The call to become SAINTS in our times

It seems that these days, all over the world, the favorite topic among family, relatives and friends, not to mention bishops, priests, nuns, seminarians, catechists, is the rise to sainthood of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII. More so in the eternal city of Rome where the liturgical celebration will be held on Sunday, April 27, which is also Divine Mercy Sunday. 

We, in the Pauline Family, cannot help but remember with joy and gratitude to God the event 11 years ago on this same day, April 27, 2003, when our beloved Founder Fr. James Alberione was beatified by Pope John Paul II himself after the miraculous cure of Maria Librada Rodriguez, a member of the Institute of Our Lady of the Annunciation (IOLA). 

Talking about sainthood, what Our Father had in mind for us, when He originally created us, was to make us in His image, so that we could attain fully - not partially - to His likeness. In this universal prayer, we ask Our Father to give us, not solely what we need in our daily lives, but also for all those graces needed in order for us to become what He wants us to be: SAINTS.

Celebrating the sainthood of Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII is an opportunity to celebrate that we also have the call to become SAINTS in our times. Therefore it is a time to be thankful for our special connection with them and with all the saints that came before us. 

We ask God through the intercession of our saints to accompany us in our daily journey towards sainthood! 

There is joy in giving: an Easter message

The joy of the resurrection is a joy in giving the life we received from God. Pope Francis has this to say regarding this: “Life grows by being given away, and it weakens in isolation and comfort. Indeed, those who enjoy life most are those who leave security on the shore and become excited by the mission of communicating life to others”. 

As the saying goes, “There is joy in giving than in receiving.” As I reflect on this, I can recall too moments or situations in my life, past and present, when I have also found myself in this situation. Of course, it is true that in giving, sometimes you are misunderstood even by the people you love most and you have to suffer the consequence of your act. But the inner joy comes in knowing that between you and God, you have done it out of love and therefore, He is pleased with you.

We often see great joy in the middle of huge poverty: often the poor can live for the present moment and enjoy it to the full. This doesn’t mean all of life is content and happy if we are poor, but a door opens in our need for the risen Christ to enter our lives and reach others though our lives.

Pope Francis continues, “Let’s not be like Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter”. Having lived through the joyful season of Lent, our hearts are wholly lifted now in joy received and joy given.

Christ is risen! Alleluia is our song!

Happy Easter to all! 

PALM SUNDAY: Love and Betrayal

Palm Sunday, the day that ushers in Holy Week.  The reality is that anything we do for the least of our brethren is seen by God as a beautiful thing. Like Mary, we are anointing the feet of Jesus whenever we give generously. It is a good time to ask ourselves what act of worship we can render Him while we still have the opportunity to do so. 

How we do honor the Lord? Do we serve Him with our time, talent and treasures, even when it is inconvenient for us? Jesus himself gives us a clue when he credited Mary for “doing a beautiful thing to me”. In other words, genuine humble service is what pleases the Lord and makes us holy in his sight.

We may not be aware of it, but there is a Judas in each of us whenever we allow iniquity and transgression into our hearts. Every sin we commit is an act of betrayal of Our Lord. Just as we can do a beautiful thing for Christ when we help the poor, we can be equally as cunning as Judas and plant the kiss of death on Jesus whenever we sin.

As the anointing of Jesus by Mary gives us the right perspective on what is pleasing to God, we must also view the treacherous act of Judas as a favor, because it leads us to rethink and reassess our commitment to God and his presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. This Holy Week is an opportune time to ask whether we are genuine disciples or fake followers.

As we dwell on the life of Christ, we can choose despair and death, or we can choose repentance, forgiveness, hope and eternal life. The betrayal of Judas sent Jesus to the cross, but his death on the cross gave us the gift of salvation. In truth, sharing in the suffering of Christ is an opportunity to reform our lives that we may become pleasing and acceptable in His sight.

This Holy Week presents us with the opportunity to pass from death (sinfulness) to life (salvation).  Are we going to accept the gift Christ paid for with his life?  

Remembering Blessed James Alberione

Today, as we celebrate the birth anniversary of Blessed James Alberione, ssp, Founder of the Pauline Family, may we also feel God’s love for us through his thoughts and particular testimonies said about him. At the same time, may we be inspired in his intimacy with Jesus Master,  Way, Truth and Life. 

Let us recall what our two great popes: Pope Paul VI and Blessed John Paul II said about our dear Founder:

Blessed John Paul II called Alberione as “the first apostle of the new evangelization.” On the other hand, Pope Paul VI had this to say about him, “ Here he is, humble, silent, tireless, contained in his thoughts, which flows from prayer to work, always ready to read the signs of the times. Our Father Alberione has given the Church new instruments to express herself, new means to give vigour and new breadth to its apostolic mission....May the Pope, in the name of the whole Church, express its gratitude."

Let us remember too his precious heritage he left to us through his thoughts. Below are a few excerpts taken from his writings:

"In the morning, therefore, let us place ourselves at the Master's feet and say to Him, 'Jesus, you are the Way, I want to walk in Your footsteps; You are the Truth, enlighten me, You are the Life, give me grace.' "

"Master, Your life maps out the path for me, Your doctrine confirms and makes steady my footsteps, Your grace sustains and upholds me on the journey to heaven."

"No greater wealth can be given to this poor and proud world, than Jesus Christ. The world has need of Jesus Christ Way, Truth and Life."

Blessed Alberione, intercede for us to God in all our needs!