Looking back at the weekly messages of Father Paul Counce, first published in The Carpenter, our weekly Parish Bulletin
Published: March 29, 2020
We are now more than one week into the strangest Lent we have ever experienced. We’re not only mortifying ourselves by the usual increased “prayer, fasting and almsgiving” of this holy season and the personal penances we’ve chosen for ourselves. We’re not only looking forward to Easter joy, aware that the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ has triumphed over sin and death. We’re not only accompanying those seeking to join the Church, helping them to prepare for that blessed moment which is usually celebrated at the Easter Vigil.
No, we are largely quarantined at home. In fact the entire Church is enduring sort of a “fast” from her usual liturgical celebrations, for in this Covid19 virus pandemic it’s dangerous for us to gather for our usual worship, and other works of prayer, fellowship and charity.
So what do we do in this time? Well, first of all, we need to avoid panic and over-reaction. Some worry is natural and normal, but we don’t need to make things worse. The economy may be in shambles and our usual routines disrupted like never before, but with caution and careful allocation of precious health-care resources most people will survive the pandemic. In the meantime, life goes on. One good thing that may come out of this is a renewed discovery of the simple joys of life: sharing family conversations and care, maybe playing some games together, as well as tending to education and chores but at a more relaxed pace, doing some of those things that we have put off too long (I spent last Saturday gardening, and feel mighty satisfied now that my herbs all seem to be liking their new pots!), and so forth.
I’ll admit it: thank goodness for the internet, too. I recommend a very cautious approach to overly-political news and to social media, for they both can overwhelm us. And I certainly prefer reading a real book to staring at a video screen. But still, much opportunity to discover and rediscover good movies, documentaries, music, and more lies just a few clicks away. You can learn a language, visit museums, get ideas for arts and crafts, etc., all online. The absence of our old routine gives us a chance to carpe diem (“seize the day”) and enjoy some oft-neglected projects and people.
But continuing with fervent prayer is also key. Since Mass cannot be celebrated publicly and Holy Communion likely unavailable except as viaticum for the dying, the practice of a “Spiritual Communion” is of great value in the Church. Have you tried it? It’s a beautiful expression of love for Our Lord who is really present in the Blessed Sacrament, and has proven to be a source of great blessing to believers when the Eucharist is not available. In our situation, it can often be joined to a broadcast of the Mass via television or the internet.
Here are the facts. Catholics in the state of grace who desire to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion – but are unable to do so – should unite themselves spiritually to Christ in this way. St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) composed a well-known “Act of Spiritual Communion”:
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.”
But what about being in a “state of grace,” since that too is a pre-requisite for Spiritual Communion? If one has committed mortal sin, the ordinary means of forgiveness is the Sacrament of Penance (confession), and in this “coronavirus crisis” this also may not be readily available. But the Church teaches that those without access to confession always can still be forgiven their sins. It’s done through a conscious effort to ask God in prayer for His direct forgiveness, being motivated by “a love by which God is loved above all else. This kind of contrition is called ‘perfect,’ and obtains forgiveness of mortal sins if it includes the firm resolution to have recourse to sacramental confession as soon as possible” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1452). Just last week Pope Francis himself issued a reminder to the world that this kind of forgiveness for sin is quite proper in the present situation.
An “Act of Perfect Contrition” disposes our soul for Spiritual Communion. Here’s one with very traditional wording, and with the necessary resolution to approach sacramental confession as soon as possible added:
“O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You, and I detest all my sins because they offend You, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your grace, to sin no more, to go to confession as soon as possible, and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.”
For the record, “imperfect” sorrow for sin is the other kind of contrition. It arises out of other, more limited or selfish motivations (for example, from aversion to sin’s ugliness or effects, or from fear of punishment or the other consequences of sin). While it can prompt the good of conversion of heart in time, by itself it is insufficient to obtain forgiveness of grave sins (see CCC, no. 1453).
Well, those are my main thoughts about keeping busy and staying holy during this virus-induced upheaval in our lives. Even though the Parish Office is closed, and we can’t offer face-to-face ministry as much as we’d like, I’m still quite available in any emergency: just telephone 225-387-5928 and follow the voicemail instructions, or, better, use email. The general address is office@cathedralbr.org and you can reach me at pastor@cathedralbr.org.
I really miss seeing you in church!
Rev. Paul D. Counce
