Put Out Into the Deep

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, My heart breaks to have to write this letter. Events of this past year, beginning with revelations of the scandal surrounding then-Cardinal McCarrick followed by the release of the Pennsylvania grand jury report, have sent shock waves throughout the Catholic Church in America.

This past week, I had the opportunity to celebrate Mass in the beautiful monastic chapel of Saint Gregory’s Abbey. The occasion of this most recent visit was the observance of the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children.

I often have found that when I hear, read or pronounce a sacred text of the liturgy or the Scriptures that a word or phrase may come alive with unexpected power. It may bring insight or understanding.

Sin corrupts everything it touches. The terrible effects of sin include a darkening of our intellect and a weakening of our will. Sin blinds us. It weakens us. Faith enlightens us.

On Sunday, July 28, the feast of Blessed Stanley Rother, I took my seat with others in the plaza in front of the church of Saint James the Apostle in Santiago Atitlan (Guatemala). We were there to hear a concert.