From the Pastor - Walla Walla Catholic Parishes · 2020-06-13 · purification, we might first ask the question, why? The soul has already grown so much! It no longer commits any

St. Patrick’s Monday - Friday… ...... 8:00 am

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Weekend Mass Times

Weekday Mass Times

St. Patrick

Saturday …6:00 pm, 7:00 pm (Spanish)

Sunday……7:30 am, 9:30 am

Sunday.......10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm (Spanish)

St. Francis

Sunday........................ 8:30 am, 9:30 am

Assumption

Saturday ………..….4:00 pm, 5:00 pm

Sunday......................10:30 am, 11:30 am

Ministry

Confessions

On the steps of Assumption 4:30-5:30 pm……..Wed.-Fri.

3:00 pm………….Sat.

Updates

Things may change due to Guidelines.

To stay up to date and be notified of changes,

please text: wwcatholic to 84576

or visit our website at:

wwcatholic.org

Masses are limited to 50 people. You must sign up online to go.

There is a link on our website at: wwcatholic.org If you are unable to sign up, call the office

and leave a message or email: [email protected]

Tri Parish Phone: (509) 525-3310

St. Francis: Ext. 1 Assumption: Ext. 2 St. Patrick: Ext. 3

Mailing Address:

408 W. Poplar Walla Walla, WA 99362

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

wwcatholic.org

Fr. Matthew Nicks, Pastor Fr. Raymond Kalema, Parochial Vicar Fr. Curtis Seidel, Chaplain Catholic Schools Deacon Jim Barrow Deacon Maclobio Robles Deacon Olegario Reyes Maddi Baird, R.E. Director Karin Western, Facility Coordinator / Bookkeeper

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From the Pastor June 14, 2020

Having discussed

the second age of

the interior life,

the Illuminative

Age, we now

turn to the

second and final

great purification

of the soul on the

path of

perfection. This

second

purification is

called the Dark Night of the Soul.

Before discussing the nature of this

purification, we might first ask the question,

why? The soul has already grown so much!

It no longer commits any grave sin and even

venial sin is exceedingly rare and never

premeditated. Additionally, the soul now

experiences infused contemplation, God

directly praying in and through the soul

without any effort on the soul’s part.

Due to this detachment from sin and the

power of infused contemplation, the soul’s

work or apostolate is supernaturally fruitful.

One is doing tremendous work in the name of

God! Hardened hearts are transformed,

smoldering hearts are enflamed, and

enflamed hearts are being divinized. In every

way, the soul in the illuminative stage is

living a godly and blessed life.

Once again we ask, why do such souls need a

further purification? Why must this disciple

be brought into the Dark Night of the Soul?

Ironically, it is precisely because of all that I

have already said.

On the one hand, due to the ease of prayer,

the recognition of the many faults that have

been overcome, the recognition of one’s own

zeal, and the great success in ministry or

service, there is a subtle pride that arises. The

soul is not sufficiently detached from itself:

one’s own aggrandizement, reputation,

success, honor, etc.

On the other hand, the soul has made

authentic progress. Therefore, the soul’s

thirst, which brought it into and through the

first dark night into the illuminative stage,

has only continued to expand and deepen.

The soul thirsts for perfect union with God

even as a parched and barren land thirsts for

the rain or a lover desires to be united with

his beloved on their wedding night. The soul

recognizes that even the slightest sin or

imperfection is an impediment to the union

for which it longs, and which is, at the same

time, beyond its strength to attain.

Therefore, a further Night, the Dark Night of

the Soul. is both necessary and desirous for

one thus advanced on the path of perfection.

Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!

In Christ,

Fr. Nicks

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Natural Family Planning For information on learning family planning methods approved by the Catholic Church call: Scott & Valerie Desomber at 509-524-8000 or Kathy Martuscelli at 529-1020.

Adult Education

Baptism Baptism classes are the first Saturday of every month. Please contact Deacon Jim Barrow at:

[email protected] or call your parish office.

Confirmation & First Eucharist Sign ups are over for this year.

Marriage Preparation

Contact one of the priests at least 4 months before your desired wedding date.

Anointing of the Sick

If you or someone you know is homebound, and wants to receive Communion or the Sacrament of Anointing, please contact your parish office.

RCI A Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

For info. email Roger Williams at: [email protected]

Tri-Parish Prayer Group: Monday Night Prayer Group | meets Monday

evenings at 7:00 pm in the nursery at St Patrick’s. Contact: Loraine Valencsin 529-4378.

