Mass with JP-II, Council for Laity, and Missionary Priests

We had another privilege to celebrate Mass this morning at the altar where a soon-to-be Saint is located. We were in S. Peter's Basilica at the altar where B. Pope John Paul II is buried. (I'm sure this space will look a bit different after April's official canonization occurs.) I had the assignment to preach at the Mass, and it proved to be difficult in some ways, but still a blessing to preach to my brother deacons and in the close proximity of such a recent witness to Christian holiness in B. Pope JP-II.

Some of the deacons venerating the altar and
B. Pope John Paul II's body, inside the altar.

After breakfast, we visited the Pontifical Council for the Laity (description also from their own Official Web site), where again we had some of their officials present to us some details of their dicastery and also fielded some questions we had for them. An interesting note was that the Council has four "sections": Associations & Movements (of the lay faithful), Youth, Women in the Church, and something called "Church and Sport," which I think threw most of us for a loop. (It was similar to finding out for the first time that the there is a Vatican Observatory.) However, the best piece of information was the reason for the dicastery's existence: to promote the apostolate of the lay faithfaul, which is rooted in the baptismal call to holiness in the Church and the mission to transform society by the Gospel.

In the evening we visited the Missionaries of Charity Fathers, a group of men being formed to be ordained priests within the charisms of the MCs. The various men of the house are at various stages of formation, but are addressed as "brothers," just as in any other religious order, except for those already ordained priest or deacon. We arrived, were welcomed (by two newly-ordained deacons), and then prayed with Our Lord in Eucharistic adoration followed by Vespers (evening prayer) for an hour. After prayer with MCs, they treated us to a fantastic meal (see picture below). They treated us to a delicious lasagna and even gave us ice cream bars for dessert. But the best part was conversing with the men from many places around the world being formed to be priests with a specific missionary charism. I spoke at dinner with one of the two newly-ordained deacons of the group, and he spoke of the path that led him to the MC Fathers -- it was a beautiful reflection of God's grace and his openness to be led by the Holy Spirit. Many of my brothers had similar good conversations.

Dining with the MCs. Dn. Sam (left) loves the camera.

During dinner, Fr. Betancourt had an unusual guest park itself on his scapular of the habit he wears.


The great "Magnifi-Cat" warming its feet,
and perhaps trying to pray the Rosary?

Apparently it was attracted to all the great conversations we were having at the dinner table...


Zzz...

Or maybe not...

Tomorrow we have Mass again in S. Peter's Basilica, and in the afternoon we tour the Scavi and meet with the Vatican Secretary of State.

Post by Dn. Grant Gerlach.