Dear Folks,

As today is the feast of Christ the King, expect to holler “Viva!” at Mass as the response whenever I say, “Viva Christo Rey!” And if you are at another Mass, but see me in the parking lot, don’t be afraid to give a shout out for the King of the Universe!

The Kingship of Jesus Christ is not a political slogan to be adopted and formed to our grasping for earthly power. It is precisely the opposite, a submission of our minds and hearts to the divine wisdom of the Lord incarnate! Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Ignorance of Jesus is ignorance of everything necessary.

Why do I so often exhort you to take an hour of adoration every week? Because even attending Mass every week without a life of prayer is like going to your own wedding and not knowing the person you are marrying. Having a real, enduring, and profound prayer life means embracing the difficult struggle of prayer.

I leave the rest of this week’s column to St. Alphonsus Ligori:

“Jesus Christ finds means to console a soul that remains with a recollected spirit before the Most Blessed Sacrament, far beyond what the world can do with all its feasts and pastimes. Oh, how sweet a joy it is to remain with faith and tender devotion before an altar, and converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who is there for the express purpose of listening to and graciously hearing those who pray to him; to ask his pardon for the displeasures which we have caused him; to represent our wants to him, as a friend does to a friend in whom he places all his confidence; to ask him for his graces, for his love, and for his kingdom; but above all, oh, what a heaven it is there to remain making acts of love towards that Lord who is on the very altar praying to the Eternal Father for us, and is there burning with love for us. Indeed that love it is which detains him there, thus hidden and unknown, and where he is even despised by ungrateful souls! But why should we say more? “Taste and see.”

I am so excited that the adoration chapel construction is shaping up! It will be a while before we get the chapel fully decorated, because the sacred furnishings are on order and not expected to be ready until early next year.

But first, we gotta get through Advent which starts next Sunday. This means the return of the Advent Candlelight Masses at 7pm Sunday night Mass. The dates for this are: November 30, December 7, 14, 21, and 28! We will turn down the lights and add more candles and get into the advent (and Christmas) mood!

pax,

Father John Mosimann