Download Be Not Afraid - Diocese of New Ulm

Be Not Afraid
Bishop John M. LeVoir’s Monthly Column
for The Prairie Catholic
May 2014
In Deep Gratitude for Our Priests
The Chrism Mass is celebrated in the diocese each year. At the Chrism Mass, three oils are blessed: the
sacred chrism, the oil of the sick, and the oil of the catechumens. These oils will be used in the celebration
of the sacraments in the diocese during the year.
Also at the Chrism Mass, the priests of the diocese publicly renew their priestly promises. This year’s
Chrism Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New Ulm, and many of our priests
concelebrated. Standing at the chair in the sanctuary, I looked out at the priests of the Diocese of New
Ulm, who were gathered together in the front pews of the church, and was very much moved with
emotion. They are my brothers and my sons.
The priests of the diocese each have their own personalities and their individual histories. Yet they are
united as one by their common ordination to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. Their unity in the priesthood
was signified by the white diocesan vestment that each of them wore. Their unity was also expressed by
the renewal of their priestly promises.
After the homily, the bishop speaks to the priests in these or similar words:
“My brothers, today we celebrate the memory of the first Eucharist, at which Our Lord Jesus Christ
shared with his Apostles and with us his call to the priestly service of his Church. Now, in the presence of
your bishop and God’s holy people, are you ready to renew your own dedication to Christ as priests of his
new covenant?
“Priests: I am.
“Bishop: Are you resolved to be faithful ministers of the mysteries of God, to celebrate the Eucharist and
the other liturgical services with sincere devotion? Are you resolved to imitate Jesus Christ, the Head and
Shepherd of the Church, by teaching the Christian faith without thinking of your own profit, solely for the
well-being of the people you were sent to serve?
“Priests: I am.”
By receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders, the priest is configured more closely to Jesus Christ. He is
also given a mission. The priest receives the grace to sanctify, teach, and govern the priestly people. He
receives a special calling to serve the People of God, that is, to do those things that will make them holy.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders “configures the recipient to Christ by a special grace of the Holy Spirit, so
that he may serve as Christ’s instrument for his Church. By ordination, one is enabled to act as a
representative of Christ, Head of the Church, in his triple office of priest (sanctify), prophet (teach), and
king (govern)” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1581).
As celebrant of the Mass, the priest makes present the sanctifying love of Jesus Christ. This occurs
especially at the consecration, where the bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.
Christ’s supreme sacrifice on the Cross, which is re-presented at each Mass, in turn elicits our love for
him. It also elicits our love for others, insofar as we see Christ in them. It is by partaking of the Body and
Blood of Christ that we are filled with every grace and heavenly blessing (see Eucharistic Prayer I) and
are empowered to live the Gospel in our daily lives.
In loving Christ, we want to find out more about him. Accordingly, we depend on the priest for the
authoritative teaching and preaching of the Word of God, especially in the homily at Mass. Our love for
Christ is further strengthened through acts of charity. Religious education programs and outreach
programs require that we use the things of this earth for the benefit of others. Through the sacred power of
Christ, which is received at ordination, the priest’s governance of these activities directs them to our
spiritual good.
Then, at the Chrism Mass, the bishop addresses the people:
“My brothers and sisters, pray for your priests. Ask the Lord to bless them with the fullness of his love, to
help them be faithful ministers of Christ the High Priest, so that they will be able to lead you to him, the
fountain of your salvation.
“People: Lord Jesus Christ, hear us and answer our prayer.”
It is critical that we support our priests and pray for them. Our priests work very hard. Due to the shortage
of priests, some pastors are responsible for four parishes. Our priests travel many miles each weekend to
celebrate Mass for the people. There are many pastoral demands that are made upon them as well.
With the latest priest assignments (see page 4), the diocese is now at the point where her priests are
stretched about as far as they can be. There is little or no wiggle room. That is why I have asked parishes
to look prayerfully, honestly, and charitably at their futures and to propose ways in which the diocese can
merge parishes for the good of the priests and the good of the people.
Recently at an “ad limina” visit by the bishops of Tanzania to the Vatican, Pope Francis said to them:
“Because of the critical importance of their ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and governing Christ’s
flock, the need for holy, well-educated, and zealous priests is always great. I join you in expressing
gratitude and encouragement for the ministry of your priests. The sacrifices they make, known often only
to God, are a source of much grace and holiness” (April 7, 2014).
At the Chrism Mass, I asked the congregation to show their appreciation for the work of our priests; they
gave a prolonged ovation. I join with Pope Francis and the people of the Diocese of New Ulm in thanking
our priests. Please support them, pray for them, and help them to keep the promises that they made at the
Chrism Mass. As Pope Francis said, “The sacrifices they make, known often only to God, are a source of
much grace and holiness.”
