From the Friars: Increase Our Faith

This Sunday in the Gospel the Apostles turn to Jesus, exclaiming, “Increase our faith! (Lk. 17:5)”. Initially, faith is an unmerited gift. We are given this gift at our baptism when we die with Christ and are born into eternal life. Eternal life begins at baptism! At baptism we become for the first time Temples of the Holy Spirit and the dwelling place of the Most High (Ps. 91:1). Perhaps this is why the Apostles were pleading for faith. They saw the joy and happiness that Jesus exuberated in His service to others, His love for self-sacrifice. Yet deep down they realized they were incapable of loving like Jesus, since for the Apostles their faith was still mostly a mere external observance of the law.

A good friend of mine told me she met a bishop in Colombia who seemed very happy and service oriented. She wanted to learn more about the celibate life and so she asked him, “Your Excellency, do you ever doubt not having a wife? Is chastity a struggle for you?” The bishop responded, “Oh my little daughter, if you only knew how easy chastity is when one dedicates their whole life to God!” She couldn’t believe the bishop’s faith! Our faith moves mountains; our faith expels all doubt and fear of suffering. Often it is when we are half-hearted that we are tempted by Satan the most.

This Tuesday will be a unique opportunity to witness to our faith as the Archbishop of Boston—Richard Henning—will be coming to Holy Rosary Shrine for the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. All communities and sodalities are invited and encouraged to attend. It is also an opportunity to express our gratitude before the archbishop for the miracle of Holy Rosary Shrine.

On behalf of all the friars I want to thank all those who faithfully attend Mass here or have some other function or ministry attached to the Shrine. Your faith makes the Shrine come alive! Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament begins at 6:30pm followed by the recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

Please don’t miss this beautiful time of prayer; we would love to see you!

–Fr. Francis