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Our Lord had you in mind all during His Sacred
Passion. When you think of Him in His Passion, of His Sorrow, His many wounds.,
His infinite love, you find out what He thinks of you, of everybody, of
everything. That is why your thinking over, your praying over the Passion is so
important. Then there is the Mass, the memorial of the Passion, and Holy
Communion when Christ comes into your very heart to fill you with the power of
His Passion and to unite you to Himself. Keep Him company on the Cross, together
with Mary, whom He gave you for Mother there, together with the Saints of the
Passion, who appreciated so deeply the value and meaning of His sufferings.
The practice of daily prayers is most necessary for every Catholic, for without prayer we cannot obtain from God the many spiritual helps we daily need. As a member of the Confraternity of the Passion you should strive to be faithful to this daily practice, especially in the morning and evening. When you pray, you will find it helpful to unite your prayers to those of the Passionist Fathers, who daily spend many hours at prayer in their monasteries.
If one wishes to grow in love for Jesus Crucified, one must devote some time each day, if at all possible, to prayerful reading or meditation upon the Sufferings of Jesus. It is advisable to spend at least 15 minutes per day in this practice. A few pages from some good spiritual reading book, especially the New Testament, will help you to fulfill this daily prayer. In making meditation, you do not have to use many words, nor choice phrases. Simply learn to talk to Our Lord in your own words.
As regards vocal prayers, you will find the recitation of the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary excellent. Our Lady will aid you to realize the meaning of the Suffering of her Son. When possible, try to make the Stations of the Cross. The Little Office of the Passion is also a practical way of honoring the Passion of Our Lord. You will find other satisfactory prayers in the Passion Prayer Book.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is the daily renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross. This is the teaching of Holy Mother the Church. Surely, therefore, the members of the Confraternity should have a great love for the Mass. They will try to attend Mass every morning, if at all possible.
During Mass remember that you are assisting at the renewal of the Sacrifice of the Cross. Use whatever method helps you most, whether it be a missal, or personal prayer, or the Rosary. The important thing, however, is that you offer yourself to Jesus Crucified at each Mass, and together with Him, offer the sacrifice of self to the Heavenly Father. At each Mass make this offering of your daily work, your daily difficulties, and temptations. Try to make this offering as personal and sincerely as you can.
When you receive Holy Communion, remember that you are receiving the same Jesus who was Crucified for you. Tell Him of your love for Him, ask Him for the graces you need. When possible, continue your thanksgiving for a few minutes after Mass is over.
If you are unable to receive Holy Communion, as also during the day when visiting a Church, make a Spiritual Communion. Speak to Our Lord in your own words. Tell Him your needs.
As a member of the Passionist family, you should have a special devotion for the great Passionist Saints, especially for the founder, St. Paul of the Cross. His feast is kept on April 28. St. Vincent Mary Strambi (September 25) and St. Gabriel of Our Mother of Sorrows (February 27) both attained sanctity by personal devotion to the Passion. St. Gemma Galgani (May 14) and St. Mary Goretti (July 9) were closely associated with the Passionist Fathers and are special patrons of the Confraternity.
Each year join the Passionists throughout the world, at least privately, in making the Four Novenas in preparation for Christmas, Pentecost, Assumption, and the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross. If Possible, try to make a yearly retreat of two or three days at your Diocesan Retreat House. Finally, you are urged to remember the Poor Souls in Purgatory. Perform whatever works of piety you can for their behalf, and apply to them many indulgences, according to the custom of the Church. St. Paul of the Cross tells us that with God's permission we shall obtain from others after our death, what we ourselves have offered while living, for the Poor Souls.
Crucified with Christ
Sin more than nails pierced His Hands and Feet. Sin more than the spear pierced His Side and Heart. Yet Christ suffered with such love that His Passion has the Power to forgive all sin. When you receive forgiveness of your sins in the Sacrament of Penance, you experience the effects of the power of His pain. When you suffer something out of love, you are like Christ atoning for sin. Every pain you suffer, every cross you bear becomes a sacrifice of penance, a work of satisfaction for sin.
Confession & Examination of Conscience
The Divinely appointed means of obtaining forgiveness for our sins is the Sacrament of Penance. Each time you receive this Sacrament, your soul is washed anew in the Blood of Christ. Surely, therefore, as a member of the Confraternity of the Passion, you should strive to receive this Sacrament frequently in order to be freed from your sins, by which you have offended your Crucified Master.
Go to Confession at least once a month. Even weekly Confession is urged. If possible, always go to the same Confessor; tell him your difficulties and problems; sincerely strive to follow his advice. In making your act of contrition, reflect upon the malice of sin as seen in the Crucified Body of Jesus. Say your penance devoutly and promptly.
Each evening, before retiring, make an examination of conscience. Try to find out what sins or faults you have committed during the day; make a good act of contrition, and then renew your purpose of amendment and your good resolutions. Ask Jesus Crucified to give you the strength to keep your resolutions the following day.
In time of temptation, remember how much Jesus suffered because of sin, and do not offend Him by a new sin. Call upon Our Lady for help. Remember that you share in the prayers and good works of the Passionist Fathers throughout the world. Thus you will find that you will have the strength of the soul and the grace to resist temptation more and more.
Besides the Sacramental penance imposed by the Confessor, strive each day to perform other acts of self-denial in honor of Jesus Crucified, and in satisfaction for your sins. By getting into the habit of denying yourself in little things, you will acquire more self-control and thus will be able to resist temptations to sin.
Unless you are dispensed, observe the days of Fast and Abstinence of Holy Mother the Church. Fasting has always been highly esteemed by the Saints, and St. Paul of the Cross prescribed many special days of fasting and abstinence for his religious. If you are unable to fast, try at least to offer Jesus Crucified some little act of self-denial at each meal.
A very good act of self-denial is to be content with the portion of this world's goods that God has given you. If you do not have the money, the luxuries, the conveniences that some have, do not inwardly complain, but accept your station in life cheerfully, out of love for Jesus Crucified. Try to see the Will of God in the accidents and incidents of daily life, such as sickness, disappointments, financial worries, etc. Be glad to share in the poverty and sufferings of Christ Crucified.
Especially on Friday, remember the Sufferings of Christ. Attend Mass and receive Holy Communion, not only on the first Friday, but every Friday, if at all possible. This will inspire you to make a few extra acts of mortifications each Friday, in honor of your Crucified Master. At Three o'clock on Friday afternoon, when the agony bell tolls in all Passionist Monasteries, turn your thoughts to Jesus Christ, and ask yourself what you have done this Friday, to honor His Passion.
Your daily work may well be the source of many trials for you. In fact, it may be the Cross God is giving you. Strive, therefore, to bear this Cross of daily work with the same dispositions of love and patience, with which Jesus bore His Cross up the Hill of Calvary. Each morning renew your daily offering of all your works and labors. Do this preferably at Holy Mass.
From time to time unite your work with the works of the Passionist Fathers, offering you Cross of daily work for the success of their missions and retreats. Keep this same intention in your prayers also.