Sacraments

If you have a loved one in a nursing home or facility who is Catholic, get them on the list

to receive Holy Communion. Call your parish office for contact information.

Women of Faith will begin reading and discussing the

book Rediscovering the Saints by Matthew Kelly on

March 26- through May. We meet in the St. Patrick

Nursery on Thursdays from 1-3. All women are

welcome. The book is free and may be picked up at your

church. The guide will be provided at the class. For more

info or to sign up, please email Sue Logsdon

at [email protected].

Sacramental Prep & Religious Education K-5 Tri Parish R.E. Director | Maddi Baird R.E. Office, 408 W. Poplar, Walla Walla

[email protected] | 509-525-3310 Ext. 4 Maddi’s Office Hours: Tues. & Thurs. | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Wed. & Fri: 2:00 – 5:00 PM

If these times do not work, please call for an appointment .

Learning about our faith has never been more accessible! FORMED.ORG

Watch from your phone or computer and on Roku! Our Free parish access:

wwcatholic.formed.org

Tri -Parish gardens

Visit the outdoor Stations of the Cross during your Stay

Home, Stay Healthy. They are located at Assumption parish, along stream side. Perfect for encountering Jesus, while

practicing social distancing and

rejuvenating your soul in Gods creation. Garden beds available for the growing season. Raised 4x8 perfect for vegetables, herbs, flowers. Limited availability call Nancy at 509-629-2863 or Karin. Come to nature during this time of social distancing, birds sing a joyous noise, the babbling stream confidently continues its journey in trust. Located at Assumption parish. Remember Assumption parish has an outdoor walking rosary, perfect

Walla Walla Valley Eucharistic Adoration

Adoration has returned to our normal time.

Thursday 12pm - Saturday 12pm

It is at Assumption Parish. Contact an Adora-

tion Captain to sign up.

Praying for the physical and spiritual health of

the faithful and community of Walla Walla.

Please remember to keep atleast a 6 ft. distance from others who are praying. Greg & Sue Fazzari: [email protected]

Mike & Terri Neal: nealfami ly@live .com

Don & Kathy Martuscelli:

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Send Bulletin requests to: [email protected]

THE HISTORY OF THE FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI

The Church celebrates the institution of the Holy Eucharist on Maundy Thursday. Because it is part of the Triduim, when we also remember: the betrayal of Judas, the denial of Peter, Christ's agony and crucifixion, we are not able to celebrate the glorious gift of the Eucharist with the joyful splendor that it is deserving of. It was a humble nun in Belgium, Saint Juliana (1258), Prioress of Mont Cornillon, who first suggested and advocated a special feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament to be celebrated on a day other than Maundy Thursday. She had frequent visions of what looked to be the full moon in brilliant light, while a part of its disc remained black and lightless. Christ appeared to her and explained the meaning of this picture. The moon represented the ecclesiastical year; the black spot indicated the lack of a festival in honor of the Blessed Sacrament.

In 1230 Juliana communicated this to a small group of learned theologians. As her message became publicly known, she had to suffer scorn and ridicule for some years. But the bishop of her diocese (Liége) and some of his canons eventually lent a willing ear to her appeals. A diocesan synod in 1246 decided in her favor and prescribed such a feast for the churches of Liége. One of the men who had supported her efforts in Belgium later became pope. He was Jacques Pantaléon, Archdeacon of Liége. Upon his election to the papal office he assumed the name of Urban IV (1261-1265). On September 8, 1264, six years after Juliana's death, he established for the whole Church that festival in honor of the Holy Eucharist which the saintly nun had proclaimed to be willed by God. Urban IV commissioned the great Dominican scholar Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose the texts of Mass and Divine Office for the new feast. The prayers and hymns that Saint Thomas wrote have enriched the liturgy and are still in use today. It is celebrated the Sunday after Trinity Sunday. Canon Law (944 1,2 ) encourages processions on this day. When it can be done in the judgment of the diocesan bishop, a procession through the public streets is to be held as a public witness of veneration toward the Most Holy Eucharist, especially on the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is for the diocesan bishop to establish regulations which provide for the participation in and the dignity of procession.