No Tengas Miedo
por Obispo John M. LeVoir
mayo 2014
Con Gratitud Infinita a Nuestros Sacerdotes
Durante la Misa Crismal, los sacerdotes de la diócesis renuevan su promesa sacerdotal públicamente. Este
año la Misa Crismal se celebró en la Catedral de la Santísima Trinidad en New Ulm. Desde el santuario,
miraba a los sacerdotes de la Diócesis de New Ulm, ellos reunidos en la parte delantera de los bancos de
la Iglesia, me emocionó profundamente. Ellos son mis hermanos y mis hijos.
Cada sacerdote de nuestra diócesis tiene su propia personalidad y su historia. Sin embargo, se unen como
uno a través del Orden Sacerdotal de Jesucristo. Su unidad también fue expresada por la renovación de
las promesas sacerdotales.
Después de la homilía, el Obispo se dirige a los sacerdotes:
“Hermanos míos, hoy celebramos la memoria de la Primera Eucaristía, nuestro Señor Jesucristo
compartió con sus apóstoles y con nosotros su llamado al servicio sacerdotal de su Iglesia. Ahora, en
presencia de su Obispo y pueblo santo de Dios, ¿están dispuestos a renovar su dedicación a Cristo como
sacerdotes de la nueva alianza?
“Sacerdotes: Si quiero.”
“Obispo: ¿Quieren ser ministros fieles de los misterios de Dios, para celebrar la Eucaristía y de los demás
servicios litúrgicos con sincera devoción? ¿Están decididos a imitar a Jesucristo, cabeza y pastor de la
Iglesia, mediante la enseñanza de la fe cristiana, sin pensar en su propio beneficio, exclusivamente para
el bienestar del pueblo a las que fueron enviados a servir?
“Sacerdotes: Si quiero.”
Al recibir el Sacramento de la Orden Sacerdotal, el sacerdote se configura íntimamente a Jesucristo.
También se le da una misión. El sacerdote recibe la gracia de santificar, enseñar, y gobernar el pueblo
sacerdotal. El recibe un llamado especial para servir al pueblo de Dios, es decir, para hacer cosas que los
harán santo. Este sacramento configura con Cristo mediante una gracia especial del Espíritu Santo a fin
de servir como instrumento de Cristo para su Iglesia. En la ordenación uno recibe la capacidad de actuar
como representante de Cristo, Cabeza de la Iglesia, en su triple función de sacerdote (santificar), profeta
(enseñar) y Rey (gobernar)” (Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica, no. 1581).
Como celebrante de la Misa, el sacerdote hace presente el amor santificador de Jesucristo. Esto ocurre
especialmente en la consagración, donde el pan y el vino se convierten en el cuerpo y sangre de Cristo. El
sacrificio que Cristo hizo en la cruz, la cual es representada en cada Misa. Cuando participamos del
cuerpo y la sangre de Cristo nos llena de toda la gracia y bendición celestial (ver Plegaria Eucarística I) y
son inspirados para vivir el Evangelio en nuestra vida cotidiana.
Luego, el Obispo se dirige al pueblo:
“Hermanos y hermanas, oren por sus sacerdotes. Pídele al Señor que los bendiga con la plenitud de su
amor, que les ayude ser fieles ministros de Cristo, Sumo Sacerdote, para que sean capaces de llevar la
fuente de la salvación.”
“Pueblo: Señor Jesucristo, escucha y responde nuestras oraciones.”
Es fundamental que apoyemos a nuestros sacerdotes y orar por ellos. Nuestros sacerdotes trabajan
arduamente. Debido a la escasez de sacerdotes, varios de ellos son responsables hasta de cuatro
parroquias. Nuestros sacerdotes viajan de ciudad en ciudad para celebrar la Santa Misa cada fin de
semana. Ellos también tienen otras responsabilidades pastorales.
Con las últimas asignaciones de sacerdotes, la diócesis se encuentra en el punto en que nuestros
sacerdotes se encuentran en una situación límite en la medida de lo posible. Es por eso que he pedido a
las parroquias por oración de forma honesta y caritativamente a su futuro y proponer la forma en que la
diócesis pueda fusionar las parroquias por el bien de los sacerdotes y del pueblo.
Recientemente en una visita “ad limina” de los obispos de Tanzania en el Vaticano, el Papa Francisco
dijo: Porque de la importancia fundamental de su ministerio de enseñar, santificar, y gobernar el rebaño
de Jesucristo, la necesidad de sacerdotes santos, educados siempre es un gran placer. Me uno a ustedes
para expresar gratitud y aliento para el ministerio de sus sacerdotes. Los sacrificios que hacen, conocidos
sólo por Dios, son una fuente de gratitud y santidad” (7 de Abril, 2014).
Me uno a Papa Francisco y al pueblo de la Diócesis de New Ulm para dar gracias a nuestros sacerdotes.
Por favor, apóyelos, y oren para que mantengan la promesa que hicieron en la Misa Crismal. Como dijo
el Papa Francisco, “Los sacrificios que hacen, conocidos sólo por Dios, son una fuente de gratitud y
santidad.”