Reparation Thoughts
….By His Wounds we are healed
Volume XXIII, Number 12
Dear Donnès of Reparation, Family and Friends,
It was daily Mass and attended by a healthy number of practicing Catholics of all ages. The beautiful Liturgy proceeded as usual. After the Penitential Rite and opening Prayer, the Word of God was read followed by a most thoughtful homily based on the scriptures and feast of the day.
It was the feast of St. Teresa, mendicant and friend of St. John of the Cross and reformer of the Carmelite Order. Teresa of Avila stirred age old practices because time had eroded the initial principles. Wealthy members used their power instead of offering those gifts thus practicing and embracing their vow of poverty. Teresa could not bear to kneel in contradiction before her God when she was called to give all. She desired for the precious, loving caresses to be received through truth of vision and lifestyle. Some followed her and many follow her to this day. Some would call her stubborn but truly hers was a determination to live a righteous life of holiness.
I witnessed such determination this morning. The Offertory and Consecration were completed, and it was time to receive Holy Communion. Father had consumed the Body and the Blood that had been Consecrated. The congregation rose to approach the Communion station. Father lovingly blessed a child with Down’s Syndrome as she approached holding the hand of her grandmother. Grandmother reverently received and the child stepped forward toward the priest. Grandmother tried to get her to move and received a “No” response. The child turned toward the congregation and leaned into the vestment of the priest. She was content. Sister, brother, younger sister, and mother each received Communion and tried to take her by the hand. Each one got “No!”. Dad then received Holy Communion and tried to take the child’s hand. He also got “No!” But like our loving Father in Heaven, he swooped her into his arms and carried her back to the pew. She still cried “No!” yet dad knew what was better for her and all present. Father unwaveringly continued to distribute Holy Communion to the last recipient.
The love which is of God was present in each of these individuals. The priest was a visible person of God to this child, but his duty was bringing Jesus Christ to his congregation. Her loving siblings knew how to help and when to stop helping. Grandmother and mother used their station but also depended upon the father’s authority. The father understood gentility and firmness in executing his office. But, above all, each had utmost reverence for the Most Blessed Sacrament—Jesus in their presence!
All of us are striving toward sanctity and who knows which of us is called to be ‘great’ like St. Teresa of Avila, or ‘little’ like St. Therese of Lisieux? We are also meant to be active family members; some with blood relations; some with neighbors and friends; and some with a community and the Church. Wherever and whoever our family is, we are to be “Christ” to them. They should be able to know more about the love of God through our presence among them. May each day bring us closer in that relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Mother Mary of the Angels, SR
Mid-October 2024
Sisters of Reparation of the Sacred Wounds of Jesus 2120 SE 24th Ave, Portland, OR 97214-5504 www.ReparationSisters.org 503-236-4207 repsrs@comcast.net
This publication is made possible by the generosity of Donnès of Reparation
