Exemplary Service of God and Neighbor

St Martin de Porres, OP
3 November

Today the Church remembers St. Martin de Porres. While the lives of many saints and blesseds are surrounded by mystery and legend, the life of saint Martin gives us a clear and straightforward message; a message of holiness that we can easily apply in our own lives.

If we look at the physical depictions of St. Martin’s life in portraits or statues, we see that he is usually depicted with a broom in his hand and a beggar or sick person at his side. This helps us to understand how committed he was in serving his local community and the poor who came to him in need. St. Martin constantly spent his life in the service of God and neighbor.

We see in his life the importance of always doing things with great love, dedication and compassion. Jesus gives the same reminder in the Gospel read on this holy day. In Matthew 22: 34-40 Jesus reminds the Pharisees that the law and all the prophets are based on one’s complete dedication to God and love of one’s neighbor. We too can look into our lives and check our own attitude and commitment to serving the needs of others. This celebration can help us to see how we can make our lives better by serving the needs of those who are truly less fortunate, or have needs.

On a deeper level, St. Martin de Porres never failed to see the face of Christ in those whom he met. Regardless of the task, the person or the situation, he saw the opportunity of serving God and extending the life of Christ in his midst. We can see that he was truly a living member of the Body of Christ.

St. Martin did all things, whether great or small, with the same measure of love and faith. This is perhaps one great lesson that we can apply to our lives in the present day. While so many people place an emphasis, or an over emphasis, on their personal happiness and security, St. Martin demonstrates how a life of sacrifice and service can be rewarding and fulfilling. We can all take a lesson from him on the importance of love, service and charity in our lives.

As you continue to discern your vocation, I encourage you to consider the role that service can have in discovering your gifts, talents and interests. You can really learn a lot placing yourself in the context of another person’s life. Considering the needs of another can help you to understand the blessings of God and the connections we all share as God’s children. Perhaps this will give you the confidence to say ‘yes’ to the Lord and understand your future vocation.

From the Common of Holy Men, Morning Prayer:
Brothers, I beg you through the mercy of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God’s will, what is good, pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12: 1-2)

Feast of the Holy Redeemer

23 October
Christ the Holy Redeemer

Today the Trinitarians celebrate the Feast of the Most Holy Redeemer. In 1682 the Spanish Trinitarians ransomed and brought back from Morocco a statue of the Holy Redeemer together with 211 Christian captives. The image of Jesus of Nazareth (the Holy Redeemer) ransomed by the Trinitarians reminds us of the work of redemption carried out by the Order throughout the centuries.

While on a ransoming mission, the Trinitarians discovered that the Moors were desecrating a statue of Christ in the central plaza. Because they were helpless in their ability to stop the abuse of the statue, they offered to ransom the statue of Christ in the same way that they would ransom a human person. While laughing and making fun of the Trinitarians, the Moors agreed to the arrangement.

When the Statue of Christ was placed on a balance scale, the Trinitarians placed the small amount of gold coins left over from the current ransoming mission on the opposite side. Amazingly the statue came out to weigh the same as the seemingly meaningless amount of gold coins. The Trinitarians then took the statue of Christ and placed a Trinitarian scapular on it. Since the ransom of the statue, the Order has maintained a devotion to Christ the Holy Redeemer.

In every redemption, Christians, living images of God are ransomed. Just as on several occasions when captives who were rescued paid back the price of their ransom to the redeemers (if their means permitted it), in the redemption of the Image of Jesus, the Divine Redeemer, he willed to repay the price of his ransoming a hundred fold. The statue may be seen today in Madrid, Spain.

What's Really at Stake

Luke 11: 15-26

In today’s Gospel we hear people entering into a bit of gossip. They are unhappy with the way that Jesus in performing his ministry and casting out demons. Through their words and murmurings, they are trying to sabotage his mission. What they failed to see and understand is that something new and powerful was in their midst. Of course it seemed strange for Jesus to demonstrate such great power and authority, he was God and the fullness of God’s life was being revealed in their midst. It would even seem strange and uncommon to us today.

In our daily faith journey we can apply this same scenario. How often do I find myself judging another person because of how they look on the surface or how they act. All without attempting to understand who they are and what they are doing. The real acts of faith and Christian charity are to see how God is present in their lives and working through them. Certainly a risk and a challenge for all Christians today.

The same can be true for those in discernment. Sometimes superficial or passing comments may sidetrack a person from the deeper calling to serve God. Often times, decisions about ones vocation or potential for the future are made without fully exploring the situation. So it is important to not let the everyday understanding (or misunderstanding) of a vocation determine the final outcome. Take the time to step inside and see what God is offering to you in the call to religious life and or priesthood. Talk with those who have chosen this vocation to see what’s really involved and what’s really being offered.

May our words and judgements not distract us from following the path to greatness that God has intended for us. Please know of my prayers and best wishes for you on your journey of discernment. As our community gathers for Provincial Chapter next week, you will also be remembered in the prayers of all the Trinitarians.

Solemnity of Our Lady of Good Remedy

8 October
Our Lady of Good Remedy


The Trinitarian religious whose primary duties are to worship the Triune God with a special devotion, to promote this devotion and to aid the needy and those who suffer by performing works of mercy, have honored the Virgin Mary - Sacred Vessel of the Holy Trinity - under the title of “Mother of Good Remedy" from the very beginnings of their Order.... A singular love for the Mother of God has flourished among these religious throughout the ages, for she continually healed the sufferings of her suppliants; indeed, it still flourishes among them up to the present day." (From the Office of Readings)

These words of John XXIII are an admirable synthesis of the manner in which we Trinitarians contemplate the mystery of Mary. She is, before all else, "the sacred vessel of the Holy Trinity." This title indicates what Mary was for God, and in the presence of God. The incomparable grandeur of the Virgin flows from her very special relationship with God-Trinity. The Father chose and predestined her from before all ages so that the wonder of the Divine maternity be brought about in her. Only Mary could truly say, "The Almighty has done great things for me" (Lk 1:49).

The title under which the Order venerates the Virgin of Nazareth perfectly expresses her relationship with us: she is the Mother of Good Remedy. And is not the remedy for the human race none other than Jesus Christ, her Son? He is the healing, the salvation, the remedy of all ills which afflict men and women, and Mary is the Mother of this "Good Remedy": "Mary brought forth Jesus; she bore our Remedy; she brought forth our salvation" (2nd Antiphon at Evening Prayer I).



But Mary was not satisfied with giving the world the Redeemer who would heal our wounds and cure all our infirmities; the Virgin approached her Son to hasten the time of His manifestation as the remedy for our needs. Thus we see her at Cana, interceding with Jesus to remedy the lack of wine; and in the same way we see her throughout our history, encour­aging us and sustaining us with her maternal solicitude in the work of the redemption of captives. Here we are not dealing with providing a remedy for an unforeseen need of little consequence as in Cana, but of confront­ing a grave injustice that endangered the faith of the captives and led to the degradation of their human dignity.


II. Mary in the works of redemption

Attentive to the needs of the Church, the Brothers are bound to carry out an apostolate of mercy and redemption on behalf of those whose faith is in danger. They will direct this work also to those who are burdened by the yoke of some form of modern slavery. (Constitutions, 67)



Mary is our model and Patroness in the apostolic work of redemption. Therefore, we must always be aware of her influence and try to conform ourselves to her if we really want to be redeemers.

The love which the Most Holy Trinity so abundantly shed upon Mary made of her a person perfectly redeemed, and the one who is most committed to the work of redemption. The greater the presence of the love of the Trinity within us, the more intensely and more effectively we shall do the works of redemption.

With St. Paul, we shall feel ourselves compelled to repeat: "The love of Christ compels us." And if we should grow in holiness during our lifetime, the transforming union in the Trinity, then we would experience no debility, nor deviation nor interruption in our redemptive activity.

It was in Mary that the love of the Trinity, which is redemptive love, was found in its highest degree.

May that redeeming love of the Trinity grow within us; thus we shall be in the best condition to become redeemers. To the extent that we are conformed to Mary, we shall be effective laborers in the work of redemption of men and women.

Everything in Mary began with her unconditional availability to the will of God. How many people are there who are perhaps waiting for our fiat, our fidelity to the will of God, our faithfulness to the redemptive vocation given to us by the Trinity — who are waiting for their redemption and their participation in the divine Trinitarian life? To the extent that we increasingly and more effectively form Christ in ourselves and in others, we shall be contributing to the redemption and "Trinitification" of men and women.

Therefore, with Mary who was totally possessed by the Holy Trinity, we must acquire the attitude of a total and generous availability to God Himself, Three and One.

