Made for Mission Podcast

Today we begin a new theme as Disciples Together on the Way: The Corporal Works of Mercy.

What are the corporal works of mercy? These are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his or her bodily or, to use another word, corporeal existence. Hence the word "corporal".

These works of mercy include feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says:

“Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God.”

As we approach the Feast of All Souls and the Month of the Holy Souls in November, Bishop Boyea's challenge this week focuses on one particular Corporal Works of Mercy: Burying the dead. He says:

"Here’s my challenge for this week: Visit a cemetery. That may be a visit to a grave of a loved one or, even better, a grave that never receives a visitor or someone to pray for their soul. In fact, if we visit a cemetery and pray for the dead between November 1 and November 8 we receive a plenary indulgence. That is the remission of the temporal punishment due for our sins whose guilt has already been forgiven."

Welcome to Week 42 of Disciples Together on the Way with Bishop Boyea. This week, Bishop Boyea continues on the theme of the saints. Here's his challenge:

"My challenge for you this week is to read about the saint feast days for this week. Choose one to celebrate in some manner. If you are drawn to celebrate another saint this week – maybe a patron saint of your household or parish feel free to do so. Let’s make a fuss of it!" The saints celebrated this week are as follows: 

Sunday, October 23: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time;
Monday, October 24; Feast of St. Anthony Claret, Bishop;
Tuesday, October 25: Feast of Six Welsh Martyrs and Companions; Feast of Saints Chrysanthus and Daria, Martyrs; Feast of Saints Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs;
Wednesday, October 26: Feast of Saint Fulk of Piacenza, Bishop;
Thursday, October 27: Feast of Saint Evaristus, Pope and Martyr;
Friday, October 28: Feast of Saints Simon and Jude, Apostles;
Saturday, October 29: Feast Saint Narcissus of Jerusalem, Bishop.

Here's Bishop Earl Boyea's challenge to you for Week 41 of Disciples Together on the Way: 

"If you don’t already have a patron saint for your household, then I encourage you to nominate one."

"Is there someone who exemplifies the goals your household has? Was he or she particularly generous, kind, or courageous? Maybe he or she suffered with such dignity and joy that your household finds encouragement during their trials."

"Of course, it is always best to turn to God and ask Him who He would like to nominate. The Lord knows your household best and can choose the best-suited Saint in Heaven to intercede for you."

"If you are living with family members, try having a conversation about this with them. If you live alone, perhaps bring a couple of names in prayer to the Lord and have him select one for you."

Here's Bishop Earl Boyea's challenge for Week 40 of Disciples Together on the Way, October 9 to October 15, on the topic of the saints: 

"Get to know the saints! Pick a saint and read about his or her life or watch a video describing the saint. Perhaps, we might try to know more about a saint after whom we were named as babies or one whose name we took in Confirmation. Then, for this week, let us have a daily prayer devotion to that saint. We might go to our neighborhood Church and light a candle in honor of that saint.  Perhaps, we can visit a shrine such as the Blessed Solanus Casey Center in Detroit or the Cross in the Woods in Indian River. The saints are the best teachers of our faith because they’re living proof that transformation in grace is possible. And it’s for everyone! Get to know the saints!"

This week Bishop Earl Boyea begins a new theme as Disciples Together on the Way: The Saints. That is, those who have followed in the footsteps of Christ and by his grace have made their lives holy and carried out the mission the Father entrusted to them. This is a call for all of us!

Hence, this week, Bishop Boyea is holding up one particular example of saintliness in the world: Saint Thomas More, the great 16th century English statesman who served King Henry VIII as Lord High Chancellor of England. 

Bishop Boyea's challenge is to watch the 1966 film, A Man for All Seasons, which recounts the dramatic story of Thomas More's holy life and holy death. The film is widely available on most streaming services.

Over the past three weeks we have prayed daily to discern the will of God in our lives knowing that the closer we align our mind, heart, soul and strength to his divine plan for our lives, the happier and holier we will be. This week, as Disciples Together on the Way, it's time for action.

How does God speak to us when we are discerning his divine will for our lives knowing, as we do, that in following these supernatural promptings we will find our greatest happiness, peace and purpose in this life and, Deo volente, in the next? Listen to the advice of Bishop Earl Boyea in, this, Week 37 of Disciples Together on the Way.

This week Bishop Boyea continues to guide us through a 30-day retreat based upon the writings of the great spiritual master, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the 16th century founder of the Society of Jesus. Click on this video to discover Saint Ignatius' 14 rules for discerning the will of God in your life. Thus, Saint Ignatius’ motto can become our motto in life as well: Ad majórem Dei glóriam! For the greater glory of God!

This week, as Disciples Together on the Way, Bishop Earl Boyea is taking us on retreat. What's a retreat? Bishop Boyea explains: 

"That’s time away from the business of daily life, often in solitude, often in silence, often directed by a spiritual guide." Bishops and priests are required in Canon Law to make a retreat yearly.

"All of us, though, are called to holiness. Sisters and brothers, we are all called to be saints! Hence, it is good that we all make a retreat in order to discern God’s call in our lives. And that’s exactly what we’ll do over the next four weeks as Disciples Together on the Way."  

"So, now here is what we will be doing: this week and for the next three following weeks we will be going on retreat.  The busy person kind of retreat. So, early every morning for 30 days we’ll text you an installment of a 30-day Ignatian retreat that has been developed by St. Mary Catholic Center at Texas A&M University. It is called Taking Back the Crown and was created to reach out to students." 

Click here for link to 30-day Ignatian retreat: https://anchor.fm/takingbackthecrown/episodes/Day-1---Getting-Started-on-Retreat-St--Ignatius--an-Act-of-Presence-ebogud

This week Bishop Boyea's Disciples Together on the Way challenge is a little different from previous weeks as we take a pause from beginning a new challenge to refocus on a challenge that we’ve already done. 

"Think about a challenge that was presented over the past eight weeks. They focused on the virtues and then on intercessory prayer," says Bishop Boyea.

 "Ask the Lord to show you where you need to spend some more time and effort cultivating the habit of a good disciple. Then, repeat a particular challenge from these past eight weeks."

Note: The past eight challenges have been:

Week 26 | The Virtues | Every day this week, recite the Litany of Humility

Week 27 | The Virtues | Invite a family to your home for a meal or take a meal to a homebound person

Week 28 | The Virtues | Moderation: At meals, eat less than you desire and don’t tell anyone

Week 29 | The Virtues | Overcoming the Deadly Sin of Anger

Week 30 | Intercession | Ask family, friend, or stranger if there is anything you can pray for, then commit to praying for that intention for the week

Week 31 | Intercession | Every day this week pray for someone you find difficult or would view as an adversary

Week 32 | Intercession | Pray for Your Beloved Dead

Week 33 | Intercession | Pray for someone who is lapsed from the Faith