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PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              16 July, 2026              LVI:2

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                   http://www.egfbenya.com      

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]           [email protected]

Dear Benefactors, Family, Collaborators, Friends and Colleagues:

In each life, in every year of that life unique dates mark a season when specific events as definite dynamics began their run. The season is certain for each of us and the specificity seems to increase as we grow older. It usually holds a personal importance for each of us. Those dates reflect a personal chronicle whose meaning is unique but they are usually of precious little interest beyond us, our families and communities.

People in the married vocation can begin with their personal birth date into this world, followed by the date of their marriage, the dates of births of their children and then grandchildren and perhaps great-grandchildren. All are crucial to each married vocation.

Those of us in Holy Orders and/or Monastic or Religious Life have different sequences of events. Yet our conception into life and birth into this world, as with the vocation of Marriage, are the beginning. These are not to be taken lightly as threats against life (threats of profane and juridical origin) are continually present.

Three main events in my life (not necessarily in chronological order) are those of my birth date, the date of my entry into religious life and date of ordination to the priesthood (Holy Orders). To these one could add various dates of academic progress: Secondary or High school diploma and university degrees, but the first three constitute a dynamic that marks my life. I would not be where I am now without these three events. I partook of them all and prepared for two of them but could not practice for them.

The annual celebration of these three events within a 6 week period from mid -August to mid-September allows an agreeable short span of attention with little or no exaltation. They are a chronological of facts (a “Troika” of dates) and not necessarily divine signs.

Thus this troika approaches: 52 years of religious life (14 August), 42 years in Holy Orders (8 September) and 80 years navigating this world (18 September). A final date is approaching but is as yet known only to Almighty God, my Birth into Eternity. Over this also I have precious little control.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize herein the Birth into Eternity of my younger brother Stephen John Vincent Benya on 19 March of this year. Somewhat sudden, it was not entirely surprising. He suffered from a coronary condition yet was well prepared for that passage. Sobering in its occurrence, that date serves as a solid reminder that we are not completely “retired” from service or ministries until God Calls. I pray that the Call for all of us be solid, clear and blessed.

Gratefully in the Love of Jesus Christ, I remain

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              July, 2026                   LVI:1

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                   http://www.egfbenya.com      

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]           [email protected]

Dear Family, Collaborators, Benefactors, Friends and Colleagues,

The physical premises were exact, clear and attractive: a garden whose bucolic setting had welcomed peaceful and charitable prayer, meditation and discernment. Consultation was minimal; the Savior with the Father. However an intruder was also present. That Intruder had planned well the havoc and failure he required for his entire venture; the malignant One, the Tempter was also there. That bucolic setting now hosted a depth of temptation and violence that were of incalculable intensity. The essence of Malignance against the essence of Benevolence now met. There could be neither draw nor tie. Complete victory for one or the other was the only possibility.

This battle had actually been set through spiritual betrayal millennia prior to this encounter. That betrayal had caused our human fall and thus necessitated A Savior of the same nature as those who had fallen. However as those who had fallen were no match for the Tempter, a redeemer of matching prowess was necessary for Salvation. That Redeemer arrived in the Fullness of Time some 33 years prior to this encounter.

Those 33 years were of intensive preparation by the Savior. They now centered on between 18 or 30 hours of spiritual combat; brutal and violent from the malignant one, noble and generous from the Savior: beginning in that garden. The Savior questioned the entire dynamic. Might another method or “CUP” be possible? NO! This was the only possibility. Violent and intensive plodding had begun. In steps ever more savage the Malignant one pressed to impede this Salvific dynamic. In steps in the Way of the Cross, ever more noble the Savior proceeded to The One and only virtuous end.

At its most intensive violence the temptation to despair arises; “Father, Hast Though forsaken me?”, a question of temptation to despair. A solid affirmation of Union within the Trinity answers this question and the Son, the Savior emerges with victory.

The Victory is Complete and ABSOLUTE, nothing cordial or fancy; unknown to the vast majority of humanity at that time. The malignant One does NOT take it well and the result must be completely hidden. In Profane terms to some degree it still is.

Sacramentally it becomes known ever so slowly. Salvation had been won! We are Redeemed! The Work is complete. To this day it remains a sobering, mysterious Truth.

We celebrate it as the “Easter Triduum!” within the Lenten-Pascal Season, an annual commemoration whose dynamics extend well beyond Christianity. I invite you, your families and communities to join us in spirit for these celebrations. Wishing you:

 “A Happy and Holy Lenten, Pascal-Easter Season!”

Gratefully in the Love of the Risen Jesus Christ, I remain

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.