This unconditional consent will produce wonderful effects that will help lead all men and women to redemption and a share in the life of the Trinity. 

Keeping in mind the way in which Mary was associated to the work of redemption, we can better understand how we ourselves can be better involved in that same activity. As in the case of the divine Redeemer as well as in the case of Mary, we also shall be called to what one theologian has termed "the ultimate consequence", i.e. sacrifice. As Christ gave His fiat which led Him to the Cross; and as Mary gave hers, which ended on Calvary, our fiat will also lead us to sacrifice ourselves. Without this attitude, neither shall we be redeemed, nor shall we redeem others,

 Mary's interventions to bring about redemption on behalf of the members of the Church likewise help us to see the many ways and many fields to which we can dedicate ourselves so as to apply the redemption to others.



At times, activities will be asked of us. Whoever is capable of doing works cannot be content merely with sentiments. That would not be love, but rather a caricature of love, Works are expressions of love.

At other times, we shall be asked to sacrifice ourselves. This is definitely the manner most in keeping with Christ's act of redemption. Our Trinitarians must never hesitate to sacrifice themselves so as to alleviate and rescue those who are suffering.

We shall always be asked for our prayer. Trinitarians must never forget the poor captives in their prayers: for the afflicted and for the captives, they will continually intercede.

As consequences of the slavery of sin, we shall find spiritual and material situations which await our intervention, and the captives are groaning because of that sin. How can we not be profoundly moved, seeing that so many — instead of living the divine life of the Trinity as children of God — are alienated from God, who are — as Pius XII said - bodies who are bearing a soul struck dead by sin?

Novena to Our Lady of Good Remedy

O Queen of heaven and earth, Most Holy Virgin, we venerate you. You are the beloved Daughter of the Most High God, the chosen Mother of the Incarnate Word, the Immaculate Spouse of the Holy Spirit, the sacred vessel of the Most Holy Trinity

Mother of the Divine Redeemer, who, under the title of Our Lady of Good Remedy, comes to the aid of all who call upon you, extend your maternal protection to us. We depend on you, dear Mother, as helpless and needy children depend on a tender and caring Mother.

Hail Mary...

Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, grant that we may draw from your treasury of graces in our time of need.
Touch the hearts of sinners, that they may seek reconciliation and forgiveness. Bring comfort to the afflicted and the lonely; help the poor and the hopeless; aid the sick and the suffering. May they be healed in body and strengthened in spirit to endure their sufferings with patient resignation and Christian fortitude.


Hail Mary…



Dear Lady of Good Remedy, source of unfailing help, your compassionate heart knows a remedy for every affliction and misery we encounter in life. Help me, with your prayers and intercession, to find a remedy for my problems and needs, especially for...(indicate your special intentions.)

On my part, loving Mother, I pledge myself to a more intensely Christian lifestyle, to a more careful observance of the laws of God, to be more conscientious in fulfilling the obligations of my state in life, and to strive to be a source of healing in this broken world of ours.

Dear Lady of Good Remedy, be ever present to me and, through your intercessions, may I enjoy health of body and peace of mind, and grow stronger in the faith, and in the love of your Son, Jesus.

Hail Mary…


Pray for us, Holy Mother of Good Remedy, that we may deepen our dedication
 to your Son, and make the world alive with His Spirit.

Trusting in the Lord

This week we hear the powerful stories of Jonah’s interaction with the whale and the Ninivites. These are two stories that give a profound message to anyone in discernment of a vocation or significant life choice. Unlike many other situations in life, this time God is speaking clearly and directly to the faithful.

In yesterday’s reading, Jonah heard the call of God, but runs the opposite way. He is fearful of what God is asking him, and doubts that he can carry out the mission. At first he travels by conventional means to get away from the place that God is calling him to. However, all around him, in nature and in other people, God is moving and working. Jonah is unable to hide from the Lord. The forces of nature stand in his way and obstruct Jonah’s path. People around him ask where he is from, where he is going and who is his God. Finally, the people recognize the powerful presence of God in Jonah and the ability of God to act in our lives. Eventually, even though Jonah has departed from their sight, the sailors pay homage to the Lord.

Next, Jonah goes to a deep, dark, and isolated place. He is symbolically so far away from God that he is out of sight and out of contact with anyone or any thing. But God is still working. In this isolation and quiet, Jonah prayed to God for insight and understanding. Perhaps he even prayed for strength and the ability to follow God’s plan.

