"ESTO DIGNUS - BE WORTHY"
From the pulpit of the State Father Prior...
State Father Prior Concelebrates Mass:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Father Prior's Independence Day Message:
Fourth of July 2010
We have recently celebrated Independence Day for the United States of America; however, we should continue to focus ourselves on its content and meaning throughout the month of July. Our joy for that day has incredible importance, not only for us, but also for the world. Those men and women of the American Revolution risked everything for God, their neighbors, and their children. It is for that reason that our independence is critically important, because those men and women of many backgrounds and races put aside their own selfish concerns in order to build up something better, under God, for all the other people of this nation, becoming an example for the world. Out of this desire to do the common good for all people of the colonies, those brave leaders, the founding fathers, recognized “that all men are created equal” in the Declaration of Independence. Granted, we as a nation have not always lived up to this ideal and many have been hurt by such failures. However, by constantly reminding ourselves of that basic natural truth, we can continually face our failures and correct them. It is necessary for every generation to stand up against the evil of their day establishing right justice in our society.
How do we accomplish this? We first must know our history so as to learn how our ancestors faced the challenge of evil and oppression. Then, armed with the principles of this good nation, we can recognize the deceptions weaved in our society today and face that challenge with our lives.
Primarily, the founders of the United States relied upon faith to illuminate their minds and hearts on the right course of action. This is clearly shown in the words of the first prayer of the Continental Congress, 1774: “O Lord our Heavenly Father, …, who dost from Thy throne behold all the dwellers on earth and reignest with power supreme and uncontrolled over all the Kingdoms, Empires and Governments; look down in mercy, we beseech Thee, on these our American States, who have fled to Thee from the rod of the oppressor and thrown themselves on Thy gracious protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on Thee…” The founding fathers and the brave men and women who fought and died for our independence knew that the success and good of this nation was completely reliant on God. We, as children of this heritage, must understand this history and perpetually pray for God’s help and intervention.
One of the most important principles of this nation is that, by the power of God, we are created equal. By virtue of our humanity, we can see this due dignity. No matter whether rich or poor, young, old, or unborn, black, white, red, yellow or brown, equal treatment and protection by the law must be reestablished. Dr. King expressed the dream that people of this nation would be judged by the content of their character. He faced the challenges of his day at the cost of his life for the dignity of his children. Are you willing to do the same? How are the policies and laws of our government giving favors to some and stealing the liberties of others. Our equal dignity is founded on God’s gift of free will which is a blessing when we use it responsibly and a curse when we use it selfishly. In the same way, society needs to let people and corporations reap the harvest of their decisions both morally and economically.
On this celebration of independence, how are we going to honor this nation and those who died to establish it? Their sacrifice and willingness to do what was right is not only a reward for us, their decedents, but also a great beacon of hope for those who live in other nations on what is possible for them. Are we going to bury our heads in the sand letting the world and others determine the future? Or, are we going to be true Americans willing to risk everything for the common good shaping, by our own hands, this nation’s future through God’s power for our children and neighbors?
Fr. Luke Jauregui
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Father Prior's 2010 Convention Letter:
Columbian Squires,
Half way through the year of our Lord 2010, as Squires aspiring to be men of the 3rd millennia, we need to ask the question; what does it mean to be a true man? The direction of our society has generated a cultural image of masculinity which is contradictory to the truth. Throughout television, movies, music, politicians, CEOs, teachers, athletes, and even the average guy this culture has adopted a selfish perspective of manhood. There is an attitude of simply “get what you can when you can”; or if someone else is rich, well, “we should take from them to give to others”; or if I am poor, “I can break the law to help myself.” These are truly non-masculine ideas fulfilling a diabolical purpose.
To understand true manhood, we must go first to the greatest man of all time, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. He showed us true masculinity. Jesus never took anything from anyone. Jesus accepted what the Father gave to Him and then gave everything to the Church. He stood up for what was right and true no matter the consequence. When the world was in desperate need of saving, forgiveness, and justice, Jesus did not have someone else solve the problem for Him. Rather, He rolled up His sleeves, became man, and sacrificed Himself out of love for us. Fundamentally, true men offer themselves sacrificially for the good of others whom we should love. It is only through the gift of ourselves that we are truly masculine; and it is only in fulfilling ourselves as men, according to our creation, that we will find happiness and peace.
Squires, consider what Christ showed us. What choices are you making in your lives today? Are you a taker like the devil, or are you a giver like Christ?
May God bless you and your families with the Holy Spirit‘s gift of fortitude and grace,
Fr Luke Jauregui
Page last updated 8/30/11