Return to The Reign of Mary No. 167
The Reign of Mary
Vol. XLIX, No. 167: Letter from the Editor
March 7, 2018
St. Thomas Aquinas
Dear friends in Our Lady,
Praised be Jesus and Mary. As I write these words we are already deep into the season of Lent — that time so beneficial to those who spend it properly. Lent is a time for meditation on the Passion of Christ and extra prayer, but it is especially a time for penance. It is by penance and self-denial that we grow in love for Jesus, make atonement for sin, overcome the lusts of the flesh, and earn merit for heaven.
The worldly-minded Catholic dreads the approach of Lent and cannot wait until it is over. But the spiritual man relishes this season, as one in which the flesh is subdued and the spirit soars heavenward. A Catholic’s attitude toward Lent is a touchstone of how devoted he is to his faith. May we all be found among the number of those who appreciate the beauties of this season and spend it as one ought!
The saints are the glory of the Church. We read their lives and marvel at the heroism that inspired them to deny themselves and trample the world underfoot. They understood the value of the Cross and carried it faithfully. Outside the Church, on the other hand, we find there is a failure to understand the lesson Christ came to teach—the lesson of the Cross. Martin Luther, for example, with his infamous doctrine of faith alone, taught that there is no need for penance. Under his guidance thousands of religious abandoned their lives of consecration and gave themselves to the pursuit of pleasure. After all, if they were already saved by merely accepting Jesus Christ, then what is the need for penance?
Rather, we members of the Church understand that this life is a time for penance, self-denial and carrying the cross, in order that we might be happy with God in heaven. We seek to imitate Saint Paul who said, “I chastise my body and bring it into subjection.” Although this issue of our magazine may not arrive in your mailbox until shortly before Easter, we nevertheless believe it is important to emphasize the value of penance. Hence, there are several articles in this issue dealing with this important topic.
Our coming celebration of Easter is a foretaste of that joy we await in eternity. Our entire life on this earth ought to be a preparation for eternal joy, which we trust will be ours if we but persevere in loving and serving God in this world. I pray that each of you will experience a most blessed and joyous Easter, and that we all will persevere in the service of Jesus and Mary. Finally, please remember in your prayers our deacon, Frater Philip Marie Davis, CMRI, who will be ordained to the holy priesthood on May 3rd.
In the service of Jesus and Mary
Fr. Benedict Hughes, CMRI
(Email Father)