Finally, when Jonah embraces the will of the Lord and takes the message of God to Nineveh, the results are almost immediate. Jonah is an instant hit and success. God’s message is clear, and Jonah’s presentation is authentic. The people and the king recognize that Jonah is a man of God and is bringing them a genuine message of repentance, conversion and renewal. After so much trial and tribulation, Johan is successful in carrying out the Lord’s commission.

How much of this has a direct parallel to your own vocation discernment? I often hear people tell me that they have tried to avoid God’s call in subtle or direct ways. Many say that they have tried different career options, faith expressions or even lifestyles that have promised happiness, but only led to failure. Other times, people say that they have tried to pursue other vocations, but never found the happiness and peace they were seeking. Finally, they have come to the point of accepting God’s call to religious life or priesthood, and begun the process of discernment.

In the spirit of Jonah and his journey to accepting God’s call, I invite you to consider your own relationship with God and your process of accepting all that God is offering. What are your fears, doubts, or worries? Perhaps you are concerned about your ability or worthiness. Above all things, trust that God is with you and will work through you. As Jonah was able to trust in the Lord and accomplish great things, so to may you find success in God’s plan for your life.

Please be assured of my prayers and best wishes for you. Along with my other Trinitarian brothers we are praying for you during this journey of discernment. May God who has begun this good work in you, bring it to completion.

St. Simon de Rojas, OSST

St. Simon de Rojas
Trinitarian
28 Sept

One of the greatest devotees whom the most holy Virgin has ever had was, without a doubt, St. Simon. His whole life seems to have been permeated by that Marian piety. He always lived for Mary, with Mary, in Mary and because of Mary.

The Virgin granted him singular graces, whether it was in preparing him to be an excellent preacher, or — especially — in granting him a total victory in the virtue of chastity and a high degree of perfection and holiness.

In the devotion to the Name of Mary (Maria), he saw a means for working toward the practice of the virtues. Thus "M" spoke to him of meekness, mortification and mortality (death). "A" moved him to affection for God and for his neighbor. "R" led him to recollection and resolve in the practice of virtue. "I" obliged him to an intention that was pure in all his acts, and the final "A" provided him with animation to continually forge ahead.

The Saint often said that, in order to be part of the Holy Slavery to Mary, one had to be committed to these three things: 1) the practice of devotion to Mary by means of different exercises in honor of her, so that this devotion might become an efficacious and direct means for salvation and sanctification; 2) the frequent reception of the Sacraments, because in them one encounters Jesus, the Son of Mary; 3) the practice of almsgiving and other works of mercy, for love of the poor, who are also special children of Mary.

The prayer from the liturgy for St. Simon reminds us that he was known for his special devotion to the Virgin and his unceasing works of charity.

Both in the spirit and in the practice of the works of mercy he was a true Trinitarian and has left us a wonderful example of what that should mean. In the description of St. Simon from which we quoted earlier, we read: "He is generous with the poor, whom he considered to be his children, brothers and sisters; and although he was so fond of solitude, he nevertheless spared no efforts to bring a remedy to them... he thirsted for the salvation of souls, and for their well-being spares himself no hardship nor omitted any diligence" (Life, p. 74).

Throughout his whole religious life, and in all the monasteries in which he lived whether as a subject or as minister, he showed a special interest in coming to the aid of the poor. With great affection and generosity he would attend to the distribution of food at the entryway of the monastery, giving religious instructions and spiritual nourishment for bearing patiently with hardship, together with the nourishment he provided for people's bodies. He knew how to be in a dozen places at once, using his contacts and friends to obtain alms to be distributed to those who were poor or disgraced' and in addition to the many who came to him for help in their particular cases, the Saint himself — often moved by some hidden inspiration — would go out in search of others who were in need.

When the issue arose of his being named as confessor to the Queen, among the other conditions he set down before accepting the job, one was: "That I not be impeded from taking care of the poor and visiting them in the prisons and hospitals." As the King and Queen insisted on giving him a large salary for the position, the Saint told them clearly that whatever they gave him would only be accepted if it could be considered as alms to be distributed to the poor in the name of the Queen.

