Jesus said to his disciples:
“I have much more to tell you, but you cannot bear it now.
But when he comes, the Spirit of truth,
he will guide you to all truth.
He will not speak on his own,
but he will speak what he hears,
and will declare to you the things that are coming.
He will glorify me,
because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you.
Everything that the Father has is mine;
for this reason I told you that he will take from what is mine
and declare it to you.”

To observe this Trinity Sunday, turn your attention to the Sign of the Cross and the spiritual power that it contains.  One of my fond memories as a young boy was to see the men from Catholic families taking a moment to tip their hats and make the sign of the Cross whenever they walked or drove in front of a Catholic Church.  

We are reminded of the importance of dipping our hand in Holy Water and reverently making the sign of the Cross on entering the Church for Mass or a visit.

I when I taught at Cardinal Mooney High School, I was the chaplain of their champion football team.  The team had a practice of prayer before each game on the field.  They put the chaplain in the middle of the huddle.  A Hail Mary, a blessing with the Sign of the Cross, and then all, with arms raised, uttered a big, loud, “Amen!”  One time they hit my eye!  Off went my glasses and then a hit in the eye … “Oh, sorry Father!” … then a big black eye!  Years later I see many of them.  I am happy when I realize they are doing well as fine Catholic family men all still making the Sign of the Cross.  It was worth it.  

Then there is the blessing of a rosary, a medal, a car, a ring, a statue — it is very quick: “May almighty God bless this rosary in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” But the object blessed is set apart for you — and now with God — by the sign of the Cross.

Many times in talking informally with Catholic people even in a mall or a store, and a problem is discussed they will make a sign of the Cross, as if to state, “We need God’s help on this one!” 

And, oh yes, even on the death bed:  Often in the end of life’s journey as a priest I am called to be there.  Often the persons are in their late 90s. Often as we pray together, and I wonder if the person even knows that I am there.  But then — often all of a sudden — the person feebly but reverently makes the sign of the Cross.  

The great mystery of the Trinity is this:  God our Father makes us . Without Him, I cannot take the next breath. God the Son, Jesus, saves us.  Without the Son Jesus I cannot be saved. God the Holy Spirit helps and guides us. Without the Holy Spirit, I would be a mess.  

The Sign of the Cross is a great mystery — one true God, but three distinct Persons equal in majesty.   And so is your life — a great mystery to be lived before the sign of the Cross — never just a problem to be solved.  

Live before the sign of the Cross! Live before this great mystery we have just reflected on together.  AMEN.

Monsignor Michael J. Cariglio, Jr., Pastor & Rector, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Basilica and Saint Anthony Parish

Thus says the wisdom of God:
“The LORD possessed me, the beginning of his ways,
the forerunner of his prodigies of long ago;
from of old I was poured forth,
at the first, before the earth.
When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no fountains or springs of water;
before the mountains were settled into place,
before the hills, I was brought forth;
while as yet the earth and fields were not made,
nor the first clods of the world.

“When the Lord established the heavens I was there,
when he marked out the vault over the face of the deep;
when he made firm the skies above,
when he fixed fast the foundations of the earth;
when he set for the sea its limit,
so that the waters should not transgress his command;
then was I beside him as his craftsman,
and I was his delight day by day,
playing before him all the while,
playing on the surface of his earth;
and I found delight in the human race.”

Brothers and sisters:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,
we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have gained access by faith
to this grace in which we stand,
and we boast in hope of the glory of God.
Not only that, but we even boast of our afflictions,
knowing that affliction produces endurance,
and endurance, proven character,
and proven character, hope,
and hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

It has long been a Catholic understanding that when circumstances prevent one from receiving Holy Communion, it is possible to make an Act of Spiritual Communion, which is a source of grace. Spiritual Communion is an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when one cannot receive Him in sacramental Communion. The most common reason for making an Act of Spiritual Communion is when a person cannot attend Mass. Acts of Spiritual Communion increase our desire to receive sacramental Communion and help us avoid the sins that would make us unable to receive Holy Communion worthily.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.

I love you above all things and I desire to receive you in my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

Come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there

And unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.