Wednesday, March 04, 2009

Fr. Groeschel consoles the Legion of Christ


Couragio
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Fr. Groeschel knows all about scandal. He has worked with many, many fallen priests, religious, and sinners - people just like me. I first met him while he was staying at the Cancer Home in St. Paul a few years ago. (He has a copy of an icon I did, depicting his patron saint.) In a rather short time, we spoke privately about many things, he was very encouraging. In fact, ducking his head into the chapel where I was praying, he whispered this parting word in my direction, "Couragio!" Fr. Groeschel is always so charitable, kind, compassionate, and understanding. Therefore, I'm not surprised he addressed the men in formation with the Legion of Christ in such encouraging terms.
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"At times, in individual lives, and sometimes in corporate lives, events occur which are difficult for us to comprehend, to get our arms around. And often, not always, but often, the answer is a personal, individual call to repentance on our part, on OUR part. And the willingness to go on.
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Now, what goes on is that each individual soul is called in the way that the Holy Spirit calls us to turn all of the events of life -- successes, failures, joys, sorrows, virtues, and even sins -- to turn them all into our personal repentance and following of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Legionaries of Christ were built and sustained by a deep Christological theology and devotion. It will stand you in the best stead at this time. This is not the Legion of anybody except of Christ.
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St. Augustine says, "When the cross was first preached to the few who believed, it was mocked by the multitudes. But by the power of the cross, the blind saw, the lame walked, the lepers were cleansed, and even the dead rose so that even among the powers of this world, men would come to believe that there is, in fact, nothing more powerful than the humility of God." - Source


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