Taken from:catholicculture.org & vatican.va

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K N I G H T S O F C O L U M B U S Is God calling YOU to become a Knight? Application forms are available from any

member of the Knights of Columbus. W e b s i t e : w w w . k o c 7 6 6 . o r g

G r a n d K n i g h t : Carl  Ungerecht [email protected] or [email protected]

CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICAS Court St. Cecilia #668 Deanna Smith- Regent 525-1516. Catholic Daughters are women from all

parishes working together to support our local charities through prayer and works. Thank you for your continued generosity! www.catholicdaughters.com

The Walla Walla Catholic Parishes mobile app is packed with features to help you pray, learn, and

interact with the Catholic community. App Features Include: Digital Rosary, Sun. Readings,

Mass Times, Common Catholic Prayers, Order of the Mass, Daily Readings, Liturgy of the Hours,

Saint of the Day, Bible, Catechism, Catholic Media and News Links, Social Media integration, and Push Notifications.

S a n c t i f y i n g t h e A i r w a v e s w i t h t h e T R U T H ! 100.7 F.M. /KHSS

Fi nd th e p ro g ra m s ch edu l e and more at: http:/www.khssradio.co m

This is a fun group full of folks who love G.K. Chesterton. For more information, contact Kathy Wikman, 509 386-7813 or

email: [email protected]!

To get the App | Search in the App Store or Google Play Store for:

Walla Walla Catholic www.ParishSolutionsCo.com/Walla

We can now take specific Mass Intentions for our regular weekend Mass times. Other Mass intentions will also be taken and offered at a daily Mass or at one of the extra Masses that we are

currently having. Those Mass intentions cannot be specified to a particular day.

Mission Statement: The Ti-parish Catholic Social Concerns Ministry is made up of parishioners from St. Patrick, St. Francis and Assumption parishes, who strive, in the light of Gospel values, to raise awareness of and address social concerns in our community and society through word and deed. For more information regarding this column please contact Sue Logsdon at [email protected] The Most Holy Body and blood of Christ (Solemnity) Scripture Quote 1: Out of Love, place yourselves at one another's service. Gal. 5:13 “Genuine love must give. Love impels us to seek good for others, to be vitally concerned about the welfare of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and to pursue a course which will be beneficial to them. Love urges us to give without counting the cost, to give without expecting a recompense or even an acknowledgment. Love discovers that there is more joy in giving than in receiving. That is love's reward.” Abide in

Me by Msgr. David Rosage, page 158. Scripture Quote 2: Whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

CRS states “A staggering 70 million people currently are displaced around the world. One in nine people do not have enough to eat. When people live in extreme poverty, are forced to flee their homes and livelihoods to escape violence or experience chronic hunger and malnutrition, they struggle to survive and reach their God-given potential. Children are especially vulnerable to long-term setbacks when they experience these obstacles. But together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of people around the world.” Email message 6/4/2020 from Catholic Relief Services ACT: CRS Urge your Representative to cosponsor and pass the Global Child Thrive Act (H.R. 4864) which will mandate adding Early Childhood Development activities into US government-funded international programs focused on children WW Mutual Aid Network for Immigrant Workers- many local immigrants are impacted by COVID-19 and your donations of gift cards meet many of their needs. Donations to the WWMAN gift card drive can either be made online through Pioneer United Methodist Church website or write a check to Pioneer United Methodist Church (WWIRC gift card in the memo), 209 E. Birch St. WW CATHOLIC CHARITIES of EASTERN WASHINGTON helps those in need in our own local community and our part of the state. Please be generous with your gifts. BLUE MT. ACTION FOOD BANK is distributing more food than normal due to the pandemic. They can't use your volunteer help at the moment but can use your financial donations. St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army and the Pantry Shelf at First Presbyterian Church all offer food to low income people who meet the requirements through Helpline. Please consider donating to their efforts. END DISCRIMINATION: Pray for the end of discrimination in our country. Reflect on your own attitudes, words and actions regarding how you interact with those unlike yourself. STOP THE VILOLENCE: Pray for the end of the violence committed by a small percentage of those turning out to voice their protest. PRAY FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE PANDEMIC: those who were/are infected, those who have lost employment or businesses, those who have suffered emotionally from the quarantine, those who have given so much of themselves by their service to those in need. Special Intention of Pope Francis for June: Dear Lord, We pray for all who are suffering today. May they find their way in life and allow themselves to be touched by the very Heart of Jesus.

F ounded in 1915 as a spiritual home for Italian immigrants, St. Francis is

a community of Roman Catholics who draw strength and vision from the Gospel and participation in the sacramental life of the Church, inspired by their patron saint’s spirit of humility and simplicity strive to be instruments of God’s peace and reconciliation by serving those in need in the Walla Walla Valley.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

722 W. Alder Street - Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (509) 525-3310 Ext. 1

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday 8:00a.m. – 10 a.m.

Office Manager: Terri Neal

Leave a message at 525-3310 Ext. 1

or email: [email protected]

Terri’s Cell:509-200-1817

St Ann’s Altar Society

Organizations Finance Council: Chair: Dominick Elia, Lorraine Manuel, Andrew Neal, Kevin Magnaghi Pastoral Council: Lisa Cox, Marguerite Daltoso, Tina Deccio, Rosalie Lesko, Claire Valente, Stephen Fausti, Donny Biagi, Chad Kjeldgaard, Tim Pettyjohn

President:

Lisa Cox

Altar Care:

June 20 | Debbie Kleinhesselink

June 27 | Marguerite Daltoso

July 11 | Pat Locati

I f yo u k n ow o f a pa r i s h i on e r

w h o i s s i ck o r i n c r i s i s , ge t u s

t h e i r n am e and ad dr e s s an d w e

w i l l s end t h em a ca r d o f

en cou r agem en t . Ca l l t h e p a r i s h o f f i c e

an d l eav e a m es s age o r em a i l :

s t f r an c i s @ ww cat ho l i c . co m

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR PARISH! Please continue to support your parish through these trying times. Some different options are: • Mail in your donation. • Set up online giving. It is easy and on our new

website: wwcatholic.org

We can now take specific Mass Intentions for our regular Sunday Mass time at 8:30am. Other Mass intentions will also be taken and offered at a daily Mass or at one of the extra Masses that we are currently having. Those Mass intentions cannot be specified to a particular day. Mass Intention 8:30 am Mass June 21| Joe & Angie Locati

SOME FACTS ABOUT OUR PATRON From: fraciscanmissionaries.com

1. His Name Was Originally John At his birth in 1182, his mother had Saint Francis baptized John (Giovanni), after St. John the Baptist. However, when his father, a rich cloth merchant named Pietro di Bernardon, returned from business travels, he renamed him Francis (Francesco) because France was where he made his livelihood. 2. St Francis traveled to Eygypt ,which was Muslim territory, during the 5th Crusade to convert the Sultan Malik al-Kamil. He even challenged the Islamic religious leaders to a trial by fire where he would walk through fire with them to prove the truth of Christianity. Though the Sultan did not convert, Francis and Sultan became friends, and ten years later, al-Kamil freely gave Jerusalem to the Christians.

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Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

2098 E. Alder Street Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (509) 525-3310 Ext. 2

I n 1953, Bishop Charles D. White established the Assumption of the Blessed

Virgin Mary Parish in Walla Walla. The community undertook the building of a grade school. Over the next decade, there were added a convent, the rectory and our spacious modern church. Following the example of our Patroness, Assumption Parish strives to live a sacramental life, witnessing the Gospel, in our service to others.

We WELCOME you to Assumption Parish. If you wish to learn more about us, please fill out the Welcome Card located in the pew racks. OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00a.m.4:00p.m. Wednesday 1:00p.m.- 4:00p.m. OFFICE MANAGER: Mary White Email: [email protected] PASTORAL COUNCIL: Anne Golden, Mike Levens, Patty Konen, Sally Buchanan-Rojo, Jerry Anhorn Jr, Michelle Moramarco, Jon Wheeler, Chandra Hall PRAYER CHAIN: To participate in the prayer chain or if you have a prayer request contact: Rose Brown at 525-2488.

If you are interested in the children’s choir please email or call Olivia Teske at 200-3144.

[email protected]

Expecting in 2020? Assumption Women would love to gift your family with a basket

with baby items including a homemade quilt, a few outfits, diapers, wet wipes, shampoo

and lotion. Give Mary Owens a call at: 525 3697 or Kit Chryst at: 301 0818 to share the good news.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUR PARISH!

Please continue to support your parish

through these trying times. Some

different options are:

• Mail in your donation.

• Set up online giving. It is easy and

there is a button on our new website:

wwcatholic.org or sign up here:

https://osvonlinegiving.com/4582 Holy Virgin of Guadalupe, Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.

We fly to you today as your beloved children. We ask you to intercede for us with your Son, as you

did at the wedding in Cana. Pray for us, loving Mother, and gain for our nation and world, and for all our

families and loved ones, the protection of your holy angels, that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted, we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance. Hear the cries of

those who are vulnerable and fearful, wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing, teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind. Help us to bring the peace of Jesus

to our land and to our hearts. Amen..

