Our Faith – Additional Information

Sacrament of Reconciliation

God’s plan of salvation is two fold. First, Jesus died on the Cross to atone for our sins. Second, we must repent of our sins and receive forgiveness to be reconciled with God.

Jesus gave his disciples the authority to forgive sins; see John 20:21-23. That authority has been passed down from those original disciples to their successors which we now call priests.

In the first centuries, a person would confess their sins in public. Private confession began in the 6th century and the Sacrament of Reconciliation was formalized in 1215. The following is a brief summary of the sacrament.

Spend time alone to recall your sins; an Examination of Conscience guide may help.
Enter the confessional room, and with honesty and sincerity, state your sins.
The priest will assign you penance.
Say an Act of Contrition to express your sorrow and your resolve to do better.
Acting in the person of Christ, the priest will absolve you from your sins.
Leave the confessional room, perform your assigned penance, and strive to sin no more.

Examination of Conscience

An examination of conscience is a prayerful reflection on our thoughts, words, and actions, to identify those times we have failed to live according to God’s will.

It is good to perform an examination each night just before bed. This daily practice brings to mind those opportunities where we can better align ourselves with God.

The USCCB Examinations of Conscience webpage has several examinations to choose from; all based on the Word of God.

Sacrament of the Eucharist

At the Last Supper, Jesus established a new covenant. No longer would we sacrifice and consume a lamb. Jesus would sacrifice his own body for us to consume. He would shed his blood for the forgiveness of our sins.

At every Mass we renew this covenant. Through a divine mystery, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into his body and blood. If we are not able to participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we may pray the following:

Act of Spiritual Communion

My Jesus,
I believe that you are present
in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things
and I desire you in my soul.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
As though you were already there,
I embrace you
and unite myself wholly to you.
Permit not that I should ever
be separated from you.
Amen.

– St. Alphonsus Liguori, 1700s

The practice of praying an act of spiritual communion was first started in the 5th century. It evolved over the centuries and in the 1700’s, St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote this prayer.

Article: A Short History and Theology of Spiritual Communion
Video: The Real Presence in the Eucharist with Bishop Barron
Video: The Mass Explained with Fr. Mike

Sacrament of Matrimony

Video: Why Love is More than a Feeling with Fr. Mike

Audio: Why Love is More than Feelings with Dr. Sri

About the Stations of the Cross

Millions of people make pilgrimages to the Holy Land, to walk the same path as Jesus when he carried the Cross. There are 14 locations, also called stations, where major events of his crucifixion took place. Eight of these are found in the Bible and six were passed down through tradition.

Meditating on each Station of the Cross brings us closer to Christ through his Passion. Those who can’t visit the Holy Land are able to make a spiritual pilgrimage through prayer.

About The Rosary

Pebbles, knotted strings, beads, and other devices have been used for thousands of years by many religions to help people keep track of their prayers.

Jesus said we are to pray constantly. As early as the 3rd century, monks would pray all 150 Psalms every day. The common person would recite 150 Our Fathers using pebbles or a knotted string.

Over the centuries, the format and prayers of this spiritual practice has evolved into The Rosary. The rhythm and repetition of Rosary prayers helps us calm our mind so we can meditate on the life of Jesus.

Video: Where does the Rosary Come From with Fr. Mike
Video: Why Pray The Rosary with Bishop Barron
Video: How to Pray The Rosary with Bishop Barron
Video: The Easy Way to Pray The Rosary with Fr. Mike
Video: The Rosary in a Year with Fr. Mark-Mary
Video: The Rosary vs. The Divine Mercy Chaplet with Fr. Mike

About Mary

When the Angel Gabriel greeted Mary he said “Hail, full of grace.” She was filled with the presence of God, chosen to be the mother of Jesus. Pregnancy out of wedlock meant punishment by death, however, Mary trusted in the Lord and said, “let it be done to me according to your word.”

Mary devoted her life to Jesus. She held him as a baby in the stable, and she held his body at the foot of the Cross. The Bible says Mary is the mother of our Lord and blessed among women for all generations. It is fitting for us to honor Mary.

Over the centuries Mary has appeared to people all over the world where she encouraged various forms of prayer and devotion to her Son, including the Rosary. Through these apparitions, millions of people have come to know Jesus.

About The Divine Mercy Chaplet

Sister Faustina Kowalska was born in Poland in 1905, entered the convent at the age of 20, and died when she was 33.

