Last Mass of our Journey

We celebrated Mass yesterday at noon in St Joseph' s Chapel in the Sanctuary. I would be the last time we gathered in this way as we conclude our pilgrimage and return home. The principal celebrant was Msgr. Otellini, and the homily was delivered by Fr. Patrick Brennan CP, a Passionist Father from Detroit. His message was simple and moving. “We did well this past 9 days”. “We will never be the same after this pilgrimage. Those we served, our private prayers, our community worship, placing ourselves in the hands of Mary and her Son”. We now carry this in our hearts and bring the strength we received back to our homes and live our pilgrimage service to those who await us there. While we may not have a beautiful Grotto, magnificent settings along the river Gave, candlelight processions, and one another’s companionship, we do have every essential element of this pilgrimage awaiting us when we return. The Eucharist, the rosary, the sick, the poor, Mary and Her Son, Our Lord, Jesus Christ. One last note. This was Msgr. Otellini’s first Mass as the principal celebrant during the Lourdes Pilgrimage, a period covering 19 years. This is because during that period there was always a Bishop present who would then be the prime celebrant, and on this day our Archbishop had to return to California. It was an honor for me to serve as deacon to my friend in this celebration.