Decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary on Plenary Indulgences for the deceased faithful in the current pandemic, 23.10.2020

This year, in the current circumstances due to the “Covid-19” pandemic, the Plenary Indulgences for the deceased faithful will be extended throughout the entire month of November, with adaptation of works and conditions to guarantee the safety of the faithful.

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Prayer of Saint Gertrude the Great for the Souls in Purgatory

"Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus,
in union with the Masses said throughout the world today, for all the holy Souls in Purgatory".

Our Lord told Saint Gertrude the Great that this prayer would release 1,000 souls from Purgatory each time it is said.  Approval and Recommendation signed by M. Cardinal Pahiarca, Lisbon, Portugal March 4, 1936.

Read more about St. Gertrude the Great.

The Power of Holy Water

Holy water is a sacramental that remits venial sin. Because of the blessing attached to it, Holy Mother Church strongly urges its use upon her children, especially when dangers threaten, such as fire, storms, sickness and other calamities. Every Catholic home always should have in it a supply of holy water.

We do NOT take advantage of the benefits derived from holy water. Let us cultivate its use.  Untold spiritual wealth is concentrated in a tiny drop of blessed water. And we give it so little thought!

Did we realize now, as we shall realize after death, the many benefits which may be derived from Holy Water, we would use it far more frequently, and with greater faith and reverence. Holy water has its great power and efficacy from the prayers of the Church, which its Divine Founder always accepts with complacency.

Following are some of the petitions the priest makes to God when He blesses water:

“Oh God…..grant that this creature of Thine (water) may be endowed with divine grace to drive away devils and to cast out diseases, that whatever in the houses or possessions of the faithful may be sprinkled by this water may be freed from everything unclean, and delivered from what is hurtful…..  Let everything that threatens the safety or peace of the dwellers therein be banished by the sprinkling of this water, so that the health which they seek by calling upon Thy Holy Name may be guarded from all assault.”

PRAYERS EFFECTIVE - These prayers ascend to Heaven each time you take holy water and sprinkle a drop either for yourself or for another, whether he be present or absent; and God’s blessings descend on soul and body.

DISPEL THE DEVIL - The devil hates holy water because of its power over him. He cannot long abide in a place or near a person that is often sprinkled with this blessed water.

DO YOUR DEAR ONES LIVE AT A DISTANCE? - Holy water, sprinkled with faith and piety, can move the Sacred Heart to bless your loved ones and protect them from all harm of soul and body.  When worry and fear take possession of your heart, hasten to your holy water font, and give your dear ones the benefit of the Church’s prayers.

THE HOLY SOULS LONG FOR IT! - Only in Purgatory can one understand how ardently a poor soul longs for holy water. If we desire to make a host of intercessors for ourselves, let us try to realize now some of their yearnings, and never forget them at the holy water font. The holy souls nearest to Heaven may need the sprinkling of only one drop to relieve their pining souls.

REMITS VENIAL SINS - Because holy water is one of the Church’s sacramentals, it remits venial sin. Keep your soul beautifully pure in God’s sight by making the Sign of the Cross carefully while saying: “By this holy water and by Thy Precious Blood wash away all my sins, O Lord.”

Imprimatur: Albert G. Meyer, Archbishop of Milwaukee, Jan. 13, 1958

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - August 15th

On August 15 the universal Church celebrates the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which we commemorate her being taken up body and soul into heaven when her earthly life was finished. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us: “The Most Blessed Virgin Mary, when the course of her earthly life was completed, was taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, where she already shares in the glory of her Son's Resurrection, anticipating the resurrection of all members of His Body” (974). Thus, the Assumption looks to eternity and gives us hope that we, too, will follow Our Lady when our life is ended.

The Assumption first began to be celebrated as a feast day in the Eastern Church after the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431) proclaimed Mary the Mother of God. By the sixth century, the feast celebrated Mary’s Dormition, “her falling asleep.” The western church began to celebrate this feast around 650. St. John Damascene (675-749), an early Father and Doctor of the Church, expressed the belief of his time by writing that Mary’s “pure and sinless body was not left on earth but was transferred to a heavenly throne.”   The Church’s teaching on the Assumption was formally proclaimed a doctrine by Pope Pius XII in 1950.

On this Feast Day, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, who always directs us to her Son.  According to Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, “The main ministry of Mary is to incline men’s hearts to obedience to the Will of her Divine Son.” Her last recorded words at Cana are the words that she conveys to us on the solemnity of the Assumption: “Do whatever He tells you.” She asks us to be obedient to Him, to surrender our hearts to Him, and to say “Yes” to Him, just as she did, despite our uncertainties. She desires that we come to Him with open and contrite hearts, seeking His mercy and His holy will in our lives, so that we may one day be united with Him in heaven for all eternity. The Blessed Mother is our advocate and guide in this life who loves us as only a mother can. Her maternal heart overflows with compassion for us, and she is always there for us, eager to listen to our prayers, and to draw us closer to the heart of her Son. Our Blessed Mother has preceded us into Heaven so that on the day of final judgment she will be there to accompany us on our eternal journey.

