A few days after I arrived in Rome, it was on this day, the feast of the Presentation, that I was able to attend my first papal liturgy at St. Peter’s. And that too is quite the experience. For on the Feast of the Presentation, the consecrated religious of Rome go to St. Peter’s to renew their vows in front of the Pope. So as we made our way to the basilica the streets and buses were filled with nuns and monks and religious brothers and sisters in their habits.
And as we entered St. Peter’s I got to witness that “mostly controlled chaos” that the Italians are so well known for. But then, the music of the liturgy started and chaos was brought into order. And then to my great surprise, the lights of the basilica, that I didn’t even know existed, came on to full blast. And all the art, and ornamentation, and colors of the marble, were all illuminated, and it was quite breathtaking.
And I remember thinking how not many years before that, the light of Christ was quite hard for me to see, in the angst of my teenage years. And now, there I was standing in St. Peter’s Basilica filled with light and truth and beauty, amidst all of these good religious men and women who were offering their lives to God, so grateful that the light of the Catholic faith was shining in my life.
I think today is a good day for reflecting on the many ways the light of Christ shines in your life, like Simeon thanking God for the Christ Child. Thank God today for the truth, the beauty, the goodness you’ve experienced. Thank God for the people, parents, grandparents, teachers, priests and religious, who shared the light of faith with you, and pray for them, especially those who’ve passed into eternity. Also, today ask God to help you see ways he might be calling you to share his light with others, with the next generation, with people in whose life the light of God has grown dim, with non-believers.
For the light that we are given, as Christ teaches in his sermon on the mount, is not meant to be hidden, but is to shine brightly before others, shared with others.
In 1997, St. John Paul II designated the feast of the presentation as world day of prayer for those in consecrated religious life. So we will offer prayers for the consecrated religious who are such a great light in the Church. May we join them in responding more devoutly today to the Lord’s invitation to turn away from the darkness of error and sin toward the light of Christ, to bear that light courageously and generously for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For those consecrated to God by the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience that they may seek to live their baptismal promises more intensely and have the grace to persevere in their commitment to the Lord and serve with open hearts and willing spirits. We pray to the Lord…
In gratitude for the consecrated religious who have served this parish and our diocese, for an increase in vocations to the consecrated life. We pray to the Lord…
During this Catholic Schools week, for all young people, for their teachers and catechists and parents who are the first teachers of the faith, and that the truth of the faith may be learned, cherished, and practiced in every Catholic school and Christian home.
For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord
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