Fr. James Flanagan, founder of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
“I’m going to live the Paschal Mystery,” Fr. Flanagan softly said.
The reporter half-understood what the priest said and half-heartedly took in the mysterious comment.
Years later the reporter came to the conclusion that Fr. Flanagan was urging Catholics who wanted to become serious about their faith … to become “Thursday” Catholics.
So, what is a Thursday Catholic?
A Thursday Catholic is a committed pilgrim on a spiritual journey who commemorates on a weekly basis the Triduum of Holy Week starting on Thursday evening reflecting on the Last Supper with the institution of the Sacrament of the Eucharist, moving on to be an appreciative and involved spectator at the Good Friday crucifixion of Jesus, followed the next day by standing guard of heart and mind at Jesus’ tomb on that quiet Holy Saturday, then culminating the Paschal Mystery on Sunday morning at the celebration of Mass remembering once again that glorious Easter morning.
In another Thursday-related Catholic message the German mystic, Mutter Vogel, received the following message allegedly from Jesus about never criticizing priests …
“Child, never judge your confessor, rather pray much for him and offer every Thursday, through the hands of My Blessed Mother, Holy Communion (for him),” Mutter Vogel reported in 1939.
For serious Catholics the new year begins on the First Sunday of Advent, not January 1st.
For really serious Catholics the new week begins with Thursday at the evening meal with the entire family … living the Paschal Mystery throughout the weekend … and thereby becoming Thursday Catholics.
The South Coast Report, also known as the Catholic Investigative Journal, reports and investigates issues, trends, and inspirational stories that have the potential of helping to usher in the coming Era of Peace.
TAGS: Fr. James Flanagan, Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, Paschal Mystery, Mutter Vogel’s Worldwide Love.