In this Easter Season, you may have noticed some special elements in the mass. Most notable of which is the Sprinkling Rite, replacing the usual Penitential Rite as a reminder of baptism. “It is a wonderful way to reinforce the initiatory quality of Easter, and serves to tie the dying and raising of the faithful in the waters of baptism to the dying and rising of Christ.”

Ordination is the sacramental ceremony in which a man becomes a deacon, priest, or bishop and enabled to minister in Christ's name and that of the Church. The ordination ceremony includes various rituals, rich in meaning and history, but the essential rite of the sacrament is the laying on of hands and prayer of consecration. By this ritual, the ordaining bishop and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one to be ordained, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for the designated ministry.

This weekend, as we pay tribute to all mothers, biological and spiritual, living and deceased, we also reflect on the Church as our Mother. In the weekly catechesis of Pope Francis on September 18, 2013 entitled “The Church is our Mother,” he shared that “among the images that the Second Vatican Council chose to help us understand the nature of the Church better, there is that of “mother”: the Church is our mother in faith, in supernatural life.” He asks, “In what sense and in what way is the Church Mother?”. Allow me to share an abridged version of his reflection.

“What is Eucharistic Adoration?” This is a question we often hear from those new to the faith or searching for ways to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “Adoration is the first attitude of man acknowledging that he is a creature before his Creator. It exalts the greatness of the Lord who made us and the almighty power of the Savior who sets us free from evil. Adoration is homage of the spirit to the “King of Glory,” respectful silence in the presence of the “ever greater” God. Adoration of the thrice-holy and sovereign God of love blends with humility and gives assurance to our supplications.” (CCC 2628)