CAPG's Blog 

"Hours of mental anguish can be transmuted into hours of accomplishment by the alchemy of love, if the pain is offered in atonement for sins and in reparation for offenses committed against God. This can be done by individuals in pain and by nations as a whole when the world is suffering the agony of war and witnessing some of the darkest hours of all human history. Many a gold star in a service flag denotes the sacrifice of mothers who have given sons to the cause, and of families that have lost the shepherding hand of a kindly father.

When the moon hides the face of the sun it is an interesting phenomenon of nature to witness as the earth is darkened by shadow, but there is no one nowadays who is fearful of such an occurrence, for we have learned to know that it is only a passing eclipse and that the sun will soon give its light to cheer the heart of man. We know that the moon is only a satellite receiving its light from the sun, and after a few fleeting moments the sun will be seen shining in all its brilliance, giving to earth its benediction of light and heat without which we could not live.

Thus, when the darkness of war casts a shadow across the earth, eclipsing for the moment the brightness of peace, some are fearful, for they lack the assurance and light of faith which is a comfort in times of darkest mental anguish. They have grown accustomed to living according to the way of the world. When the lights go out all over the world there is no further hope for them beyond this vale of shadows. It is not so, however, with the faithful. Through prayer and a deep abiding belief the man of faith continues to place his trust not in earthly princes but in an all-provident God. He is aware that man and not God is accountable for the woes of the world and that they are caused by sin! Thus it is that he offers the agony of heart and the distressing moments of war in prayerful attitude to the Almighty as atonement for his sins and those of mankind.

The man of faith, in whose heart is the grace of God, believes that Christ is the Light of the World. Although the darkness of evil on Calvary seemed to blacken out the divine light, yet the man of faith is aware that no human power, however strong, can long withstand divinity’s hand.

The world’s excitement, its race to arm men with the weapons that kill, its greed for money and for pleasure have left a deep mark upon our day and age. Only spiritual remedies can go deep enough to effect a radical change, and only spiritual leadership can help cure our present ills.

The speed of our day with its love for distraction has seeped way down into the very hearts and souls of men. It is not just something characteristic of the day. It is almost an intrinsic quality of our hearts. It is not the plane or atom that speeds. It is the heart of man that has learned how speedily to kill. Spiritual ideals inculcated again in human hearts alone can root out the present evils and give the plan for a better, safer, and a more peaceful world. A quiet visit to the sick, a prayer uttered in a way-side chapel, a helping hand, an hour made holy before the Eucharistic King, a morning prayer, a fast broken only at the altar with the Eucharistic Lord — such as these must be learned by the children of men if a more peaceful life is to be lived by the followers of the Prince of Peace. This opportunity is offered each of us during this Advent season — to watch and pray with Christ and Mary and Joseph.

To inculcate in the minds of the faithful the need for prayer and sacrifice, the Church has set aside special days, called Ember Days, on which these should be practiced in thanksgiving to God for the gifts of nature, to teach men to make use of them in moderation, and to assist the needy. We should prepare and resolve to perform some special act in the spirit of the Ember triduum during Advent, which begins tomorrow.


Prayer: Dear Lord, You promised not to leave us orphans and You have given us a Father on earth in our Holy Father to guide our steps and inspire our hearts. Today we pray for him through the intercession of our Lady, Queen of Peace. Give strength to him and abundant grace to give this world spiritual aid. "

Source: Preface of Spiritual Steps to Christmas, Very Rev. Msgr. Aloysius Coogan, MA 1953