The Welcome Mass

The three associations of the Order of Malta in the United States, the American, the Federal and the Western of which I am a member, gathered to celebrate the Eucharist. The knights, dames, malades and their companions, chaplains and pilgrimage volunteers, all 1100 of us, join together at the Rosary Basilica. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco, was the principal celebrant joined by 5 other bishops and about 25 priests and deacons. We are spiritually enriched from the day, we are also a bit emotionally drained as we soak it all in, we are tired from our journeys, the one that brought us here yesterday and possibly the ones we have been on for some time. But now we gather at table to find Christ in the breaking of the bread, to receive the food we need for this pilgrimage and to leave this house for some needed rest and ready to start tomorrow anew.