2004 PASSIONIST COMPANIONS PROGRAMME

REFLECTION QUESTIONS


OCTOBER 2004

  • This month Fr. Gerard Mahony reflects on St. Paul of the Cross and Faith. What people or experiences have helped your faith to grow and mature?
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of October pray and reflect on the Death of Jesus (Chapter 15:33-41).
  • St. Paul of the Cross wrote to Mother Maria Gesualda on 24th October 1760, "Jesus holds you in his divine arms, so what do you fear?"  Sit quietly and bring to mind some of your own fears at the present time.  Place them before Jesus Crucified who holds you in his arms ... so what do you fear?


SEPTEMBER 2004

  • Bennet Kelly, C.P., in his writings on "St. Paul of the Cross and the Passion" says that St. Paul of the Cross saw trials as necessary for us and sent by a loving God for our purification and growth.  What is your reflection on this statement?
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of September pray and reflect on The Crucifixion of Jesus (Chapter 15: 21-32)
  • St. Paul of the Cross wrote to Agnes Grazi, "Sickness does not impede union with God but rather can increase it. Let Jesus live. Whether we live or whether we die we always belong to God" (4th April 1737).  In what ways could our sicknesses help increase our union with God?


AUGUST 2004

  • In the August article, Father Columkville reflects on the presence of Mary in the life of St. Paul of the Cross.  What is your favourite image of Mary?  What is your favourite devotion to Mary? Why?
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of August pray and reflect on Pilate Hands Jesus over to be Crucified (Chapter 15:6-15) and  The Soldiers Mock Jesus (Chapter 15:16-20)
  • St. Paul of the Cross writes, "When you are worried or anxious, try not to inflict your anxieties on your wife and children. Surrender your anxieties to God and surrender to his Good Pleasure. Believe firmly that you are walking this painful road to become more like Jesus" (Living Wisdom for Every Day, Bennet Kelley, C.P. August 8). Sit quietly and gently surrender your anxieties to God, surrender them to his Good Pleasure.


JULY 2004

  • Passionists often refer to St. Paul of the Cross as "our holy founder". Who would you say is the holiest person you have ever met? What do you believe is the essence of holiness?
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of July pray and refect on Peter denying Jesus (Ch. 14:66-72), Peter before Pilate (Ch. 15:1-5) and Pilate handing Jesus over to be Crucified (Ch. 15:6-15).
  • St. Paul of the Cross writes, "It is good to encourage others to think of the Passion. Circumstances will open numerous ways of doing this. For the love of God is very ingenious and is proved, not so much by words, but by deeds and examples of the lovers".  Search for ways during the month of July of encouraging others to think of the Passion of Jesus ... circumstances will open numerous ways!


JUNE 2004

  • In the article on St. Paul of the Cross this month, Fr, Costante Brovetto, C.P., speaks to us of St. Paul of the Cross as spiritual director.  What do you do to help your spirit grow - do you have someone whom you can talk to about things of the spirit, do you keep a journal, do you listen to music, do you have a special place where you go to pray, to reflect, to be with God.
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of June pray and reflect on the Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus (Ch. 14:43-51) and Jesus before the Council (14:53-65).
  • In this month's article, Fr. Costante, C.P., reminds us that St. Paul of the Cross wrote, "The sure way to keep one's heart in peace is to accept everything, without condition, as coming immediately from the loving hand of God".    Sit quietly and peacefully, place your hands open in your lap, close your eyes and in prayer receive from the loving hand of God.


MAY 2004

  • During the month of May when you've a few moments have a look at some of the Letters of St. Paul of the Cross.  A selection of the Letters can be found at the Web Site of the Passionist Research Center -  Letters
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark. During the month of May pray and reflect on the Unfaithfuless of the Disciples (Ch. 14:26-31) and the Prayer in Gethsemane (Ch. 14: 32-42).
  • St. Paul of the Cross wrote, "Love will teach you great things" (Living Wisdom for Every Day, Bennet Kelly, C.P., May 14).  What are some of the things love has taught you? Name some of the people you love.  In prayer place these people at the foot of the Cross and ask the Crucified to care for them.
APRIL 2004
  • In the article "St. Paul of the Cross, Missionary",  Fr. Martin Bialas writes -  'For the most part St. Paul of the Cross preached in villages and small towns, under trying circumstances both by way of climate and location. The people in these places lived 'at the margins of society', They were the 'crucified' of his day."  Who would you name as the crucified people of our day?
  • Continue reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark.  During the month of April pray and reflect on Ch. 14:12 - 21 (The Passover with the Disciples) and Ch. 14:22 - 25 (The Institution of the Lord's Supper).
  • St. Paul of the Cross wrote, "Jesus will teach you how to pray when you say to him with reverence and humility, 'Dear Jesus, teach me to pray.' Then approach his Most holy Wounds with faith and love and simply think of the Passion gently and without strain. Jesus will teach you".    How do you pray? What are your favourite ways to pray? What helps you to pray?  If someone came to you and said "Can you help me - I want to start to pray" - what would you say to them, what advice would you give to them?

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      Email some of your reflections on these questions about prayer so that they can be added to the Passionist Companions Web Site  -     Email
MARCH 2004
  • In his article ‘St. Paul of the Cross, Founder’, Archbishop Nesti quotes Passionist Adolfo Lippi, “For the realisation of a spiritual movement in the church it is not enough that a christian possesses the charism of foundation, rather it is necessary that others recognise and share that charism” (Lippi, St. Paul of the Cross, Paulist Press, 1993, p. 280).  When did you first come in contact with the Passionists? When you did first “recognise” or “taste” the Passionist Charism in your own life?
  • Keep reading the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark.  In particular this month pray and reflect on Ch. 14:3-9 (The Anointing at Bethany) and Ch. 14:10-11 (The Betrayal by Judas).
  • St. Paul of the Cross wrote: “I find my own sufferings increasing. If God does not strengthen me, I am afraid I cannot bear the weight of them” (Living Wisdom for Every Day, March 15, p. 43). During the month of March take time to sit quietly before God and ask him to strengthen you in your troubles and worries.


FEBRUARY 2004

  • Martin Bialas, C.P., in “Who was St. Paul of the Cross” suggests humanity and holiness were deeply integrated in Paul’s personality, and as he developed in Christian holiness, his humanity flowered all the more.  Humanity and holiness – what words would you use to describe St. Paul of the Cross?
  • During the month take up the Passion of Jesus in the Gospel of St. Mark (Mk 14:1 – 15:47).  Read some of the Gospel each day or each week.
  • One of the quotes in the book Living Wisdom for Every Day – minute meditations from the writings of St. Paul of the Cross – says “Humble yourself before God, show him your wounds with gentle reverence and love and ask him to heal you.”  What people or experiences would you like to place at the feet of the Crucified for healing?

 

May the Passion of Jesus be always in our hearts