MAGNIFICAT, Gentle Woman, Mother of Mercy Chapter at 2520 Vestal Parkway East PMB 130, Vestal, NY 13850 US - Fr. Scallon's Appeal for Prayer and Reparation

We are ...conscious of the great crisis affecting the church at its highest level, namely its Bishops and priests. ...I would like to appeal to you to begin < a  >  work of spiritual combat.  In order that the church be delivered from this evil, I urge you to pray that Jesus who "lives always to intercedede for us" (Heb.7:25) would present our prayers and good works to the father.

The Meaning of Reparation

We sin, when through willful thoughts, desires, actions or omission, we violate the law of God. Sin wounds the sinner, our neighbor and the whole church. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, our sins are forgiven, but the eeffect of our sinfulness remains. Through penance we show our sorrow and our willingness to make reparation to God, to implore his mercy and forgiveness upon ourselves and on the Church. People sometimes find the concept of reparation difficult to grasp. A simple example may help. Suppose you rear-end someone's Mercedes in Traffic causing a couple of thousand dollars' worth of damage. You may tell the owner that you are sorry and he may accept your contrition. That, however, would not be enough. The car will have to go to the body shop where it will be made as good as new again; and you or someone else, would have to pay for it.  That is reparation.

How to Make Reparation

We can do this through prayer, penance, and good works. We present ourselves humbly before God, begging his forgiveness and Mercy. Reparation appeases the justice of God. It is a work of mercy which helps the living and frees souls from Purgatory.  It brings salvaltion to those who are in rebellion against God and the Church.

Ways of Making Reparation

1. For ourselves, we make reparation through regular recourse to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

2. Through prayers of reparation for ourselves and others. A good example of the prayer can be found in the book of Daniel 9:3-19.

3. Have Masses of reparation offered for the specific intention.

4. Try to get your priest to celebrate these Masses for the people of your parish.

5. Call on our Lady of Fatima to pray for us and for our intention.

6. Pray more earnestly, fast and care for the poor.

7. Pray for one hour before the Blessed Sacrament and involve others in doing the same.

8. Go on Pilgrimage.

Prayer changes things in ways that nothing else can and the prayer of reparation and repentance can accomplish great change. As we come before God seeking his mercy and healing regarding the wounds of the young and the sinfulness of some priests, we should have great confidence in his merciful forgiveness. All of these prayers we place in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, our Mother.

Conclusion

I often recall the words of our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II some years ago when he said "now is the time for the Pope to suffer". From then on his health went into a steady decline though his mind and spirit soared.  When I look at him now it is easy for me to see Christ on the cross. I remembered this when I recently read this fascinating quotation from the book Wherever He Goes by Pere Dominique Phillippe O.P. He describes Jesus in his final week of life. He says, apart from prayer, Jesus remains silent even on the cross. He writes, The church places herself on the cross today in order to save humanity; for the church is bound to the fate of Christ.  She. therefore, accepts to live out the agony, the cross, and the sepulchre...this is a great mystery.  The silent church is the church in the sepulchre.  Even where the church is not properly the 'silent church' she hangs on the cross.  She hangs on the cross with all the discordant voices making themselves heard, so that many of the faithful no longer know where to go: one group here saying this, others over there saying something else... And everyone asking where is the truth? There were similar discordant voices at the cross".

Perhaps this is the way it has to be and that in our country, the church is now hanging on the cross. The church is held up before our eyes, upon the cross. What then is the crucified Christ saying to us Catholics today? I believe he is calling us to prayer, to penance, and to reparation. He has even sent his Mother to Medjugorje to bring us this very message. Always he looks on us with all the love of his Sacred Heart and his Divine Mercy. He gives us his mother to intercede for us. If indeed the Church is on the cross, we know that Resurrection is near, and with resurrection a new springtime. Thank you for your patience and may the Lord continue to overshadow you with the Spirit as he did our Blessed Mother. Magnifcat anima mea dominum.

(Romans 8:28ff)

Rev. Kevin J. Scallon, C.M.

April 24, 2002

(Webmaster's Note:  Father Kevin Scallon has recorded a Rosary of Healing with well-known catholic recording artist Dana. In this Rosary, he leads us in contemplative prayer. We ask Jesus to heal us as we join our prayers with those of His Mother. Dana sings "By His Wounds I have been healed, He has set the captives free. My eyes can see my Saviours love for me." You may purchase this tape locally at Our Lady of Fatima Bookstore, Lewiston NY or at Irish Records International  )