I have been on the road over the course of the last few weeks, both within the diocese and outside of it. During October, I celebrated Masses for Life at our Catholic junior/senior high schools for their students and began pastoral visits with the parish priests of our diocese. In my visits with the priests, I have asked three questions: (1) How are you doing? And through this question, I am inquiring about them personally — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, etc.? (2) How are things going with the parish(es)? (3) Are there needs with which you may need diocesan assistance?
For 10 days from Oct. 13-23, I was on pilgrimage visiting three places in Europe in the company of members of the Our Lady of Lourdes Hospitality — North American Volunteers. Our first stop from Oct. 14-18 was the Shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes, France, with 240 pilgrims, many in different stages of illness or dealing with physical infirmities. There I had the chance to concelebrate a Pilgrims’ Mass in the large underground Basilica of St. Pius X, follow in the footsteps of St. Bernadette Soubirous through the village of Lourdes and see sites associated with her life, participate in the nighttime Rosary procession, go to the baths of Lourdes and be immersed in the waters of the spring — the source of water from Lourdes, lead the Eucharistic Procession through the grounds of the shrine, meet with the Bishop of Tarbes and Lourdes, Mgr. Jean-Marc Micas (who talked to me about his visit to the 1000 Islands and the boat tour — yes, a small world indeed!), witness the Sacraments of Initiation for a pilgrim who had a spiritual healing at Lourdes, offer Mass at the altar in the grotto for the English Pilgrims’ Mass, and finally, bless the “new” home of the Lourdes Volunteers in Lourdes directly across the from the door that Bernadette knocked at to bring the local pastor the lady’s name … “I am the Immaculate Conception.” During my visit, I was also able to witness the fine care of students from Franciscan University towards the pilgrims needing extra help, including our own Andrew Erickson, an alum of Seton Catholic Central in Binghamton.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, I had a 24-hour stopover in Paris on my way to Rome and was privileged to make a visit to Notre Dame Cathedral and to concelebrate the Sunday Vigil Mass with the Archbishop of Paris, Mgr. Laurent Ulrich. At the end of Mass, he very graciously presented me with a medallion struck for the reopening of the Cathedral, and which I will cherish as a memory of my short visit to this beautiful church. As I was leaving, whom did I encounter but the principal of Holy Cross School in Dewitt, Nina Walters, and her daughter Claire, waiting for a picture.
On Sunday, Oct. 19, the leadership group of Lourdes Volunteers made their way to Rome, where they joined me as I celebrated the Sunday evening Mass at the oratory of Santa Maria Annunziata in Borgo, putting my Italian language skills to good use. I would be privileged to celebrate Mass in this precious house of worship two more times during our visit. Three interesting features of the oratory were the painting of the Annunciation above the high altar, the Rose Window featuring Our Lady of Lourdes, and a beautiful statue of St. Michael the Archangel, since the oratory was in the shadows of Castel Sant’Angelo.
On Tuesday, Oct. 21, I had the joy of entering the Jubilee Door and offering Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in the Sforza Chapel, dedicated to Our Lady’s Assumption into heaven and adjacent to the tomb of Pope Francis. It was a very special privilege to be so close to Pope Francis’ tomb (Pope Francis called me to be a bishop) and have the chance to pray in such proximity. It also happened to be the six-month anniversary of his death. Mass was followed by a walk through a part of the city of Rome I was most familiar with because of being a Canon Lawstudent at the Angelicum. It would lead us to the Apostolic Penitentiary, where Angelo Cardinal De Donatis, the Major Penitentiary and former Vicar General of the Diocese of Rome, would meet with us to discuss the spiritual work of the Lourdes Volunteers and the plenary indulgence attached to it.
That same afternoon, I had the additional honor of carrying the Jubilee Cross as the Lourdes Volunteers leadership prayerfully made the Jubilee procession from near the Castel Sant’Angelo up the Via della Conciliazione through St. Peter’s Square and into St. Peter’s Basilica through the Holy Door. Once in the Basilica, our group was led to the tomb of St. Peter, where our prayer ended with the Profession of Faith using the Apostles Creed and a blessing.
On Wednesday, Oct. 22, our group attended the Pope’s General Audience at the end of which I had the opportunity to greet Pope Leo. There has been much curiosity concerning the presentation of gifts I made to the Holy Father … They were two gifts from Lourdes Volunteers: a stole from Lourdes and a beautiful cross made by one of the volunteers that was placed on the altar when I celebrated Mass in the Lourdes grotto. In the end, I assured His Holiness of the prayers of the Church of Syracuse for his Petrine ministry and in his service as Universal Pastor. As I was coming down the stairs of St. Peter’s Basilica, I ran into Senator Joseph Griffo and a delegation from the legislature in Albany. Again, small world indeed!
I especially enjoyed my time in Lourdes since Rome was a bit chaotic. A huge shoutout to Marlene Watkins and Barry Vaughn of the Lourdes Volunteers, who made this memorable pilgrimage possible. As I carried you in prayer throughout my pilgrimage, I also want those who made the pilgrimage to know of my continued prayers for their healing and consolation.
As we approach our national feast of Thanksgiving, the journeys I have been able to make both in and outside of the diocese are part of my song of thanksgiving. It is such a privilege for me to serve the people of the Diocese of Syracuse in their parishes and as they walk the road of life. However, I could not do any of this without the support of my family, friends, and dedicated collaborators in ministry, so it is with a most grateful heart that I say to all, “Thank You” for your love and encouragement.
Psalm 136 announces: “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His love is everlasting.”(v. 1). I thank God for the goodness and love that surrounds me and pray that as we enter the holiday season, this goodness and love will be experienced by our diocesan family. God’s blessings and a very Happy Thanksgiving to all!
