March 10, 2024
I recently had the privilege of presenting a talk on the Stations of the Cross to a group of life-long Catholics, many of whom were in their 80s and early 90s. In fact, the woman who met me at the Church doors and introduced me to her peers was herself 93 years of age and had more spirit than I will ever have.
As we journeyed together in prayer that evening meditating on Jesus’ final hours, I was deeply moved by the faithfulness and devotion present in the church that evening. Here were women and men, most of them now great-grandparents, coming together to pray for the generations of love they hold so deeply in their hearts. As we prayed together, I could see in their expressions that when we recalled Our Blessed Mother meeting her suffering Son on the road to Calvary, they too were recalling a child or grandchild struggling under the weight of a heavy cross. When we paused to reflect on the way in which Simon of Cyrene stepped in to assist Christ on his journey, I couldn’t help but think of the many ways these humble pillars of our Church helped so many fellow parishioners in times of suffering and sorrow.
Before we departed, we shared some homemade goodies in the social hall and chatted a bit about their decades-long journey in their parish. Said one senior: “Father, I know we are going through hard times right now, but no one will take my faith from me. This is my Church that I love, and Jesus hasn’t let me down once in 89 years. Why would I look to anyone or anything else but Him?”
Words of wisdom from a generation upon whom our own lives of faith have been built. How blessed we are as a Church to have their lives of witness, their courage to stay, and their indomitable spirit – not to mention their homemade baked goods at parish socials!