The Bishop’s Note
Blessed Holy Face Sunday! The Triduum started today and the feast of the Holy Face is on Tuesday. The school children traditionally sing the proper Mass of the Holy Face, which was approved by Pope Pius XII. It is such a beautiful text. The Holy Face Devotion is one of reparation for all of the sacrilegious insults committed against Our Lord during the Passion. Simply to look upon Our Lord’s Face with love and contrition consoles Him Who is so much offended.
I was not around much last week. On Monday, I went home to pick up a piano from my parents’ old home. Pierce Kiernan, Joseph Simpson, and Michael Caggeso were all kind enough to drive up and do all of the heavy lifting. Pianos are very heavy and we had a snow-covered, hilly driveway to deal with. The men had to walk it down the hill to get it on the truck. I am grateful to the three of these men for their help, and Fr. Brueggemann for arranging it. There was more adventure after they left, however, as both my nephew and I got stuck in the snow. We couldn’t get his car out, but we managed to get the U-Haul out with the help of the Amazon Prime guy who was delivering a package. It was a funny adventure!
On Tuesday, I went back to Florida on business. Someone said that people have been wondering if all of the recent visits have anything to do with forming a conclave. I guess this came about because of a bishop who recently preached about the need of forming one. Well, I can assure you that it had nothing to do with conclaves. It is rather silly to think that we bishops can all just magically get together and agree on choosing a pope when most of us do not agree on the basics. Besides, look at how many bishops or “bishops” in the traditional movement have already tried getting together to elect a pope?! It has never ended well and it just serves to make traditionalists look weird. Let God take care of solving the problem in the Church. He will do it best. We just need to focus on making reparation for the sins for which we are being punished. Eventually, He will reveal the correct solution…but all in His time and in His way.
Lent begins this Wednesday. We have a very busy schedule that day and offer many opportunities to receive ashes. Take a look at the bulletin and plan accordingly so that you make a good beginning to the penitential season.
– Bishop McGuire