TRI-PARISH DIAPER DRIVE There is now a Baby carriage in the back of Assumption Church to make donations of diapers and wipes for Catholic Charities and other agencies in town that are in need of

diapers. It will be there year round. Swing by anytime for a visit with Jesus and leave the diapers in the carriage or bring them with you when you come to confession.

St. Patrick Catholic Church

408 West Poplar Street Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (509) 525-3310 Ext. 3

Office Hours: Mon-Friday 8:30AM -12:00PM 1:00PM - 5:00PM Office Manager: Sonia Muro Email:[email protected] Pastoral Council: Antonio Caso, Salvador Esquivel, Kelly Casey, Steve Droke, Catherine Worden, Monica Gaffrey, Roger Treis.

B orn of the original 1846 Diocese of Walla Walla, St. Patrick Parish

is a culturally diverse community of Roman Catholics who, in cooperation with other Christians in the Walla Walla Valley, strive to worship God, foster spiritual growth among its members, and serve others according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUR PARISH! Set up online giving. It is easy and there is a but-ton on our new website: wwcatholic.org

ht tps :osvonl inegiving .com/4583

Anointing of the Sick If you or someone you know is homebound, and in need of the Sacrament of Anointing, please contact your parish office at 525-3310.

Matt can be considered the patron of men

and women struggling with alcoholism. He was born in Dublin, where his father worked on the docks and had a difficult time supporting his family. After a few years of schooling, Matt obtained work as a messenger for some liquor merchants; there he began to drink excessively. For 15

years—until he was almost 30—Matt was an active alcoholic. One day he

decided to take “the pledge” for three months, make a general confession and

begin to attend daily Mass. There is evidence that Matt’s first seven years after taking the pledge were especially difficult. Avoiding his former drinking places was hard. He began to pray as intensely as he used to drink. He also tried to pay back people from whom he had borrowed or stolen money while he was drinking.Most of his life Matt worked as a builder’s laborer. He joined the Secular Franciscan Order and began a life of strict penance; he abstained from meat nine months a year. Matt spent hours every night avidly reading Scripture and the lives of the saints. He prayed the rosary conscientiously. Though his job did not make him rich, Matt contributed generously to the missions.After 1923, his health failed, and Matt was forced to quit work. He died on his way to church on Trinity Sunday. Fifty years later, Pope Paul VI gave him the title venerable. His Liturgical Feast Day is June 19.

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BAUTISMOS Y PLATICAS PREBAUTISMALES

PROXIMA PLATICA BAUTISMAL ???, 2020 A LAS 7 PM EN EL SALON NATIVIDAD.

BAUTISMOS: PROXIMO BAUTISMO SERA EL 27 DE JUNIO DE 2020. SOLAMENTE 2 O 3 FAMILIAS AL MISMO TIEMPO. POR FAVOR LLAME A LA OFICINA PARROQUIAL PARA REGISTRARSE PA-RA LOS BAUTISMOS.

CATECISMO—2019-2020

Directora de Educación Religiosa, Maddi Baird.

LAS CONFESIONES SERAN EN LA PAR-ROQUIA DE LA ASUNCION EN LA ENTRADA PRINCIPAL. ESPERE EN SU CARRO HASTA QUE SEA SU TURNO. CONFESIONES TODOS LOS MIERCOLES, JUEVES Y VIERNES A LAS 4:30 A 5:30 PM.

Las Misas han comenzado en vivo, pero solamente 50 personas pueden asistir y las que se registren primero en internet sonlas que pueden venir. Si usted no tiene acceso a una computadora, o no sa-be hacerlo, por favor llame a la oficina parroquial. Tenemos diferentes horarios de Misas a las que puede asistir. Estas son las Misas disponibles: los Sábados a las 6 pm y 7 pm y los Domingos a las 10:30 am, 12 PM y 1:00 pm.

POR FAVOR ENTRE AL WEBSITE DE LA PARROQUIA PARA REGISTRARSE PARA ASISTIR A MISA, O LLAME A LA PARROQUIA SI NO TIENE COMPU-TADORA. wwcatholic.org O TAMBIEN EN EL APP DE [email protected].

Horario de Oficina: Lunes, Miercoles y Viernes 9:00 – 1:00 Office Manager: Sonia Muro

Parroquia San Patricio 408 West Poplar Street Walla Walla, Washington 99362 (509) 525-3310

AVISOS EN ESPAÑOL SANTISIMO CUERPO Y SANGRE DE CRISTO

N acida original de la Diócesis de Walla Walla de 1846, la parroquia de San Patricio es una comunidad diversa culturalmente de Católicos Romanos que, en cooperación con otros cristianos en el V alle de Walla Walla, se esfuerza por adorar a Dios, fomentar el crecimiento espiritual entre sus miembros y servir a los demás de acuerdo al Evangelio de Jesucristo.

