Carrying the light of Christ, April 1: Holy Oils: an extension of Christ’s ministry
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception March 30. During the Mass, the Oil of the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens were blessed and the Sacred Chrism consecrated; priests of the diocese also...
Carrying the light of Christ, March 25: ‘Let our Crucified and Risen Savior into your hearts and into your lives’
The Catholic Sun this week is marking a year of pandemic and as it does so, I shudder to think what things were like at this time last year. In reviewing letters to our diocesan family and newspaper columns from that time period, I realize we were trying to address...
Carrying the light of Christ, March 18: ‘Experience the Lord’s limitless mercy and forgiveness’ in the Sacrament of Penance
I want to begin my column this week by expressing my deep gratitude, and that of my father and family, to all who have been carrying us in prayer these past few weeks. Your prayerful expressions of support for my mom and dad, along with the rest of our family, have...
Carrying the light of Christ, March 11: The verdict
At sporting events, every so often, a person might see a banner with John 3:16 written on it unfurled in the bleachers. Of course, it is a reference to the Gospel passage that we will hear this coming weekend as the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This...
Carrying the light of Christ, March 4: With burning hearts
Editor’s note: As the diocese celebrates the Year of Vocations, Bishop Douglas J. Lucia shares the homily he preached May 4, 2014, in thanksgiving for 25 years of priestly ministry. Twenty-five years ago when I was Ordained to God’s Service in the Ministerial...
In the name of Jesus: A pastoral letter 2021
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia offers his first pastoral letter as Bishop of Syracuse, focusing on “the common inheritance in which we all have a share: ‘I have neither silver nor gold, but what I do have I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, rise and walk’ (Acts 3:6).”
Carrying the light of Christ, February 18: “Ite ad Joseph!” — “Go to Joseph!”
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia issued the following letter to announce and invite participation in the diocese’s consecration to St. Joseph. To learn more and to sign up for daily consecration emails, visit the Consecration to St. Joseph page at syrdio.org....
Carrying the light of Christ, February 11: Reflections on the month ahead
Here we are in the month of February. Although it is cold out on this second Monday of February and the breeze is chilly, I am struck by the abundant sunshine that feels warm on my back and is actually melting the snow and ice a bit. Daylight is lengthening as well...
Carrying the light of Christ, February 4: ‘The Holy One of God’
Editor’s note: The prepared text of the homily Bishop Douglas J. Lucia preached Jan. 31, the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, appears here. This week in the Diocese of Syracuse, as in other dioceses of the United States, it is Catholic Schools Week. Last Friday...
Carrying the light of Christ, January 28: Are our hearts burning?
I am writing this column on Saturday afternoon, in the family room of the home I grew up in. I am here because my mother’s health has failed quite dramatically over the last few days and, as a family, we have come together to make some decisions and seek to assist my...
Carrying the light of Christ, January 21: ‘I pledge allegiance…’
Editor’s note: The prepared text of the homily that Bishop Douglas J. Lucia preached for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (January 17), appears below. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one...
Carrying the light of Christ, January 14: In wake of attack, faithful reminded of call ‘to be God’s messengers here and now’
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia offered a livestreamed holy hour for the nation Jan. 6, hours after rioters attacked the U.S. Capitol. The text of the homily the bishop preached that evening from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse appears...
Carrying the light of Christ, January 7: In what direction is my life going?
Editor’s note: The Epiphany of the Lord was celebrated Jan. 3. The prepared text of the homily Bishop Douglas J. Lucia preached at Masses that day appears below. When the Magi saw the star in the East they were inquisitive and began the search for the One they...
A Christmas message from Bishop Lucia
Bishop Douglas J. Lucia offers a blessing at the close of the Christmas Mass pre-recorded for television Dec. 15. (Sun photo | Chuck Wainwright) Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, The year 2020 has been one we will not soon forget, although we may want to. It...
Carrying the light of Christ, December 10: Shining ‘Christ’s light into a waiting world’
“Waiting in Joyful Hope” is the theme chosen for our Advent journey in the Diocese of Syracuse this year. However, I must confess that I have never been one for waiting, and this year the joyfulness of the season seems to be eluding me. I want to be joyful, but I feel...
