By Chris Owens
November 30, 2011, St. Andrew
As a youngster, I was honored to be an Altar Boy at St. John the Baptist Church in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. During Confirmation services, I had the privilege of meeting and serving under His Eminence John Cardinal Krol, as well as Father McPeek, the church’s pastor. During these times, I heard both men quote the following:
“To me nothing is so consoling, so piercing, so thrilling, so overwhelming as the Mass, said as it is among us. I could attend Masses forever, and not be tired. It is not a mere form of words -- it is a great action, the greatest action that can be on earth.”
I loved the Mass and those words summed up how I felt. I would recite them to myself walking onto the Altar at the start of the Mass and again when extinguishing the candles. These things were a large part of my upbringing and formation. Little did I know the quote was from Blessed John Henry Newman, or that I would one day end up being a part of a fellowship named after him.
Over the years, I wandered away from that foundation and worshipped with many other groups, However, when I first set foot in Good Shepherd it was like coming home. All the wonderful memories of the music and glorious liturgy came back. The Newman Fellowship continues in that tradition and the liturgy continues to stop me in my tracks as I forget about my problems and for that brief time I am brought into the presence of God.
Part of Newman’s love of the Mass and the Eucharistic Presence had to do with his strong expectancy to be with his Lord. This coming Sunday is Advent II and we are introduced to St. John the Baptist, the namesake of my earlier parish. He spoke with urgency and expectancy of the Lord’s coming. In a world tired with injustice and war, we too wait eagerly for the grace of God. And while we wait, we do not give up hope. We struggle for peace with the energy that only Advent hope gives, for Advent is the Church's season of joyful expectancy.
These can be discouraging times, but we must keep in mind that God, who made heaven and earth, is the ultimate source of our confidence and our rejoicing.
+ + + + +
For the full quotation from Blessed John Henry Newman, on the Adoremus Bulletin website, please click here.
Home Older posts