt by a person to avoid an occasion of sin.......especially if there has been a misunderstanding between people.......good will lost is recoverable, but some circumstances may require more time than others......the will to forgive is there and done; the hurt then has to be allowed to heal.....imho, that's when evil likes to step in and stir the pot.......
We are now 13 days from the "spiritual retreat" at the Vatican to prepare for the synod and 15 days to the opening of the synod. Remember the pachamama ceremony in the Vatican gardens that proceeded that synod during their "retreat". Reminding all of Our Lady's warriors to prepare, especially myself. To keep my feet to the fire, I am asking for prayers, and posting my commitment to the great fast which started Saturday, daily Mass whenever possible, at least a half hour of mental prayer, daily exam and Divine Office morning and evening prayer. Rosary whenever possible, and determined striving to remain always in his presence abandoned to divine providence.