Dear Friend,

You still have an opportunity to include your intentions in these Holy Masses, which began on June 9 and will conclude on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 11; please submit or update your personal intentions.

Today, let us focus on what is at stake when the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops meet for their Spring General Assembly, from June 16-18. It was revealed a couple of days ago that in May, 68 Bishops (including 5 Cardinals) signed a letter asking USCCB president Archbishop Jose Gomez to drop any discussion about prohibiting any pro-abortion, self-identified Catholics in public life from receiving Holy Communion at next week’s annual meeting. That is roughly 25% of the Bishops who will be attending. In our prayers below, we will invoke the Sacred Heart of Jesus to enlighten the minds and hearts of the Bishops. 

In March Conversations with Cardinal Burke, His Eminence articulated in clear and unwavering terms, what steps should be taken, especially regarding President Biden, when presenting himself for Holy Communion. This can also be applied to any Catholic politician:

“There are 2 things that should be done immediately. One has to do with discipline regarding the reception of the Sacraments. When a person who obstinately and publicly denies truths of the faith and actually acts against the truths of the faith or of the moral law, he/she may not present himself or herself to receive Holy Communion.”

“Regarding abortion, there are 2 truths: One is the holiness of the Eucharist; it is the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ and to receive the Body of Christ, knowingly and willingly in a state of sin is a sacrilege.  It is one of the worse sins. And St. Paul said already in the First Letter to the Corinthians, in Chapter 11: He who eats the Body and Blood of Christ without recognizing it eats his own condemnation, And, so in order to prevent a commission of a sacrilege we have to insist that such people not approach to receive Holy Communion.  It’s not only for their own salvation, certainly but also then too to avoid the scandal given to others who see someone who is publicly promoting grievously immoral acts and yet presents himself to receive Holy Communion.  And that is the first thing. And that has nothing to do with a penalty. People say you are punishing him, no, it has to do with the worthy reception of the sacrament; it’s simply the discipline that is necessary because of the reality of the Holy Eucharist. The second question is that such a person who claims to be a Catholic and yet promotes in such an open way, an aggressive way, like a crime of procured abortion is in a state of (at least) apostacy.  In other words, to do this is to draw away from Christ. And to draw away from the Catholic faith. And so, the second action which needs to be considered is a canonical penalty, a sanction for the crime of apostacy and which would be excommunication. 

Let us invoke the Sacred Heart of Jesus to give the Bishops the gift of wisdom and to enlighten their minds. St. Charles Borromeo, the Patron Saint of Bishops, spoke clearly on what the job of a Bishop is: “If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our lives with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God as much as possible and have no other view or end in all our actions but the divine honor.”

St. Patrick, fifth-century Apostle and Bishop, spoke of his time in prison, when God bestowed upon him the graces for his conversion: “It was there that the Lord opened the understanding of my unbelieving heart, so that I should recall my sins and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God."

Prayer for Bishops and Priests:

Remember, O most loving heart of Jesus, that they for whom I pray are those for whom you prayed so earnestly the night before your death.  These are they to whom you look to continue with you in your sorrows when others forsake you, who share your griefs and have inherited your persecutions, according to your word: That the servant is not greater than his Lord.  Remember, O heart of Jesus, that they are the objects of the world's hatred and Satan's deadliest snares.  Keep them then, O Jesus, in the safe citadel of your Sacred Heart and there let them be sanctified in truth. May they be one with you and one among themselves, and grant that multitudes may be brought through their word to believe in you and love you.

We invoke you, O most loving heart of Jesus, to grant all Bishops attending the USCCB meeting next week enlightenment in all their thoughts, words and actions, the grace to speak out boldly to defend the worthiness of the Sacrament of Holy Communion and the guidance of The Holy Spirit. May they only have Your Divine Honor in mind when making decisions. 

O most holy Heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure, and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, (mention your personal intentions here) Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.

Submit your intentions for the Holy Masses that will end on June 11 (Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus):  

Together, let us continue to Storm Heaven, invoking the Heart of Jesus, who is rich in mercy and love, to have mercy on us and on the whole world! 

Your friend in Christ,

Thomas J. McKenna 
Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
http://www.catholicaction.org/