On this Memorial Day, as we remember and pray for the souls of our fallen and deceased servicemen and servicewomen, we can be grateful that, as Catholics, we can render one last act of gratitude to those who served our country by offering suffrages for their souls. Praying for the release of their souls from Purgatory to the glory of Heaven is true spiritual almsigiving. We should offer Masses (and Rosaries & Chaplets of Divine Mercy) for the souls deceased service members not just on Memorial Day. (Some people—from ordinary Catholics to great saints like Padre Pio—are gifted with visitations of souls, including military personnel—who need prayer.) Those Christians whose tradition has rejected the doctrine of Purgatory, despite all the evidence of what the early Christians (and before them the Jews) believed, do not offer this great mercy to the Suffering Souls. The fullness of Faith makes a difference!
Our new organ will be played for the first time THIS SATURDAY, May 31, for the Feast of the Visitation of our Blessed Mother to St. Elizabeth! We thank God and all of you who made this new organ possible so that we can render more fitting worship to the Most Holy Trinity.
Our May Crowning will be this Saturday on the Feast of the Visitation after Mass. We will process to the Shrine-Grotto, pray the Holy Rosary of our Blessed Mother and crown her as our Queen.
Coming events this June, the Month of the Sacred Heart, include First Wednesday to honor St. Joseph (June 4), First Friday as we honor Jesus’ Sacred Heart (June 6), and First Saturday as we honor Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart (June 7). Mark your calendar for Friday, June 13, as we celebrate the great saint, St. Anthony of Padua, and also Saturday, June 28, as we honor our second patronal namesake—the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
To communicate with me, please email me directly at abunaalex@yahoo.com or call/text me at (313) 727-9784. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
In Jesus, Mary & Joseph,
Fr. Alex Kratz, OFM
Spiritual Director of Terra Sancta Ministries