I learned this morning with great sadness of the death of Pope Francis. Just yesterday, he greeted the crowds in Rome, as if to say farewell to the People of God whom he loved so dearly and served so devotedly. May his great soul rest in peace.
This, in fact, is the great project of our lives. To die to self and so that even now we can live in that newness of life that Christ’s death and resurrection make possible.
With our hearts glowing still more brightly, we shall then celebrate anew the mystery of the Lord’s death and resurrection by which we are redeemed. In receiving the Body of Christ, we shall taste his victory over sin and death. In receiving the Blood Christ, we shall be washed clean.
Let us now remind ourselves what it is we are doing on this Good Friday. We are making a journey “from desolate bitterness to sweet hope.”
Our eyes of faith see how Jesus more than fulfilled the promise of Exodus. Our liturgy dramatizes how to live as those as who hope and trust in the Lord.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we re-affirm our trust and hope in the saving power of the Church’s sacraments, in Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders, and the Anointing of the Sick, together with Holy Matrimony, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and above all, the Most Holy Eucharist.
Then as now the crowds are fickle in their enthusiasms. Let us not be swept away by any earthly enthusiasm but anchored in supernatural hope. Let us walk the way of the Cross in resolute hope, the only way that leads to Resurrection and eternal life.
Let the unlocking of the chapel and our entry into its interior be for us an expression of hope, hope for the endurance of religious liberty, now and always.
Today it was announced that Pope Francis has appointed Baltimore’s Bishop Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., as the next Bishop of Providence Rhode Island. He will be installed as Bishop of Providence on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025.
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2025 Contact: Christian Kendzierski Tel. 410-547-5378 christian.kendzierski@archbalt.org Holy Father appoints Auxiliary Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., to lead Diocese of Providence Archbishop William E. Lori commends Baltimore City vicar for service to the local Church (Baltimore, MD) – Archbishop William E. Lori announced on Tuesday the Holy Father’s appointment of […]
My destination was St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Fullerton, Maryland, where hundreds of men were gathering for the Standing Strong conference, hosted by the Catholic Men’s Fellowship of Maryland. I had been looking forward to it for weeks, but as I made the drive in, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What I […]
I’m happy to be with all of you today and on this occasion to install Father Uju as your pastor, assisted in this role by Father Obinna. Let’s express our thanks to these great priests who have already become a part of your parish community and who are dedicating themselves to lead St. Francis Xavier, the oldest Black Catholic parishes in the United States, into a future full of hope. Thank you, dear brothers!
