News from Rome: As I write this from Rome on Tuesday morning, Feb. 9, please know of my prayers for you. I’ve thought of many of you as I pray in the different Churches in Rome. As mentioned in last week’s bulletin, I am here as part of the Missionaries of Mercy for the Jubilee Year of Mercy. I’ve spent the last couple of days seeing a lot of friends (seminarians, faculty and staff) from the North American College (NAC), where I worked for the past five years. The NAC is a seminary training 250 seminarians from across the United States to become priests. Someoneasked me if I noticed anything different since I’ve left Rome. I mentioned that the amount of security has greatly increased around St. Peter’s—partly, they say, from the Paris attacks last year.
Saint Padre Pio and Deacon Brian Lenz: On Saturday morning I went with another priest to celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. However, we couldn’t get in because of the amount of pilgrims wanting to see the incorrupt body of Saint Padre Pio, who is on display in St. Peter’s. Saint Padre Pio is easily the most popular saint in Italy. I asked an Italian man “why is he so popular?” He mentioned that Padre Pio is a contemporary saint (he died in 1968) and many people know of family members who visited him and were healed through his intercession. Saint Padre Pio also had the stigmata—meaning the “wounds of Christ” in his hands. Anyway, after not being able to celebrate Mass at St. Peter’s, we headed back to the College for their 8 a.m. Mass. I was thrilled that Deacon Brian Lenz from the Diocese of Lansing was the deacon for the Mass. What was funny to me was that after Deacon Brian proclaimed the Gospel, the priest presider started walking to the ambo to preach. But before he got there Deacon Brian started preaching. The presider stopped, held his arms up, and had the look of “what is he doing?” I’ve never seen that before. I had a good chuckle. By the way, Deacon Brian preached well—even though he wasn’t supposed to preach!
Walking: One thing about being in Rome—it’s crowded with cars and people who walk everywhere, even miles. I think on Sunday I must have walked seven miles. I even went out of my way to go to my favorite gelato place, just to have my preferred coconut gelato dipped in chocolate. Much to my dismay the store was closed. What a disappointment!
Station Churches: In Rome one of my favorite customs is the opportunity to attend the Station Churches during Lent. Basically for the forty days of Lent pilgrims walk to a different Church every day during Lent to attend Mass. For example, on Ash Wednesday we walked to Santa Sabina which was founded between 422 and 432 AD. Mass started at 6:45 a.m., so we left the College at 5:55 a.m. Nice way to start the day.
Retreat: As I mentioned last week, I am leaving on Sunday (February 14) to begin my retreat. It’s silent, meaning no cell phones, no TV, radio, newspapers, etc. It’s hard to be without all these things at first, but then it’s nice to slow down and receive the peace that “the world cannot give.” I didn’t plan on being away two weeks in a row, but the Rome trip came unexpected. And besides, Fr. Gary is here to handle everything. When someone in Rome who knows Fr. Gary was told that he was our associate pastor, he said I could “easily take a month off.” Couldn’t agree more.
Super Bowl: I didn’t get a chance to watch the Super Bowl. The game started at 12:10 a.m. on Monday Rome time. I still have hope the Lions will win it all in my lifetime.
Please be assured of my love and prayers for you and your families.
Msgr. Jerry
Saint quote of the day from Saint Ephrem’s Lenten Prayer: “O Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the attitude of laziness, meddling, ambition and vain talk. Grant me instead an attitude of prudence, humility, patience and love. Yes, my Lord and King, grant me to see my own sinfulness and not to judge others. For you alone are holy unto ages of ages. Amen.”