The parish was located in the inner city of Richmond, Virginia. There was a large elderly population, as well as a rapidly expanding base of young, devout families. Due to the fidelity and beauty of the Liturgy and the dynamic orthodoxy of the priest, it became a point of destination parish. It was a wonderful place, filled with people who had sincere, living Catholic Christian faith. That faith included a bedrock belief in the wonderful gift of the Holy Eucharist - and a dedication to Eucharistic adoration, an ancient practice which is experiencing a wonderful resurgence in this new missionary age.
There, in the tabernacle, the new Holy of Holies, we can visit with Jesus, the same Jesus, who awaits each one of us. And I have done just that for many, many years. How I love to visit Him! I was taught by my mother and the nuns as a little boy to make the sign of the cross every time I passed a Church because Jesus resided there, in a special way. I have always done so, out of habit for many years. However, as age simplifies my life and strips away the pompousness and arrogance of youth, I have returned to the profound truth the practice symbolizes over and over. He truly does reside there, waiting for us to come.
All of this helps to explain why I was deeply disturbed to read of what happened this past week in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, in the Diocese of Scranton. We ask our readers around the globe to pray for the faithful of St. Rose of Lima Church, pray against any evil which could arise out of the sacrilegious act, and pray for the conversion of the thief who broke into that sanctuary, forcibly opened the tabernacle and stole the Ciborium containing the Lord from that Holy of Holies.
Make no mistake; what happened in Carbondale is a very, very serious matter. Of course, with the Bishop, we hope the thief will realize the gravity of his action, return the ciborium with the consecrated hosts and repent. However, we need to remember that the enemies of Christ know full well the truth of who He is. They also know that He is truly present in the Holy Eucharist.
