We all go through our trials and tribulations. At different ages the trials and tribulations change. It sometimes seems that the more grown up we get, the more complicated our trials get. The more stuff we have, the more things there are that can go wrong. As we age, we shift from the importance of appearances to the importance of the interior. Sometimes we might even feel like we are pretty close to having it all together. In an imperfect world that might not be so hard to achieve. As Catholics we have a unique set of tools that we can use in this never-ending challenge aimed toward true peace and love of God. Most likely these are things that have been gifted to us very long ago. Maybe we haven’t looked at them since we were kids, or maybe we have just come to a new awareness of them that comes with maturity. I’m talking about the ancient prayers and faith Traditions of the Church.
These are our battle tools. Padre Pio called the Rosary his “weapon”. Pope Leo XIII created the St. Michael payer as a literal defense against the enemy and his minions. Did you know that when you pray this payer it is actually a minor exorcism? All novenas are rooted in the tradition that the Apostles, along with Mary, were in the Upper Room for nine days after the Ascension while waiting for the power of the Holy Spirit. There are literally hundreds of these tools that we have access to. Most are deeply rooted in the Traditions and Teachings of the Church and have been included in our history and practice because they have been studied, prayed about and scrutinized by Church scholars. In other words, our traditional prayers are in line with Church doctrine. There are two traditions, however, that seem particularly appropriate for November: The Act of Contrition and The concept of Purgatory. We all hope to get to heaven and are dwelling in the concept that those who we love are there already.
These two tools are lynch pins that firm our resolve and bolster our hope that the destination is possible for each of us who are still on the planet. Each of these is firmly aimed at the idea that nobody is perfect enough to stand unscathed in the radiance of God. The Church has a benevolent feeling about the human condition, and in a very real way, both of these practices could be called a kind of “do over”. God knows that being human is hard and being sinful is always attractive. So we have Confession preceded by the Act of Contrition before death and the concept of Purgatory after death. Opportunities to be sorry, to cling to God, to be loveable, to be worthy. Some people scoff at the idea that there is a sort of ante-room for heaven and that God loves us so much that this idea of waiting and preparing is silly. I don’t agree. I can only liken the idea of Purgatory to perhaps an invitation to be in the personal presence of the Pope. Would you take up the invitation by going directly from a strenuous work day in soiled and sweaty clothes or would you want to have fresh garments, a neat haircut and the confidence that you have done your best to prepare? Purgatory is the spot to prepare. The Traditions of Contrition as well as Purgatory are not short-term thoughts in the Church. Purgatory was first discussed and contemplated at the Council of Florence in 1439 and the idea of formalizing contrition was first discussed at the Council of Trent in 1563. These two practices have roots in faith and power. Their potent benefits are not understood by today’s faithful as well as they should be. These are not “pie in the sky” practices that someone dreamt up.
This point was solidified for me when I heard the story of “a priest who in 1926 knelt down to make an Act of Contrition while in Pompeii. [He had the overwhelming need] to ask for the forgiveness of sins committed in 60 or 70 B.C. [he] understood that these souls could be saved by his act of contrition. He had this deep faith that this act of contrition was not useless.” (Fr. Maurice Zundel, † 1975, Swiss mystic, poet, philosopher.) In a similar way, a teacher friend of mine had an experience that stays with her still. One morning as she drove to work she had an overwhelming desire to say the act of contrition over and over, which she did. The date was 9/11 and the hour was the moment that the first plane hit the first tower. She had not really thought of this prayer for years.
Stunning power we don’t really understand, blessings from another realm, all at our finger tips. What gifts could be greater and how can we be thankful enough? None of us is perfect and all we can do is practice our traditions, but that’s enough to get you to heaven, wow!
Copyright© 2015, Kathryn M. Cunningham
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org