Praised be Jesus Christ! We’re coming into the homestretch of Lent and usually about this time we need a little encouragement to continue (or to start) our Lenten sacrifices. Why do we have to sacrifice? Father Sedlacek asks me this almost every day, and though I tire of his belly aching, I point to the crucifix and try to keep my mouth shut. In all seriousness, what makes sacrifice attractive are the people who lived life generously. For example, I was reading about a boy named Frank Parater who went to Rome in 1919 to study for the priesthood. Sadly, tragedy struck just three months after he arrived, as he died of rheumatic fever. What nobody knew at the time was that Frank had written an “Act of Self-Oblation” just ten days after arriving in Rome (when he was in perfect health). It’s been in constant circulation ever since and is worthy of our attention today: “I have nothing to leave or give but my life, and this I have consecrated to the Sacred Heart to be used as He wills. I have offered my all for conversions to God of non-Catholics in Virginia (his home state). This is what I live for and, in case of death, what I die for. Death is not an unpleasant thing to me, but the most beautiful event of my life. Death is the messenger of God come to tell us that our novitiate is ended and to welcome us to real life. Melancholic or morbid sentimentality is not the cause of my writing this, for I love life here, the College, the men, and Rome itself. But I have desired to die and to be buried with the saints. I dare not ask God to take me lest I should be ungrateful or be trying to shirk the higher responsibilities of life; but I shall never have less to answer for- perhaps never be better ready to meet my Maker, my God, my All. Since I was a child I have desired to die for love of God and for my fellow man. Whether or not I shall receive that favor I know not, but if I live, it is for the same purpose: every action of my life here is offered to God for the spread and success of the Catholic Church in Virginia. I have always desired to be only a little child, that I may enter the kingdom of God. In the general resurrection I wish to always be a boy and to be permitted to accompany Saints John Berchmans, Aloysius, and Stanislaus as their servant and friend (all three died young). Do we serve God and man less worthily by our prayers in heaven than by our actions on earth? Surely it is not selfish to desire to be with Him Who has loved us so well. I shall not leave my dear ones. I will always be near them and be able to help them more than I can here below. I shall be of more service to my diocese in heaven than I could ever be on earth. If it is God’s holy will, I will join him on Good Friday, 1920, and never leave him more – but not my will, Father, but thine be done! Frank died on February 7th, 1920 and his cause for sainthood was opened in 2001. While I was in Rome each year on the feast of All Souls we made the trek to the cemetery of Campo Verano. There we prayed at the tomb of Frank Parater, asking for a share of his sacrificial spirit that we might serve God and His people as well in life as Frank had in death. Speaking of death, have you discovered the spiritual freedom accessible through fasting? While we’re only required to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, we really need to fast more often if we’re ever to experience the spiritual effects it wins for us and others. Fasting is a sacrifice that unites us more deeply to Jesus, who denied Himself so much that we might have eternal life. I’ve mentioned livethefast.org and I can vouch for their bread as substantial and up to the challenge of helping us fulfill our daily duties. At some point I’d like to share some recipes so you can make your own. The fact is, fasting and prayer are the two most effective weapons in the spiritual life. As a parish, let’s pray for the grace to imitate Jesus in His sacrificial life so that we will be open to the graces He wants to give. Who knows, maybe we can even talk Father Sedlacek into living more for Jesus!
Where there is great love, sacrifice is possible – please give us Your love, Jesus!
Your friend in Christ,
Father Martin
Where there is great love, sacrifice is possible – please give us Your love, Jesus!
Your friend in Christ,
Father Martin
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