Close of the Day: Mass at the Rosary Basilica

The Rosary Basilica was consecrated in 1901 and is the third church to be built on the site above the Grotto. Our plan was to have a Mass with all three of the Order of Malta Associations in the USA. Flight issues intervened and we had only two of the three Associations in the Basilica, one of which arrived in the middle of the homily. The principal celebrant was Archbishop Vigneron of Detroit with 5 other Archbishops and Bishops concelebrating, including one who is a Malade. Archbishop Cordileone, who is participating in the entire pilgrimage, concelebrated along withthe other bishops and the 15 to 20 priests who were present. We read Matthew's Gospel on Jesus' return to Nazareth where he was viewed with skepticism as they knew him simply as the local son of Mary and Joseph. They lacked faith. We are reminded to strive to see Christ in the ordinary and the presence of God in the most unlikely of places.