14 DE JUNIO, 2020

JOVENES DE SECUNDARIA Y PREPA

MIDDLE SCHOOL/SECUNDARIA grados 6–

8 Mary White—525-3310. Las reuniones para

los jovencitos de secundaria son todos los

Domingos de 5—6 pm.

HIGH SCHOOL grados 9—12 Las reuniones

para los jóvenes de high school son todos los

Domingos de 6:30 –8 pm.

INTENCIONES DE MISAS

No se tomarán nuevas intenciones para Misas

hasta que volvamos a iniciar las Misas

normales. Pero cada intención de Misa ya

programada se ofrece en una de las Misas

privadas de nuestros sacerdotes locales, que

celebrant todos los dias! Tenga la seguridad

de que nuesttros seres queridos son recordados

durante estas Misas y se ora por ellos!

EVANGELIO—Jesós les dijo: “Yo les

aseguro:si no comen la carne del Hijo del

hombre y no beben su sangre, no podrán tener

vida en ustedes. El que come mi carne y bebe

mi sangre, tiene vida eterna y yo lo resucitaré

el ultimo dia. Mi carne es verdadera comida y

mi sangre es verdadera bebida. El que come

mi carne y bebe mi sangre, permanence en mi

y yo en el. Como el Padre que me ha enviado,

posee la vida y yo vivo por El, asi tambié el que

me come vivirá por mi. Este es el pan que ha

bajado del cielo, no es como el maná que

comieron sus padres, pues murieron. El que

come de este pan vivirá para siempre”.

(Juan 6:51-58)

CARTA DEL PARROCO 14 DE JUNIO DE 2020

Habiendo

discutido la

segunda era de

la vida interior,

la era

iluminativa,

pasamos ahora a

la segunda y

última gran

purificación del

alma en el

camino de la

perfección.

Esta segunda

purificación es

llamada la Noche Obscura del alma.

Antes de discutir la naturaleza de esta

purificación, primero podriamos hacer esta

pregunta, porqué? El alma ya ha crecido

tanto! Ya no comete ningún pecado grave y

aún el pecado venial es extremadamente raro

y nunca premeditado. Adicionalmente, el

alma ahora experimenta contemplación

infundida, Dios orando directamente dentro

y por medio del alma sin ningún esfuerzo por

parte del alma.

Debido a este despego del pecado y el poder

de la contemplación infundida, el trabajo del

alma o apostolado es supernaturalmente

fructifero. Uno está haciendo un tremendo

trabajo en el nombre de Dios! Los corazones

duros son transformados, los corazones

ardientes están inflamados y corazones

inflamados están siendo divinizados. En

todos los sentidos, el alma en la era

iluminativa está viviendo una vida santa y

bendita.

Una vez más nos preguntamos, porqué esas

almas necesitan de una purificación

adicional? Porqué este discipulo tiene que ser

llevado a la Noche Obscura del Alma?

Irónicamente, es precisamente por todo eso

que ya se ha dicho.

Por una parte, debido a la facilidad de la

oración, el reconocimiento de las muchas

faltas que se han superado, el reconocimiento

del propio celo de uno, y el gran éxito en el

ministerio o servicio, hay un sutil orgullo que

surge. El alma no está despegada

suficientemente de si mismo: el propio

engrandecimiento de uno, reputación, éxito,

honor, etc.

Por otro lado, el alma ha hecho un auténtico

progreso. Por lo tanto, la sed del alma, que lo

trajo a través de la primera noche obscura

dentro de la era iluminativa, solo ha seguido

expendiéndose y profundizándose. El alma

tiene sed de una perfecta union con Dios

incluso cuando una tierra árida y seca tiene

sed de lluvia o un enamorado desea unirse

con su amada la noche de su boda. El alma

reconoce que incluso el más minimo pecado o

imperfección es un impedimento para la

union que anhela, y que al mismo tiempo está

más allá de su fuerza para alcanzarlo.

Por lo tanto, una noche más, la Noche

obscura del Alma, es a la vez necesario y

deseable para uno que avanza hacia el camino

de la perfección.

Alabado sea Jesucristo, ahora y por siempre!

En Cristo,

Padre Nicks