Impressive Faith

[Chris†opher Paul]

I went to a lecture on apparitions last night that my priest gave at our Church.

There was a young lady there that was praying before the lecture started, and she looked so intense and mournful looking at our statue of Christ.

I suddenly felt so inadequate with my own faith and prayers.

I want to be like her.

 

[VOW]

To Souljah:

I had a similar experience.

Catholics love their kids, and they bring them to Church with them. In fact, part of raising your children is teaching them how to behave in Church, and as they get older, explaining what is going on. Some kids act like they've just been released from cages. Others sit quietly, playing with toys or coloring, or doing something that Mom tucked in her purse just for that reason. (I found out the hard way, don't bring little cars when you sit in all wood pews. Those little wheels on the cars make a TERRIBLE racket!)

When my kids got old enough, I explained to them they could ask me questions, fiddle around, play with toys, whatever....but at Communion, that is Mommy's special time to be with God. JUST LET ME BE. Then when they got a little older, I extended that "leave me alone" time to include the Consecration. For the most part, they extended that respect to me, and I was grateful. But when your kids are little, parents need to resign themselves that they simply are not going to get much out of Mass.

I watched a young mother, with her kids. They were SMALL, too. She had at least two or three, and the one I observed couldn't have been older than two. Mommy had received Communion, and was kneeling in prayer. The little boy, obviously, was far too young for Communion, but HE was kneeling in prayer, too. He had his hands folded, and pressed to his forehead. His eyes were squeezed tightly. And he was very, very still. There were people lining up to receive Communion, and crowding his space, yet he didn't open his eyes, he did't move a muscle. He was in prayer with God.

I wanted to commend that Mommy. And I wanted to know how she explained Communion to that LITTLE BITTY kid, in such a way that he knew that was time to talk to Jesus.

My heart still melts at the memory.



Peace be with you,
~VOW

 

[panterapat]

Souljah-

What was the message of the talk about appariations? I was recently at Catholic Familyland and Francis Cardinal Arienze was there.(Formarly prefect for Interreligious dialogue, Roman Curia. He was recently promoted to the office in charge of Sacraments and Liturgy)

He strongly cautioned us about appariations, even ones where you are certain good things are happening. He stated that only appariations which are Church approved, ie Fatima, Lourdes, Akita, Knock etc. are totally worthy of our devotion. These others might be good but might not be good. Even the approved apariations are not necessary but they are nice, he stated. He said that when he wants to go for devotion, he goes where he is absolutely sure Christ is present. He goes to the chapel and the Tabernacle. Here Christ is present and there in NO doubt about it.

In Christ, Patrick