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FRIDAY MAY 1, 2020
The Observer
In this Moment, How Is the Lord Bringing Us Closer?
T
he enduring crisis brought on by the outbreak of the coronavirus is shared by all of us. The social distancing, the inability personally to attend Mass so as not to contribute to the spread of the virus, the devastation of family nances and all the consequences that follow mean that at some level everyone is touched by these alterations to our accustomed way of living. Of course many of those who are well o have the means of this world to mitigate some of the social and economic inconveniences and struggles of this moment. Nevertheless, if we have watched the news we know that even they have not been immune to the bottom line of this moment. That is, contracting the disease itself with many of the devastating results. At the same time the eects of the virus has hit hardest among those who are poor or who struggle each month to make ends meet. Those whose dignity of work is related to day labor situations or who work in or own small businesses have been hurt by the forced closures of their source of income and the shelter in place guidance. There have been numerous conversations about and comments on the lessons of this moment that people are learning. Many, being forced to follow the Mass by some form of social media, have begun to rethink their relation to Jesus in the Eucharist. What had been so taken for granted, the easy access to Mass and regular reception of Holy Communion or the adoration of Christ in the Eucharist, now becomes more deeply recognized as a prized gift from the Lord. The time of separation for some has become like an extended Lent, a form of fasting from something good that creates an even deeper desire for that good. Above all, what we must not allow is some sort of virtual complacency to set in. Pope Francis this week made a strong point that for this moment, virtual connection with Christ, the Church and our parish through social media is a worthwhile and valuable help. But it can in no way replace our personal participation at Mass. As we know, Mass attendance is continually diminishing, year by year. We should pray that when it is possible to gather again for the public celebration of Mass, we will note a more regular attendance and even a return to Mass for some who have been away. At the same time, we need to learn a spiritual lesson in patience and acceptance of Gods help to confront challenges. We all wonder when will this end? When will the restrictions be eased or lifted? But as we follow all of the contrasting opinions and the statistics of infection and death rates, the back and forth leaves us to conclude that no one really knows for sure what the future holds not only now, but in the case of any projected second wave of the virus. Our response of faith is to be serene and to place our trust in the Lord. That is dierent from being complacent. We should not expect or look for a human certainty that is not possible. Instead we live our lives of active faith, prayer and charity as best we can. It is also essential that we be vigilant that this moment not be used by government or by those with secular or partisan agendas to encroach upon the full meaning of religious freedom. There is a clear distinction between contributing to the common good of society by avoiding situations that could spread the virus, and acceptance of the authority of government to limit arbitrarily our worship and practice of the faith. There are many lessons and conversions of heart that will come from this moment. In faith, we should be open to how the Lord will use this outbreak to bring us closer to the Church and to Himself. BY BISHOP DAVID J. MALLOY
From an April 25 letter to the faithful for the month of May 2020
The month of May is approaching, a time when the People of God express with particular intensity their love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is traditional in this month to pray the rosary at home within the family. The restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this family aspect, also from a spiritual point of view. For this reason, I want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the rosary at home in the month of May. This can be done either as a group or individually; you can decide according to your own situations, making the most of both opportunities. The key to doing this is always simplicity, and it is easy also on the internet to nd good models of prayers to follow. I am also providing two prayers to Our Lady that you can recite at the end of the rosary, and that I myself will pray in the month of May, in spiritual union with all of you. I include them with this letter so that they are available to everyone. Dear brothers and sisters, contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial. I keep all of you in my prayers, especially those suering most greatly, and I ask you, please, to pray for me. I thank you, and with great aection I send you my blessing.
First Prayer
O Mary, You shine continuously on our journey as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the foot of the cross, were united with Jesus' suering, and persevered in your faith. Protectress of the Roman people, you know our needs, and we know that you will provide, so that, as at Cana in Galilee, joy and celebration may return after this time of trial. Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform ourselves to the will of the Father and to do what Jesus tells us. For he took upon himself our suering, and burdened himself with our sorrows to bring us, through the cross, to the joy of the Resurrection. Amen. We y to your protection, O Holy Mother of God; Do not despise our petitions in our necessities, but deliver us always from every danger, O Glorious and Blessed Virgin.
(See the second prayer in the May 8 edition)
Join as a Family to Pray the Rosary
BY POPE FRANCIS
(CNS photo/C. Peri via Reuters)
W
e should pray that when it is possible to gather again for the public celebration of Mass, we will note a more regular attendance and even a return to Mass for some who have been away.
I
want to encourage everyone to rediscover the beauty of praying the rosary at home in the month of May.
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