His biographer states that, as a good Trinitarian, St. Simon had a desire to redeem captives, willing to hand himself over to death, if it were necessary, to rescue them (p. 88). When he was Minister in Madrid, the Servants of God Bernard Monory, Aguila and Palacios, were sent to Algiers as redeemers. The Saint envied their luck, but his position required that he remain in Madrid. Divine Providence arranged it that three redeemers be imprisoned and should spend long years of suffering and martyrdom in the dungeons, until the deaths, so precious in the eyes of the Lord. In those circumstances, St. Simon's love for his brothers and for the captives was particularly manifest.

He carried on a holy correspondence by mail to encourage those who were suffering. He saw to it that huge sums of money were sent to Algiers. He collected it from alms and sent it on promptly so that the redeemers could provide food and clothing for the captives. By that support, he hoped that they would be better able to withstand their abuse at the hands of their tyrannical captors. It is almost unbelievable to see the amount of efforts the Saint made to obtain freedom for the redeemers; but he was unable to achieve anything, for it was the will of God that the three, one after another, should obtain the palm of martyrdom, after having been the consolation and support for the Christian captives for so many years.

In addition to providing all the material help that was possible, St. Simon multiplied his prayers and penances on behalf of the captives, to obtain their freedom, or at very least to obtain the patience and resignation necessary to endure their circumstances.

Fr. Juan Borrego, O.SS.T.

A Fool for Christ

Dear Friends,
It is with great sadness that I share the news of Fr. Donald's death with you. Many of you will recall reading several reflections from Fr. Donald here on the Vocation Office Blog. Please pray for our beloved deceased and join us in remembering his life and faith. The following post is a summary of the funeral homily given by Fr. Damon, OSST.

It’s a strange, privilege of preaching at someone’s First Mass and now the last. It’s truly a great honor. 

In the Liturgy of the Hours, we have several different Votive Offices for the saints: apostles, martyrs, pastors, doctors, those who worked with the under privileged, etc. In the Eastern Church there is still one more Votive Office for the ‘Fools for Christ.”

‘Fools for Christ’ are described as good people; so intense, naïve, idealistic, sincere, they drive you nuts. We all know someone who fits this description; we’ve been around them and they’ve rubbed off on us. Their faith is intense and so is their way of life.

We find the description of this type of person in St Paul’s in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor 4:10) People thought he was a fanatic. He boasted that he was empowered by Christ while the wise and strong were humbled. They wanted be modern, cool, and reasonable, St. Paul however, insisted on basics; on a Christ centered life. 

A familiar character who might solidify this image for us is St. Francis. He looks cute in garden. He’s harmless as a statue, holding a bird bath. But living with him is another question. His austerity and intensity were so severe that he could put people off.

Our Brother Donald was pretty much that way. He lived an intense life of faith and practice. He constantly examined his own life to ensure that he was living the Gospel in the most authentic manner possible. Also, he strove to call those around him to this same degree of belief and action. Donald wanted the best of Christ’s life for himself and for others.  

In a sense fools for Christ are prophets, gifts to us. They remind us, call us, irritate us, challenge us, call us to growth and repentance even when we don't want to hear. But it is all because they love us and love God. 

Though Paul and Francis had rough edges, there was something deeper; a more profound indwelling of God within them. So with Donald.  

I think that his greatest gift: his warmth, his compassion, his sincere brotherhood, his genuine ability to draw people in and make them feel special.  I think these qualities so unique to him more than outweighed his ability to occasionally drive us crazy. I shall miss him terribly as I know you do now.  

I will never forget how he drove up to Houston to find me after hurricane Ike last year. He wanted to check in on me, make sure I was alright and see if I needed anything. Because of the damage and fallen limbs on the seminary property, he had to climb thru window to get to me.  

Donald cared for so many of our ailing and sick brothers in their times of need or in their last days. His caring and compassionate side shined brightly in his attention to Wolfgang, Daniel, Luke, and Rich. His love and commitment were unmistakable. As any caregiver will tell you, at times tough love was the medicine of the day. However, all in all, Donald spent hours and days at their sides.

Our brother Donald showed us the impractical foolishness of the Gospel. He took the poor and the marginalized into the house with him. Their need and situation became part of his life and faith. Funeral homilies are certainly not a canonization of the deceased. But hopefully we are reminded of who Donald truly was. He was a fool for Christ; he acted upon his beliefs and he sought to see the beauty of God’s image in everyone.