Confession Times
Information about confession times and days and how to make a good confession.
From the Friars: Our Mother in Heaven
The Friars in our Community usually set aside a week in late summer to go on their annual ‘home-visit’. My mother, God rest her soul, used to cherish this annual event and would do her best to make sure I was well fed with excellent home-cooked meals. Current home visits unfortunately are nothing like what they used to be, for the simple fact that the one person who ‘Made’ the home what it was, is gone. My ‘orphan’ siblings and I no longer gather as a family for meals and there regrettably lies a subtle disconnection between us. Where there is a lack of connection there is invariably a lack of joy. Life goes on as distractions multiply and we drift communally and spiritually.
It makes me reflect upon what it must have been like when the apostles and early disciples were no longer supported by Our Lady’s physical presence and motherly support. I think this would have been most difficult for John, at least on a natural level, who per our Lord’s request “took her to his own home.” (Jn 19:27). In a tradition that dates back as far as the 4th or 5th century, when St. Thomas was the only apostle not present (sound familiar?) at Mary’s dormition or ‘falling asleep’, he requested that the tomb be opened. His request was granted but all that remained in the tomb were an abundance of fresh flowers. Another tradition is that Our Lady purposely dropped the sash from around her waist as she was assumed up to heaven for said apostle’s keeping.
The Assumption of Mary, the Solemnity which we will celebrate on Saturday, August 15th, was officially declared dogma in the Church by Pope Pius XII on November 1, 1950 : “the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”
While the Church leaves open the question whether or not Mary experienced actual physical death, we her children can rejoice that she, who is the new Eve, mother of the living, enjoys now what the whole Church is destined to be.
While the Church today may regrettably experience disconnection and even division in its members, we are not left as orphans, but have a loving mother constantly interceding for us until we one day experience as one body the glory of her Son’s resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Ave Maria!
Br. Pio