During her time in the convent, Jesus appeared to Faustia many times and asked her to spread his message of Divine Mercy; no matter what we have done, if we turn to God, he will forgive us.

Faustina wrote what Jesus said in her diary. One thing he told her was how to pray The Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Video: The Rosary vs. The Divine Mercy Chaplet with Fr. Mike

About Chaplets

A chaplet is a string of beads that helps us keep track of our prayers. The beads are a physical and tactile reminder that we are in the presence of God.

There are many chaplets, each focused on a different prayer intention. The most common chaplets are The Rosary and The Divine Mercy Chaplet which have five sets of 10 beads.

Video: The Rosary vs. The Divine Mercy Chaplet with Fr. Mike

About Litanies

A litany is a series of similar prayer requests. Early Christians would ask Apostles and other holy people in heaven to pray for them. There were many prayer formats and lists of saints for these early litanies.

In 595, Pope Gregory the Great formalized the Litany of the Saints prayer. Over time, the list of saints has evolved and different lists are used in different parts of the word for different purposes.

In 1973, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy published a Litany of Saints that is traditionally chanted. In 1987, John D. Becker modified the Litany of Saints to create this musical version.

About Novenas

After the ascension of Jesus, the Apostles and Mary spent nine days in prayer in the Upper Room, until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The word novena comes from the Latin word for nine, and it refers to the practice of praying for nine days, in private or with others.

A novena can be prayers, hymns, readings, or spiritual acts. A novena is offered for a special intention such as healing, discernment, or another special grace. We can pray the novena for ourselves or for others.

A novena can vary in length, from a few minutes to several hours. What is important is not the length, but the sincerity of our prayer.

About Saints

One of the beliefs we state in the Apostles’ Creed is the belief in the communion of saints.

A saint is someone who is faithful to God. The communion of saints is the connection of all members of the Church, including those on earth trying to become a saint and those in heaven who are saints. The Church gives some individuals in heaven the title of ‘Saint’ for their exceptional holiness and acts of faith.

We have pictures and statues of our historical and spiritual heroes to remind us of what they have done and to inspire us to be like them. We may admire and adore these heroes, but we don’t worship them or their statues. We only worship God.

Saints are alive in heaven and are part of our Church family. The Bible says that the saints offer prayers to God; Revelation 8:3-4. Therefore, just as we may ask a friend at church to pray for us, we may ask the saints in heaven to do the same. Saints come from all walks of life and have struggles just like us. Read their stories.

Video: Do Catholics Worship the Saints? with Fr. Mike
Audio: Do the Saints Distract Us from God? with Dr. Sri

St. Kateri

Lily of the Mohawks

St. Kateri, you are revered as
Mystic of the American Wilderness.
Even though you were orphaned
at the age of four,
with a scarred face
and damaged eyesight from illness,
you were esteemed
among the Mohawk tribe.

When you asked to be baptized a Christian,
you subjected yourself
to abuse by your people
and were forced to run away.
You endured many trials
but still flowered in prayer and holiness,
dedicating your life to Christ.

St. Kateri, please pray for me,
that I may know how
to dedicate my life to Christ.
Amen.

St. Blaise

Patron of Throat Illnesses

St. Blaise was a 4th century bishop known for his faith in God and for miraculous healings, particularly healings involving the throat. In 316, when he refused to make sacrifices to pagan idols, he was executed. On February 3, the Feast Day of St. Blaise, the Church offers a special blessing of throats.

Blessing of the Throat

Through the prayers of St. Blaise,
bishop and martyr,
may God deliver all people,
Especially N,
from ailments of the throat,
and from every other evil.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

The Crucifixion and Resurrection

Through his death on the cross, Jesus freed us from sin, and by rising from the dead, he opened the door to eternal life.

The Resurrection proved that Jesus is the Son of God, and that all he said was true. In order to live with him forever in heaven, we must turn away from our sins and do as he commands.

Video: The Revolution of the Resurrection with Bishop Barron
Video: Christ, and Him Crucified with Bishop Barron
Video: Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with Fr. Mike

After the Last Supper, while praying in the garden, Jesus was arrested. He was crucified, died on the Cross, and was buried. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead:

demonstrating the power of God over death,
validating his sacrifice on the Cross for our sins,
and providing us hope for our own Resurrection.

Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!

Sing Twice:
Jesus, remember me,
when you come into your kingdom.