Thursday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time

What does the shepherd do when he finds his lost sheep?

Every morning on the way to school, a small boy slipped into the dark parish church and sat on the floor in front of the crucifix. He looked at Jesus and Jesus looked at him. Years later St. Guido Maria Conforti said that in those quiet minutes he felt Jesus telling him things, and that it was there he first understood he was to be a priest.

Where did St. Guido go every morning before school?

St. Guido as a bishop in his robes and miter, kneeling before a large crucifix. Color his robes purple, the miter white with a gold band, the cross brown, and leave the light around the crucifix uncolored.

Hide a coin, let the kids find it, cheer, and say the Act of Contrition together before bed.

Being truly sorry for something wrong you did, because it hurt God who loves you, and wanting not to do it again. It is the first step in Confession.

Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.

If God already knows I’m sorry, why do I have to say it to a priest?

Jesus, Good Shepherd, when I wander off, come find me. When I do wrong, help me say sorry fast. Thank you for carrying me home and for the party in Heaven. St. Guido, help me listen to Jesus. Amen.

In 1491, one of the Church’s greatest saints came into the world in Azpeitia, Spain. The youngest of thirteen children, St. Ignatius of Loyola lived for the world and the honor of man until his profound conversion at the age of twenty-nine while recovering from a cannonball injury he sustained at the Battle of Pamplona. In the words of F. A. Forbes, “He was above and beyond all [else] a man of war. His dearest aspiration was to win honor and glory as a soldier — to make for himself a name which should live in the history of his country.”

Jesus, Who finds it necessary to rest because He is fatigued and weary from the labor of seeking out sinners on the highways and byways of life — what a touching contrast to the picture of Christ seated on the throne of glory to judge the whole world! “For the Son of Man is come to seek (quærere) and to save that which was lost” (Lk 19:10). This text admirably expresses the mission of the Redeemer, which is to seek out and to save lost souls, so that all who are willing will find salvation.

Tomorrow, Friday, is a day of penance: decide tonight what the family gives up, and for which deceased person it is offered. You will also fold a paper crane, so have a square of paper per child. Saturday, November 7: the almsgiving jar starts (any clean jar) and the last easy chance for the cemetery visit for the Holy Souls indulgence, with Confession the same day. Sunday, November 8, dinner is by candlelight for the parable of the ten virgins; have candles or a lamp ready.