sussidio March 2020

   “The new man, recreated in Jesus”

From the WORD of GOD

So then, now that we have been justified by faith, we are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;2 it is through him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God’s favour in which we are living, and look forward exultantly to God’s glory.3 Not only that; let us exult, too, in our hardships, understanding that hardship develops perseverance, 4 and perseverance develops a tested character, something that gives us hope,5 and a hope which will not let us down, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.(Rm5:1-5)
So this I say to you and attest to you in the Lord, do not go on living the empty-headed life that the gentiles live.18 Intellectually they are in the dark, and they are estranged from the life of God, because of the ignorance which is the consequence of closed minds…20 Now that is hardly the way you have learnt Christ,21 unless you failed to hear him properly when you were taught what the truth is in Jesus… 23 Your mind was to be renewed in spirit24 so that you could put on the New Man that has been created on God’s principles, in the uprightness and holiness of the truth… 29 No foul word should ever cross your lips; let your words be for the improvement of others, as occasion offers, and do good to your listeners;30 do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God who has marked you with his seal, ready for the day when we shall be set free. (Eph 4:17-18.20-21.23-24.29-30)

From the DOCUMENTS of the CHURCH
There is only one Spirit (cf. 1 Cor 12:4), but in coming to us he brings with him an abundance of gifts: wisdom, understanding, right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, and awe in the presence of God. According to the Prophet Isaiah (11:2), these are the seven virtues the Spirit poured out on the Messiah for the fulfilment of his mission. Saint Paul also describes the abundant fruits of the Spirit which are ‚love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control‛ (Gal 5:22). The one Spirit distributes the multiple gifts which enrich the one Church: he is the Author of diversity, but at the same time the Creator of unity. Thus the Spirit gives all these riches which, although different, create harmony, that is, the unity of all these spiritual riches that we Christians have. Through the tradition established by the Apostles, the Spirit, who completes the grace of Baptism, is communicated through the laying on of hands (cf. Acts 8:15-17, 19:5-6; Heb 6:2). To this biblical gesture, to better express the outpouring of the Spirit which permeates those who receive it, early on an anointing with perfumed oil called chrism was added, which is still in use today, in both the East and West. The oil — chrism — is a therapeutic and cosmetic substance which by entering the bodily tissues medicates wounds and perfumes the limbs; because of these qualities it is used in biblical and liturgical symbolism to express the action of the Holy Spirit who consecrates and permeates the baptized, adorning them with charisms. The Sacrament is conferred through the anointing with chrism on the forehead, administered by the Bishop by the imposition of his hand and with the words: ‚Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit‛. The Holy Spirit is the invisible gift that is bestowed and the chrism is its visible seal. In receiving on the forehead the sign of the cross with fragrant oil, confirmands thus receive an indelible spiritual imprint, the ‘character’, which confirms them more perfectly to Christ and gives them the grace to spread the ‘good aroma’ among men (cf. 2 Cor 2:15). The Holy Spirit is an unmerited gift, to be received with gratitude, making room for his boundless creativity. It is a gift to be safeguarded with care, yielded to with docility, allowing oneself to be moulded, like wax, by the warmth of his charity, so as to ‚reflect Jesus Christ in today’s world‛ (Apost. Exhortation Gaudete et Exsultate, n. 23).
(Pope Francis, General Audience, St. Peter’s Square, 30 May 2018)

From the WRITINGS of Blessed A. ROSMINI

May the Holy Spirit who descended as fire on the Apostles envelop us totally and purify us in heart and spirit. May he strengthen our wills and enlighten our minds so that we may overcome the temptations of the enemy and accomplish those tasks to which he has called us. When we have run our course and kept the faith, we will claim that just award awaiting us in the treasury of God. Let us pray united together as were the Apostles with Mary in the Cenacle, that the spirit of prayer and of divine love may take abode in our hearts. From this spirit we will draw courage, because the battle though difficult, is brief. Since we fight under the flag of Christ, the victory is certain, the reward eternal and infinite. ….and mutually support one another.
(AL Vol. VII, let. 5, p.7, to Giacomo Lugan, teacher at Cameri, Stresa,17 May 1850)
Think, love, desire and will as God does. Let your life be one with God’s. I cannot desire anything more sublime than this, nor do I desire anything else. In the fulfilment of this desire you will find pure light for the intellect to dissipate the darkness of worldly thoughts, burning fire to penetrate the depths of the soul and detach it from earth, together with joy, peace, virtue and all the fruits of the Comforter Spirit. (EC, Vol. IV, let. 1575, p. 167, to Count Giacomo Mellerio in Milan, Trent, on Christmas 1831)

LET US PRAY

Come, Holy Spirit, send forth
the heavenly radiance of your light.
Come, father of the poor, come, giver of gifts, come, light of the heart.
Greatest comforter, sweet guest of the soul, sweet consolation.
In labor, rest, in heat, temperance, in tears, solace.
O most blessed light,
fill the inmost heart of your faithful…
Give to your faithful, those who trust in you, the sevenfold gifts.
Grant the reward of virtue,
grant the deliverance of salvation,
grant eternal joy. Amen

PASTORAL YEAR 2019 – 2020
ON-GOING FORMATION
INSTITUTE OF CHARITY
ROSMINIAN SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE

37843_bug.jpg