Fr. Corapi Conference

I wanted to post about a great day today.

Fr. John Corapi, an SOLT priest who is well known because of his appearances on EWTN and his straight-shootin' style, gave a day-long "retreat" on the subject of the Holy Spirit today in Buffalo. The event was held in the HSBC Arena, a 14 or 15,000 seat arena where the Buffalo Sabres (NHL) hockey team plays. Anyway, the retreat was great and Fr. Corapi was spot on. He is quite a character and pulls no punches; my wife and I enjoyed his four presentations. EWTN's News Anchor, Raymond Arroyo, also gave a 45 minute talk during the event. It was very special.

In my opinion, however, even though Father Corapi was amazing, the two most awesome aspects of the day were the Mass and, later, Benediction. There were about 12,000 people at the event, so the Mass was quite a sight. I have never been at Mass with so many people-- it was really cool. Plus, it was the Feast of the Assumption, which made it even better. Our local Bishop, Edward Kmiec, presided. Following Communion, Fr. Corapi led the entire congregation in a consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary using the formula of St. Louis de Montfort. It was awesome- 12,000 people consecrating themselves to the Blessed Mother! Truly awesome!

Then, at the end of the event, there was Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Wow. Again, an awesome sight. To be in that place, with thousands of people, all of us worshipping our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament was just amazing-- for a moment, I thought that this must be what heaven is like. A local parish Priest led the crowd in the traditional Benediction prayers, which were prayed in Latin, as well as the Divine Praises and a couple of traditional songs. It was a fitting end to an amazing day.

Experiences like that give me great hope for the future.

Joy!

Ours is a strange and often dark world, filled with peril. There are wars and rumours of wars. There are daily events that shock the conscience and take one's breath away. Yet, through it all, we Catholics are called to find joy in the sorrow, knowing that we have been saved throught Christ.

The idea of joy amidst suffering always reminds me of a hymn that was a staple at my high school's liturgies -- "How Can I Keep From Singing."

Some quick research revealed that the hymn was written by an American Baptist minister in the mid-nineteenth century. In light of our strange and dark times, I found the words of the song (posted below) quite inspiring.

Remember: There is always joy in Christ!

My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth’s lamentation.
I hear the sweet though far off hymn
That hails a new creation:
Through all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul—
How can I keep from singing?

What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth;
What though the darkness gather round!
Songs in the night He giveth:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of Heav’n and earth,
How can I keep from singing?

I lift mine eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smoothes
Since first I learned to love it:
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing:
All things are mine since I am His—
How can I keep from singing?

As always, Praise God!!

End of the Day Prayer

Everyone knows that prayer is essential to a good spiritual life. Prayer is the food that nourishes the soul and strengthens one's relationship with the Lord. In particular, I think that prayer at the end of the day is crucial. Those moments at the end of the day when I am able to collect myself and place myself before God and take the time to review the day with Him are great. The problem is that, for me at least, those moments are ever so rare.

Despite my best intentions, I frequently find it difficult to engage in any substantial prayers at the end of the day. More often than not, by the time I make it upstairs for bed, I am spent and can barely utter a "thank you, God" before falling asleep! I guess we all have things to work on...

Still, even though I am a flawed end of day pray-er, I thought I would pass along a prayer that I discovered a few years ago in my parish newsletter. I have found it to be a very helpful (and succinct) end of the day prayer that allows me to place myself and my day before God even when I am totally exhausted. I have made it a practice each night to say this prayer in front of the crucifix that hangs on the bedroom wall.

I hope that some of you out there find this beautiful little prayer as helpful as I do!

Prayer for the End of the Day

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all its Love, all its Sufferings and all its Merits.

First - To expiate all the sins that I have committed this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Second - To purify the good that I have done badly this day and during all my life. Glory be to the Father . . .

Third - To supply for the good that I ought to have done, and that I have neglected, this day and during all my life. Glory Be to the Father . . .

Amen.

Praise God!!