 Vol. IV no 21 |
May 26, 2010 Catholic Church |
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Diocesan Patronal Celebration — |
Diocesan Patronal Celebration
Mary holds a privileged place in the life of our archdiocese. She has accompanied us throughout our history and is honoured locally under many titles. It is, therefore, no surprise that our diocesan Church has placed itself under her patronage. On May 31 — the feast of the Visitation of Mary — we will celebrate the patronal feast of our diocese.
This celebration is an opportunity for all members of the diocese to express solidarity with the Universal Church, as lived here in Montreal. It gathers the men and women who deeply value our life as a diocesan community and it helps to strengthen the bonds that unite us.
Together, we will turn this feast day into a time of thanksgiving, a time to demonstrate our vitality and to recognize those who have contributed to the dynamism of our local Church — in particular, during this Year for Priests, our own priests. This event will celebrate who we are.
It is only fitting that we offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God on this day. Who would we be and what would we do without the support of the Lord, who continues to breathe life into our Church through his Spirit? How could we fulfil our mission without the Lord?
The liturgy for this feast day invites us to recognize this fact. Once again we recite Mary’s Magnificat. With her we say “My soul magnifies the Lord!”
Magnificat for this time of grace that we are about to experience. No doubt we need to look at it through Mary’s eyes in order to bring a faith perspective to the here and now and to recognize that now is, indeed, a time of salvation. It is also a time for sowing, a time for toiling. The tendency to give up, to question fundamentals is ever present, but we know that he who has chosen us to proclaim the Gospel continues to work wonders through us and that his love extends from age to age.
Magnificat in this Year for Priests, for all those whom the Lord has called to gather his harvest. He has made of them priests, who proclaim the Gospel and administer the sacraments. He has made of them pastors, who preside over the life of the Christian community. They deserve recognition, encouragement and support.
Magnificat for the diverse multitude of workers within our Church. The feast day celebration is the opportune moment to draw public attention to their commitment and their contribution.
In this Year for Priests, we want to recognize the dedication of our priests who, year after year, place themselves and their talents at the service of our diocese. It is with joy that we will honour them by presenting the Diocesan Award of Merit to them. Father Jean-Jacques Mireault will receive the award on behalf of our priests.
I hope you will show up in large numbers for this diocesan celebration at Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, Monday, May 31, at 7:30 p.m.
During the Diocesan Eucharistic Week, on Sunday, May 30, at 3 p.m., Auxiliary Bishop André Gazaille of Montreal will preside at a celebration during which he will give the “médaille de l’évêque” to designated altar servers. These young people have been chosen by the various diocesan parishes and missions from the French, English and Cultural communities. I wish to congratulate all those who were selected and I am grateful to the Serra Club of Montréal for its collaboration.
† Jean-Claude Turcotte
Archbishop of Montréal
Upcoming Events
Diocesan Eucharistic Week
From Sunday May 30 to Sunday June 6, 2010
Diocesan Feast Day
May 31, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.
Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