Portiuncula Indulgence

From midnight August 1st to midnight August 2nd, you can gain the “Portinuncula” Indulgence.  To obtain the Portiuncula plenary indulgence, a person must visit the Chapel of Our Lady of the Angels at Assisi, or a Franciscan sanctuary, or one’s parish church, with the intention of honoring Our Lady of the Angels. Then perform the work of reciting the Creed and Our Father and pray for the Pope’s designated intentions. You should be free, at least intentionally, of attachment to venial and mortal sin, and truly repentant. Make your sacramental confession 8 days before or after. Participate at assist at Mass and receive Holy Communion 8 days before or after.  

The Portiuncula indulgence is the first plenary indulgence that was ever granted in the Church. There were indeed indulgences at all times, but they were only partial, and only a partial remission of the temporal punishments could be obtained by them. He who gains the Portiuncula indulgence is freed from all temporal punishments and becomes as pure as after holy baptism. This was also the reason why Pope Honorius was astonished when St. Francis petitioned for the confirmation of this indulgence, for such an indulgence, up to that time, had been entirely unknown. It was only after he had come to the conviction that Jesus Christ himself wished it, that he granted the petition of the saint and confirmed the indulgence.

The Traditional Latin Mass Resumes Outdoors

The Traditional Latin Mass at Saint Mary Magdalen in Camarillo at 10AM has been re-started. With the new restrictions, we will be having Mass in the open courtyard next to the chapel on the left side, until further notice. Please be generous to the Parish in your donations, as they have been very accommodating to the Latin Mass community.

There are presently no attendance restrictions, so reservations are not required, but the space and social distancing requirements will limit the number who can fit within the courtyard area. Although some chairs will be provided, there are not enough chairs for everyone, so plan to bring chairs for yourselves. Also, there will be no kneeling pads provided, so we recommend you bring something with you, as concrete can be difficult to kneel on for an extended period. At this time of year, there is very little shade in the courtyard area, so we recommend you bring some sort of portable shelter, if you have one. Men should not be wearing hats during Mass. We will be using a PA system for sound, so it may be difficult to hear in some locations of the courtyard, especially with background noise. Plan on arriving early if you wish to assure yourself a seat. 

Those who feel at risk due to the Covid-19 virus may feel uncomfortable in this setting, as social distancing will be difficult to enforce in some situations, so they may wish to opt-out from attending the Mass. Communion on the tongue is the norm, and the priest will disinfect his fingers with alcohol after each person receives Communion. Confessions will be available before Mass around 9:15AM, behind the chapel, near the parish office.  If you see the Priest hearing someone's confession, please walk around the other side of the chapel to get to the courtyard.  

We are blessed to have this Mass again, so please be patient with our new "operating conditions."

Fr. Michael Kokoszka

The FSSP parish of Saint Vitus now has a third priest!  Please welcome Fr. Michael Kokoszka who just arrived June 26th!  Here is his brief biography:

Father Michael Kokoszka is a native of Western Massachusetts.  He was ordained in the Diocese of Springfield, MA and has been a Priest for the last two years.  Prior to his seminary studies he held jobs as an HVAC mechanic, tractor-trailer driver and health care fraud investigator.  He later obtained a bachelors degree in mathematics from Westfield State College.  Father Kokoszka attributes his vocation due to Eucharistic Adoration and the Holy Rosary.  He loves the outdoors, bike riding, skiing, spiritual reading and an assortment of other activities.  He is excited to join the clergy at Saint Vitus, excercising his Priesthood and is looking forward to meeting everyone.

By the way, his last name is pronounced:  ko-KO-shuh

Vobiscum - FSSP Smartphone App

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter in Los Angeles has a smartphone APP which has been recently updated to a new one.  The old one will be disabled on June 30th. 

Please go to the Apple App Store or to Android Google Play to download "Vobiscum" and sign up to stay in the loop!

Adria Mary Laubacher

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Adria Laubacher, a long time attendee and supporter of the Latin Mass who quietly passed away June 18, 2020, at the age of 94.  

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Laura Burke – July 1932 - May 14, 2020

Please pray for the repose of the soul of Laura Burke, a long time attendee and supporter of the Latin Mass and resident of Camarillo who quietly passed away May 14, 2020, at the age of 87.  Laura and her husband Hozie were very generous, purchasing the red missals for everyone's use.  They also used to provide transportation for Fr. Morgan to say the Latin Mass when it was at the San Buenaventura Mission on a regular basis.  They were very welcoming to any new attendees of the Mass and will be missed by those who knew them.  She was preceded in death by Hozie on September 21, 2018, and had been unable to attend the Mass in Camarillo for the past several years due to declining health.

Obituary