![]() ![]() The Divine Office pulls us into the life of the Trinity in a unique way. Through this constant diet of Sacred Scripture not only does God speak in his Word to us, not only do we contemplate over and over again the central mysteries of salvation, but our own lives are gradually attuned to this rhythm, and we meditate again and again on the history of Israel, recapitulated in Jesus, that is also the saga of our own spiritual odyssey. No other form of prayer is so rooted in the mysteries of salvation history as they are unfolded day by day in the Church’s annual cycle. a novitiate in which she teaches her age-old ways of how to glorify God in Christ as Church, together as one body, in union with and after the example of her head. Our sanctification takes place as the Holy Spirit molds us into the image of Christ when we contemplate Him in the prayers of the Divine Office. Its primary purpose is to praise our Creator who is worthy of all our love, and who finds His “heaven on earth” in the love we bear for Him in our souls. The primary purpose of the Divine Office isn’t our personal sanctification, although that is certainly something to be desired. Francis of Assisi adoring the Crucifix by Bernardo Strozzi Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church The Purpose of the Divine Office He places them within salvation history, the heart of which is the mystery of Christ’s. …the prayer of the Church, closely bound to the rhythms of nature, fills the daily, weekly, and yearly cycles with celebration of the feasts of the Lord and the Mother of God, as well as memorials of the saints.Īs they pray, God enters into the time of people’s lives. In the Divine Office the Church Militant (which exists in time) unites with the Church Triumphant (which exists in eternity) in unending praise and worship of our Creator. Caritate Christi Compulsi, Encyclical of Pope Pius XI Thus prayer of itself assures the presence of God among men, according to the promise of the divine Redeemer: “Where there are two or three gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt.18:20). What a spectacle for heaven and earth is not the Church in prayer! For centuries without interruption, from midnight to midnight, is repeated on earth the divine psalmody of the inspired canticles there is no hour of the day that is not hallowed by its special liturgy there is no stage of life that has not its part in the thanksgiving, praise, supplication and reparation in common use by the mystical body of Christ, which is the Church. At every hour of every day these communal prayers of the Church render glory to God and unite us with the saving work of Jesus Christ for the salvation of the world. Just as the Mass is continuously offered to God all over the world each day, so also is the Divine Office. ![]() The Divine Office is intimately connected with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He is the author of many books and essays about Padre Pio and has also produced and directed many religious films.Photo: Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology Finally, it is evident that our faith is made concrete where Jesus is not, first and foremost, a doctrine that is taught, but a person who is met and contemplated face to face.Ībout the Author: Stefano Campanella is an Italian journalist and Vaticanist, the director of Padre Pio Television and spokesman for the Press Office of the Italian Province of the Friars Minor Capuchin. ![]() This excellent structure reminds us that mercy is made palpable and visible in the aid and support given to those who live in difficult situations. For everyone the contruction of the hospital, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza," strongly willed and realized by this humble Capuchin who lived in San Giovanni Rotondo, remains an eloquent witness. It was also translated into other concrete gestures which enabled him, even physically, to experience the love of the Lord. Padre Pio did not end in the confessional. He dedicated a great deal of his time to hearing confessions, mainly because: "The greatest charity is to snatch souls snared by Satan to win them over to Christ." A huge part of the ministry of Padre Pio, in fact, took place in administering the Sacrament of Reconciliation as an extraordinary confessor, exigent and at times even severe. Pope Francis appointed him as one of the great patrons of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy (2015-2016). ![]() Saint Padre Pio embodies Divine Mercy in a truly extraodinary way. First Printed: 03-15-2017 Only available as an E-book ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |