A Field Mass At A Planned Parenthood Clinic

On Sunday, February 16, in addition to celebrating four parish masses and hearing confessions at each, there was one more, but this time quite unusual.

It was a “field mass,” the Holy Sacrifice, but not offered in a chapel dedicated to the true God, but in one where sacrifices are offered to Baal: the downtown clinic of the abortion provider Planned Parenthood in San Francisco.

And there we went, in the rain and cold, happy to do something about this crime that has anesthetized billions of souls, even those who “self-identify” as Christian.

We were just a handful of families; we weren't heroes, nor did we feel like it. We simply wanted to pray at a symbolic place, especially for the mothers who made this choice and for those who carried out these acts, who, I have no doubt, are unaware of what they are doing in the vast majority of cases.

Below is the sermon I delivered as part of the Latin Mass we celebrated together: 

Today we gather here once again to carry out this apostolate, as Catholics that we are, actively living our Faith.

And we do it, as Saint Paul says, “in season and out of season,” regardless of whether it rains or is cold, whether circumstances are favorable or adverse.
Because our Lord first gave us the example, loving us even when we are unworthy.

And why the Mass here, in the street? First of all, to pray for the conversion of those who work in these places; so that God may touch their minds and wills one day, and they may understand that, even if they do not realize it, they are ending the life of an innocent.

Secondly, to seek forgiveness and make reparation for this crime of abortion, a crime that in many places is not even recognized as such.

But thirdly, as I said at the beginning, because it is the duty of every Catholic, the duty of every Christian, to bear witness to the Faith, ensuring that our speech is “yes… yes, no… no,” as we read in today’s Gospel.

Many times, we think that when we do good, when we carry out apostolate work, the first beneficiary is the one who receives the Word of God, who receives alms, who receives a missionary.
But no… the first beneficiary in the mission is the missionary!

We are the first to receive graces when we expose ourselves to preach Christ, because through the mission, through the apostolate, we have the opportunity to be humiliated, slandered, despised, and even accepted.
It is in the fire that gold is refined; and that is Catholic apostolate.

So today, in addition to praying for the conversion of these people, let us also pray for our own conversion; let us ask that this Lent, which is about to begin, may allow us always to bear witness to Christ, in season and out of season, so that we may fulfill a militant Catholicism that shines before men and, in this way, they glorify Our Father who is in heaven.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Fr. Javier Olivera Ravasi, OSE.

Father Javier is a co-founder of the Order of Saint Elias who writes at quenotelacuenten.org