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Infinite Treasure of Mercy One of the key charisms of a Miles Jesu priest is their commitment to the sacrament of Confession. In fact, within the Miles Jesu Constitutions it is written that: 'A Miles Jesu priest is always available to hear confessions at any place, at any time, joyfully. As an instrument of the mercy of God, he should make himself available so he does not limit the dispensation of the infinite treasures of the mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.' The Constitutions also say: 'Following the teaching of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, of St. Claret, St. Philip Neri, St. John Vianney, and many others, and the tradition of Miles Jesu, the priest of Miles Jesu should be especially dedicated to the apostolate of hearing confessions. They should prefer this apostolate to any other type of non-sacramental external activity.' And so the priests are encouraged, even required, to foster this devotion of hearing confessions and it is evident in their communities. Once, when i was at the General House in Rome, i wanted to go to confession, but thought that perhaps it was not a good or convenient time for the priests. I thought that maybe i should wait until before Mass, knowing that they would offer confession at that time. I learned, however, that just because confession is offered at set times in the community, it does not mean that this is the only time one can or should go to confession. Some members told me that Father General encourages people to go to confession at any time, especially when it is not the regular scheduled time. I was told that he believes this helps to remind the priests of their commitment to 24 hour availability in the sacrament of Confession and that there is nothing more important for them to do at that time than dispense the mercy of God. This kind of mentality promotes confession in such a way, that anytime we have the inspiration to go to confession we should go, giving us the the opportunity to receive the mercy of God and to renew our commitment to Him. A priest is described in the Constitutions: 'As an ambassador who dispenses the treasure of the Church, he must not impose on the faithful his own private ideas or doctrines, but he should detach himself from his own subjectivism and feed them the rich pastures of the official teachings of the Church; this should especially be kept in hearing confessions. He should combine firmness with compassion, never bending the teaching of the Magisterium, but always willing to make any effort to conquer the hearts. He should avoid the severity which St. Claret calls diabolical zeal. With his attitude he should make very clear that this sacrament, so human and so divine, is primarily of salvation and forgiveness, not of condemnation or excuse (cf. can. 978).' The fundamental principle is that Our Lord and His Church are the Fountain of Mercy. The Church has, as a part of its Patrimony, the riches of God's mercy, and Miles Jesu, wanting to be faithful to the Church in a generous way, tries to make that mercy available, leading the faithful to the rich pastures that are already available in the Church. So the Miles Jesu priest, in his faithfulness to the Magisterium, affirms the mercy of God simply by being a faithful steward. All Miles Jesu priests have been formed by Father General with an essential emphasis on the Mercy of God. They are trained to dispense mercifully the rich treasures of His Sacred Heart. We do not live in the times of the Jansenists or those who believed that you must shed real tears in order to be forgiven. No, if someone is willing to humble themselves and come to confession, they are already showing signs of contrition. They are coming not for a lecture, but for mercy. Following Fr. General's example and inspiration, the Constitutions also state: 'For this purpose Miles Jesu commits itself to create confessional churches to which the faithful can come to receive the Sacrament of Mercy of the Sacred Heart of Jesus on a daily basis during a large portion of the day. Special methods should be developed to make themselves available to hear the confessions of their brother priests and consecrated people day and night.' In Puerto Rico a confessional was designed so that penitents could come at any time anonymously, ring the doorbell and enter through a completely different door and room from the priest. There was a wall that completely separated that room from the priest. So the penitent could buzz, confess, and be on their way, any time of the day or night. What infinite treasures of mercy are dispensed in this great sacrament and especially when it is made available with joy to all the faithful in need of forgiveness and reconciliation. |