Carrying the light of Christ, December 17: At Christmas, ‘discover anew the One who gives meaning and light’
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia issued the following letter Dec. 14. Dear Diocesan Family, In today’s calendar of saints, the Church calls to mind St. John of the Cross, a priest of the 16th century who along with St. Teresa of Avila called the Carmelite order...
Carrying the light of Christ, December 3: This Advent, we wait in joyful hope
Editors’ note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia celebrated Mass at St. Margaret’s Church in Mattydale Nov. 28, during which he blessed the Immaculata Award medallions that will be presented to recipients in their parishes. The prepared text of the homily the bishop preached on...
Carrying the light of Christ, November 19: The son of my love
Editors’ note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia celebrated Mass to open the Year of Vocations Nov. 14 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The prepared text of the homily he preached on that occasion appears here. I don’t know if anyone has noticed, but the Christmas...
Carrying the light of Christ, November 5: ‘Let us accompany one another on the road of holiness to union with God’
Over the last couple of weeks, I have received inquiries about Pope Francis’ remarks in the documentary film “Francesco” pertaining to civil unions. In addition, an ad was recently published in The Catholic Sun publicizing an award being given to Father James Martin,...
Carrying the light of Christ, October 29: ‘Behave like God, as his very dear children’
This coming Sunday, Nov. 1, the Church universal will celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. The next day, Monday, Nov. 2, Catholics will pause to call to mind all the Faithful Departed, our own ancestors in faith. I always consider these days special ones because on...
Carrying the light of Christ, October 22: Seeking to be ‘faithful Catholics and involved citizens’
Today (October 22) happens to be my mother’s 92nd birthday. As I give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of her life and for being my mom, I have been thinking of some letters and emails asking me for counsel on life issues in this election season. What does this...
Carrying the light of Christ, October 15: Setting the best foundation for the future ‘means giving the best of ourselves’
Over the last couple of weeks, we as a nation have been tuning into the presidential and vice-presidential debates, or at least catching the commentary afterwards. On a personal level and as a religious leader, I have been disturbed by and greatly disappointed in the...
Carrying the light of Christ, October 8: The stewardship of the vineyard
Editor’s note: This week, Bishop Lucia shares the prepared text of the homily he preached Oct. 4, Respect Life Sunday. “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious …, think about these things”...
Carrying the light of Christ, October 1: Red Mass homily
Editor’s note: Bishop Lucia celebrated the annual Red Mass Sept. 29 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Syracuse. The prepared text of the homily he preached on that occasion appears here. At this noon hour, it is a privilege for me to welcome members of...
Carrying the light of Christ, September 24: Declaring a Year of Vocations
September 21, 2020 St. Matthew, Apostle Dear Fellow Co-Workers in the Vineyard, “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few” (Luke 10:2). In the very near future, we will only have 55 assignable priests available for 119 churches. There are currently 25 active...
Carrying the light of Christ, September 10: Father Mark Pasik recalled as an ‘oasis in the desert’
By Katherine Long | Editor One day while shopping in a shoe store, Father Mark Pasik and the salesman struck up a conversation. The salesman told Father Pasik he was Catholic, but hadn’t been to Confession in years. Father Pasik offered to hear the man’s confession in...
Carrying the light of Christ, September 3: True discipleship is ‘to think of the other’
It is hard to believe that as I write this column we have arrived in the month of September. In many ways, it has been a difficult 2020; and I don’t think we are going to grieve its departure come December 31st. Nonetheless, before we get to that point, we have...
Carrying the light of Christ, August 20: Mary: Mother and model for priestly life
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia ordained Father Malachi Clark to the priesthood Aug. 15 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Here is the prepared text of the homily he preached on the occasion. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the great American essayist, once...
Bishop Lucia sends diocese’s ‘heartfelt sympathy and assurance of prayer’ to Bishop Mansour
Editor’s note: Bishop Douglas J. Lucia sent the following letter to Bishop Gregory J. Mansour of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn after an Aug. 4 explosion in Beirut killed at least 160 people and injured 6,000. August 5, 2020 The Dedication of St....
