Fr. Mark-Mary shares some insights that teach us how to live as Catholics while in quarantine. He reflects on the monastic life, pointing out how monasticism is incredibly conducive to this quarantine we’ve adopted. He tells of how Fr. Walter Cizcik, a Jesuit priest in Russia, was persecuted for his faith in the 1920s, and how the imprisoned priest thrived with the Lord in quarantine. He kept up his Jesuit routine of prayer and work, and drew closer to God through it all.
In these times when life has changed so much, it’s important to have a schedule, to win the morning with routines like prayer, making your bed, getting dressed. Don’t forget, at some point in the day, have some fun and enjoy other people’s company as much as you can given the situation. Here are four suggestions on how to spend your time.
- Pray
You can pray the Rosary and celebrate Mass with Ascension by visiting their Facebook page during live streams. Visit AscensionPress.com for a schedule of the Rosary and Mass live streams, and other resources to get you through this difficult time.
A great prayer for this time is the Divine Mercy Chaplet. You can find a video of the CFRs praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet here. - Read
Here is Fr. Mark-Mary’s suggested reading for this time in quarantine:
– Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially the section on prayer
– With God in Russia
– He Leadeth Me - Do something for others. Give someone who might be lonely a call.
- Schedule some screen time. You need some recreation, but scheduling it will help ensure that you don’t overdo it. Let’s not over-indulge in media – not even Catholic media.
Please know that the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are praying for all of those affected by COVID-19 in any way. They’re praying for the sick, those who’ve lost work, the medical professionals, political leaders, and researchers for their diligent work in fighting this and finding solutions. Please also pray for the friars since they are in the heart of the pandemic in New York City.
Let’s get through this together. Somos peregrinos. Poco a poco, vamos a llegar. We are pilgrims. Little by little, we will make it.
Meet Fr. Mark-Mary
Father Mark-Mary was ordained as a Franciscan Friar of the Renewal (CFR) in 2018 and lives at a friary in the Bronx.
The mission of the CFRs is to wholeheartedly embrace Jesus through fidelity to the Church and her Sacraments. Paired with their commitment to prayer, contemplation, and study of Sacred Scripture, the CFRs serve those around them, especially the poor, in the footsteps of Christ.
Discover beautiful music from the CFRs here.