of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
Category: <span>Monsignor Ralph Chieffo blog</span>

Category: Monsignor Ralph Chieffo blog

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THE FLAME OF LOVE BUILDS INTIMACY WITH JESUS, MARY, AND OTHERS

When we look into the eyes of another, we see a reflection of ourselves. In you, I see me. If we look at one another with the love and mercy of Jesus, we can develop a divine presence with family, friends, and strangers. Bishop Fulton J. Sheen talked about the “expulsive power” of Christ. “When you place Him in the center of your soul, the Holy Spirit will expel all those things that do not belong in that center and make them find their proper place. Jesus the nonviolent warrior, Jesus the judge, God’s own mind, now comes into our hearts when we invite him through conversion. We will have this cleansing authority and cleansing power.”

We can learn true intimacy with God and others from the widow Elizabeth Kindelmann. She raised children and grandchildren under Nazi and Communist rule in Hungary. Jesus invited her to a journey of faith with the Blessed Mother to discover herself as a precious child of God. Jesus spoke openly to Elizabeth about what she did for Him. “I delight to be with you because every beating of your heart is Mine.” Jesus looked into her eyes to strengthen Elizabeth’s faith and help her win a great victory over terrible temptations from the Evil one. This glance became somewhat permanent in her soul. Jesus said, “My little one, take courage and gaze at Me. May our eyes look at each other and our glances melt in one another.” At times, Jesus spoke to her and kept her soul in a state of ‘continual freshness’ to ready her to receive abundant graces.

Her diary begins on July 13, 1960, when she wrote about the beginning of her religious experience that introduced her to God’s presence. It also reveals her three years of spiritual darkness, which prepared her for the locutions. “Hence, My little one, do not serve anyone but Me.” Jesus promised, “I will accomplish a masterpiece if you agree to submit to My Divine Hand. Simply surrender to Me like the grapes that are pressed and transformed into wine, which will become My Precious Blood.”

Jesus humbled Saint Paul and revealed to him that the way we treat others is the way we treat God. All life is sacred and must extend our faith and love to believers and nonbelievers. Jesus prayed for unity among all humans because we are created in the image and likeness of the Trinitarian Family who is Love. By receiving the Eucharist, we receive the Body of Christ and increase the Body of Christ, the Church.

Make time to read the Gospel of Mark and Elizabeth’s Flame of Love Diary to help you develop your personal relationship with Jesus through our Blessed Mother. You can experience many blessings for your family and friends by praying, worshipping at Mass, and sharing scripture with small faith-sharing groups or Flame of Love Cenacles. The light of Christ will give you the confidence and courage to stir into flame the effects of the grace of God in many confused hearts seeking meaning and purpose. Go on the offensive and blind Satan by inviting others to the mercy of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Only when we trust and praise Jesus Christ for paying the price for our sins on the Cross, can we forgive ourselves and others.

As we pass the Flame of Love heart-to-heart to those you love, I challenge you to look into the eyes of a restless soul who you alone can stir the Flame of Love in their heart.

A Blessed New Year full of miracles of love and mercy,

Monsignor Ralph J. Chieffo

ENJOY A MARY-CHRIST-MASS ON FIRE WITH THE FLAME OF LOVE

When Elizabeth Kindelmann said “Yes” to the Will of Jesus and Mary, she received the Flame of Love burning from our Trinitarian Family. With her humble and contrite heart, this widow grew in self-confidence by purifying her soul in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Uniting her life with the pierced heart …

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Spread the Flame of Love by Praying the Rosary

Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to pray the rosary daily during the month of October. We pray asking Mary and St. Michael the Archangel to intercede for the protection of the Church and family life in a moment of “spiritual turbulence.” Pope Francis affirmed that the Rosary “is the weapon against the Great Accuser who ‘goes around the world seeking to accuse.’ Only prayer can defeat him.” By praying and living the Mysteries of the Rosary, we develop a more intimate relationship with Jesus and Mary. Filled with peace and joy, we want to share our gift with those we love and serve.

Saint Francis de Sales teaches us: “The measure of love is to love without measure.” The Flame of Love is the burning love radiating from our loving Father, merciful Son and God’s Powerful Spirit (GPS). To repair the effects of Original Sin, Jesus pays our debt on the cross and Mary becomes our Spiritual Mother. The best way we can enjoy this gift of freedom is by becoming a Missionary Disciple of Jesus through Mary’s example and intercession.

Praising God overcomes sin and frees us to see the face of God in all that we love and serve. Jesus became one of us to show us the way and the truth and to have faith and hope in eternal life. Our destiny is to rejoice always and join the Communion of the Saints. The Holy Spirit consecrates us to be a channel of peace, while the devil condemns us for our sins. By trusting in the infinite love and Mercy of Jesus, He enables us to forgive others as God forgives us.

Elizabeth Kindelmann experienced suffering and rejection in promoting the Flame of Love. By praying to our Blessed Mother, Elizabeth rejoiced in the birth of Jesus, embraced his wounds, offered her life and shared the glory of our Risen Lord. By sharing her writings, Elizabeth kindles the fire of the Flame of Love in many restless souls. Saint John Paul II and Elizabeth challenge us to become an Apostle of Light to blind Satan and promote the Gospel of Joy heart-to-heart.

We are all sinners striving to be saints. Christian witnesses forgive others as God forgives us. As we repent and reconcile with the Lord in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, so we must forgive one another heart-to-heart. As precious children of God, we must obey his will and plan for us in good times and bad. By embracing our crucified Savior, we transform our human love into divine love. The glory of God is that we become the best version of our self. True love is willing the good of others. Our Mission is to inspire new disciples of Jesus and Mary. As we pass on the Flame of Love in our hearts, we ignite restless hearts to rest in the peace and joy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Remember, each time we receive Holy Communion, we become who we receive the Body of Christ. By trusting in His Will, we can encourage our family and friends to build a culture of life and love. Is Jesus and Mary calling you to pray and live the Mysteries of the Rosary with the graces flowing from the Flame of Love?

Love and prayers,
Monsignor Ralph J. Chieffo
National Spiritual Director of the Flame of Love

Msgr. Chieffo offers a reflection and encourages prayers and gratitude for Jill Metz and Eileen Piergiovanni

THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS COMMUNICATES COMMUNION WITH GOD AND ONE ANOTHER “Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us! Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace! Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us! Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us!” – St. Catherine …

MARY MAGNIFIES THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS

Parishioners, names withheld, praise Jesus and thank our parish family for praying for the health of their twins who were born on June 25, 2022 weighing one pound each. They are healthy and happy bringing joy to their parents and big brother, name withheld.  With the birth of each precious …

ARE YOU CHOOSING GOD’S WILL TO PROMOTE HEALING AND HOLINESS?

While a child, our Blessed Mother asked Maximilian Kolbe to choose the red crown of martyrdom or white crown of sacrificing himself daily.  The young Max responded that he wanted both crowns. Saint Maximilian Kolbe became a Franciscan priest and always chose to surrender his human will to God’s will. …