St.
Vincent de Paul
We should
always be prepared to give up readily, with the sure
belief that the change comes by the will of God.
--St. Vincent
de Paul
Detachment
is the secret of perseverance.
--Bl. Sebastian
Valfre
Let us detach ourselves in spirit from all that we
see and cling to that which we believe. This
is the cross which we must imprint on all our daily
actions and behavior.
--St.
Peter Damian
Holy indifference is of the nature of pure love
which directs the will to that which is most perfect
and destroys every obstacle.
--St. Vincent
de Paul
Image of the
Holy Spirit
(modern prayer
card)
"Repent and believe the Good News!"
Penance means conversion. The Confraternity of
Penitents is a world wide private Catholic
association of the faithful, completely loyal to our
Pope and the Magisterium.
Our Rule of Life has been reviewed by our bishop and
recognized in these words: "this Rule does not
contain anything contrary to our faith; therefore it
may be safely practiced privately by you or by
anyone inclined to do so. . . . His Excellency
is appreciative of your efforts to live and promote
Franciscan spirituality and especially promote the
neglected practice of penance and he wishes you
success" (January 30, 1998).
Members of the Confraternity of Penitents live this
Rule in their own homes, devoted to prayer, penance,
fasting, conversion, and works of mercy modeled on
Jesus Christ and inspired by the lives and teachings
of
St. Francis,
St. Dominic,
St. Therese,
St. Benedict,
St. Augustine,
St. Ignatius,
and all the saints, most especially Mary, the Mother
of God, who lived a life of true penance
(conversion) in perfect union with our Lord.
May Our Lady and all the saints intercede for all
who wish to embrace a life of penance, anywhere in
the world, so that the grace of God will assist them
to obtain every virtue necessary for a life of
holiness and surrender to the Will of God! Amen.
PRAYER OF PENITENTS
"Most High, Glorious God, enlighten the darkness
of my mind, give me right faith, a firm hope and
perfect charity, so that I may always and in all
things act according to Your Holy Will. Amen."
(Saint Francis's prayer before the San Damiano
Crucifix)
MISSION OF PENITENTS
"Go and repair My House
which, as you can see, is falling into ruin." (The
message given to St. Francis in a voice from the San
Damiano Crucifix.)
ACTION OF PENITENTS
To pray for God's
specific direction in one's life so that, through
humbly living our Rule of Life, each penitent may
help to rebuild the house of God by bringing love of
God and neighbor to his or her own corner of the
world.
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LETTER
OF REFOUNDING OF
THE CONFRATERNITY OF PENITENTS
With the knowledge of Bishop Robert Mulvee, bishop of the
Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, USA, and
with the approval of three priest advisors, Dom
Julian Stead, OSB, Father John of the Trinity,
Erem TOCarm, and Father Martin Mary Fonte, FI,
the original foundation of members living a
modern adaptation of the Rule of 1221 was
refounded, on August 22, 2003, as the
Confraternity of Penitents. The same Rule
and Statutes were retained without change.
The formation program and formation lessons, as
approved by the Visitor of the Association and
filed with the Diocese of Providence in 1999,
were kept without alteration. A symbol,
the San Damiano Crucifix, and motto, taken from
Matthew 22, as well as the prayer of St. Francis
before the San Damiano Crucifix, were adopted as
accurately portraying the Confraternity's
charism and emphasis.
Various documents of the refounding, including the
Handbook of the
Confraternity, were sent to the Diocese of
Providence and were acknowledged in a letter from
Msgr. Wiliam I. Varsanyi, Diocesan Vicar
for Canonical Affairs, dated October 1, 2003.
The letter began, "This is to acknowledge
receipt of the lengthy information concerning
the Confraternity of Penitents, a recently
established private association with the
permission of Bishop Mulvee. I will file
the material in our diocesan archives. . .
. Wishing God's continued blessings for your
Apostolate, and with every best wish, I remain,
Sincerely yours in Christ, (Rev. Msgr.) William
I. Varsanyi, Vicar General." Msgr.
Varsanyi is also Vicar for
Canonical Affairs.
A
Mass to celebrate the
refounding and a pot luck dinner held on November 22, 2003.
Photos are on this
link.
Every year
thereafter, the Confraternity of Penitents has
marked the refounding with a Mass, on August 22,
in thanksgiving for God's many graces to us. May
He be forever praised!
Confraternity of Penitents
520 Oliphant Lane
Middletown RI USA
02842-4600
401/849-5421
bspenance@hotmail.com
copenitents@yahoo.com
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