The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-29
MISSION BENEFITS.
Father SASHA Tells Why Cath
Olics Should Mediate.
A Spiritual Revival Which Will Continue for
Ten Days Inaugurared Last Evening
at St. Ignatius Church.

Rev. Joseph Sasha of the Society Of Jesus,
and Superior of the order on the Pacific
Coast, inaugurated at st. Ignatius Church
last evening a mission, which will last for
the next ten days. The first announcement
of the missionary service was made OIL SUM-
day, and the notice was sufficient to fill
every seat in the large church on the OPEN
ing night. The two gentlemen Sodalities
connected with the church were present, at
tired in their regalias.
Father Sasia did not select any special
subject for his first sermon, but stated that
he would devote his remarks to the question
| of spiritual retreats and the benefits TO be
derived, i'll order to prepare his audience for
the mission. lie said that missions and
spiritual retreats were among the most pow
erful and efficacouS means Of saving souls.
and that there are now many among the
blessed who would not otherwise have
reached heaven were it not for attending
missionary services. Among the most earn
| est of the early fathers In advocating re-
treats was st. !gnatius Of Loyola, who EN-
ployed missions for the sanctiicatiOn OF the
faithful.
THREE PROPOSITIONS CONSIDERED.
the speaker said he would consider three
! propositions. First - What is meant in
Catholic language by spiritual retreat?
Second-Nhy should we perform 1t, and
what advantages are to be derived? Third
How should we make it III order to secure
its advantages?
Under the first head he said that a retreat
| is very simple. During a few days we
| strive 10 reeollect cur past life and seriously
mediate on whatever sins we have conl-
mittei, with 81 firm resolution OF amend
ment. 10 realize the Importance OF re-
treat it is enough to be Christian-to be-
! lieve that our life is not over when we
| finally separate from our feilow-men, but
| that beyond the grave there is an existence
| which shall never end. No man who has
| the use of reason can deny that our lives in
! the next world depend on our conduct IN
this. The practice of meditating On our
| eternal welfare is very old. but the par
ticuiar form of spiritual retreat has been
handed down by st. lgnatius.
ADVANTAGES DERIVED.
| In regard to the second proposition re-
| garding the advantages 10 be derived, the
! speaker said that among the occupations OF
| men from the lefty condition Of the states
man to that of the meaneSt artisan there is
| no employment calculated TO confer more
| benefit than spiritual retreat Jesus has
| said, what doth it profit i man If he gain
| the whole world ana lose his own soul?'
| The eternal wisdom OF the Savior bad
| placed the whole world on one side, and
| Uvefbalanced il by single SOUL
| Father SASHA quoted saying OF one OF
| the early saints when about to be tortured
| by the pagans. 1t was Sophia, speaking to
| her son Clement and she said: Remember,
| it is & question OF eternity" and the speaker
| asked his hearers 10 remember the same
| thing. The span of life Is short and the
| trial brief. AIterward would come the rec
| ompense.
TO EMPHASIZE PRINCIPLES.
| The object of "a mission is not 10 expound
| new truths, but simply to expand, to recall,
| to emphasize living Christian principles, i'll
order that they might be practically en-
! ployed for our own good. The words of
| God can do wonderful things. What gives
such power to the priest? II IS because he
| speaks III the name OF God. He that hear
| eth you, heareth me-" This is his warrant
! his charter. So We can understand the
| wonderful effects missionary services have
| produced all over the werld. 1t Is not the
| word of man.
The purpose of retreat is to enlighten
| our intelIeets on spiritual truths. The
| smoke of worldly pleasures dlmS our mind,
| and makes 1t necessary to refresh our men,
| cries. What the telescope is to the eye the
| light OF faith Is to reasun-it expands the
mental and religious vision. The retreat
| generates a hatred Of sin and desire to
| live better and purer lives. Its main pur-
pose is to effect a reconciliation with God, if
we have had the misfortune to incur his en-
nifty by deserving the right path.
ESSENTIALS To BE CONSIDERED.
Father SASHA brought his sermon to a close
| by considering the manner in which re-
! treat should be made He said the first es-
| sential is 10 listen 10 instruction in spirit
| OF faith A second disposition required is
| that of prayer. We must also have gen.
erous will, for the object is not only to re-
form our present life, but to obtain light.
which will last us for the rest OF cur exist
| ence. st. Augustine was asked by friend,
What shall do to save my soul % He re-
| Piled "By willing il"
No matter how far one has strayed from
| virtue, there is hope for him For the
weakest there is no eternal fall. Only make
a firm resolution to live rightly. keep the
| commandments, and salvation will result.
Make up your minds not to sin. he said,
land nothing can make you do il"
This evening Father Sasha will speak on
the subject, The inconsistency between our
faith and our practice of ii, and the reasons
| therefor"