Lenten Mission with Father Isaac: How to Have a Holy Death

To prepare well for death, meditate on it daily, as Scripture and the Saints advise. The thought of death restrains sin while ignoring it leads to presumption and spiritual ruin. Always remain in a state of Grace because death is certain but its timing is unknown. Avoid the illusion that you can repent later: many die suddenly, without warning. Detach now from worldly possessions and pleasures, as death separates you from all earthly things. Live as if today were your last day, focusing on prayer, fasting, almsgiving, and devotion to God. The road to heaven is found in the Church, the Sacraments, and obedience to God’s will. Do not delay repentance: God’s Mercy is great, but His Justice is both great and real as well.

Books recommended in this Mission Sermon:
- St. Alphonsus Liguori – Preparation for Death: https://amzn.to/4kpPRKu
- St. Alphonsus Liguori – Counsels for Confessors: https://amzn.to/3ZKGqx1
- St. Robert Bellarmine – The Art of Dying Well: https://amzn.to/3QIWWbt
- St. Leonard of Port Maurice – The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved: https://amzn.to/3QNXvAS

Citations mentioned in this Mission Sermon:
- St. Alphonsus Liguori – On meditating on death to avoid sin
- St. Gregory – God conceals the hour of death so we remain vigilant
- St. Bernard – Always live in expectation of death to avoid sin
- St. Robert Bellarmine – The art of dying well requires living well
- St. Augustine – God hides the day of death to keep us prepared
- St. Vincent Ferrer – Few habitual sinners receive the grace of a good death
- St. Jerome – Most who persist in sin until death are lost
- Book of Tobias, Ch. 12 – Prayer, fasting, and almsgiving deliver the soul from death
- Gospel of Matthew, Ch. 24 – Be ready, for you do not know the hour
- Isaiah 29:13 – True prayer comes from the heart, not just the lips
- James 4:3 – Prayers must be rightly ordered to be effective

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Mailing address
If you would like to mail a card, letter, or donation to Father Isaac you can do so at the following address:

Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Good Success
974 E Stuart Ave STE D
Box 203
Galax, VA 24333

Checks should be made out to "Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Good Success" which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and donations are tax deductible.