Much has been written recently about the condition of the Church. Unfortunately, what is commonly reported in the secular press is negative in nature. Reports focus on those who disagree with the teachings of the Church, those who are nominally Catholic but do not practice the faith, or those who, sadly, have completely left the Church. For all who struggle with questions, identity or correct Catholic practice, we invite them back and pray that they will recognize that the Church remains open to draw them into a life of faith.
It is extremely important for us to realize that, in spite of what we consider "bad news," there remains so much unreported "good news" about the Catholic Church and the vibrant Christian lives which hundreds of millions of Catholics throughout the world are living. Contrary to negative news accounts, there are multitudes of Catholics who have not left the Church. Rather, they have found in the Church their home, their strength and their vocation. Locally, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is home to almost 1,500,000 Catholics. Of these, hundreds of thousands are faithful Catholics who live daily, in ordinary and simple ways, the Holy Faith which has formed saints and guided and transformed sinners for 2,000 years. Because of their appreciation for their role in the Church, many others are drawn to embrace the Catholic faith. Also, some are inspired to respond to the Lord's call to ministry within the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Of note, during the liturgical season of Easter, which concluded only a short while ago, hundreds of people of all ages were baptized or fully incorporated into the Catholic Church. On Pentecost Sunday, three hundred adults received the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Cathedral-Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. On May 20, I had the privilege of ordaining three men to the Priesthood and on Sunday, June 11, I joyfully ordained seven men to the Permanent Diaconate. Furthermore, the appointment by Pope Benedict XVI of Monsignor Daniel E. Thomas as an Auxiliary Bishop and of Bishop Michael F. Burbidge as Bishop of Raleigh indicate the vibrancy and constancy of the Church guided by the Holy Spirit.
Everyday Witness of the Faithful
The sanctification and transformation of the world takes place on a daily basis, aided by the everyday witness of the faithful. Men and women, boy and girls who have been affected by their encounter with Jesus Christ bring the consciousness of Christ's presence wherever they go. Whether in the home, in the midst of the family, in the neighborhood, in the midst of the community, in the workplace, in the very "heart of the world," those who know Jesus want to "live Jesus" and show His face to others. Our late beloved Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, in an address to young people in Spain on May 3, 2003, explained: "The Lord's faithful presence makes you capable of taking on the commitment of the new evangelization, to which all of the Church's children are called. It is a task for all. Lay people play a lead role in it, especially husbands and wives and Christian families."
As a Bishop, I am edified and uplifted every day by the faithful whom I meet in my pastoral visits and liturgical celebrations. Throughout our great Archdiocese, husbands and wives with their families, individuals, young and old, all come to Mass on Sunday to be formed by the word of God and nourished by the Bread of Life. They are drawn, not out of the sense of obligation, but out of an attitude of dependence on God. They are conscious of this dependence upon God and find in the celebration of the Mass and the reception of the Eucharist the unifying principle in living the Christian vocation.
I must make special mention of the many people whom I have met who are sick and suffering. These people heroically accept the cross which has been placed upon them. In spite of pain or anxiety, with great confidence, these people place their hope and trust in God. In Him, and in the sacramental and pastoral ministry of the Church, those who are suffering find consolation, strength and support. For those of us who observe the courageous endurance of those with health problems, we increase in faith as well. To aid others in their sufferings is to care for Christ Himself.
Particularly moving is the witness of young people. Teenagers, college students and young adults are attracted to know and live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Disenchanted with the distorted values of our modern world, young people are seeking to know Jesus. Many have found Jesus in learning and living the truths professed by the Catholic faith. These conscientious young people are repelled by the many forms of violence, addiction, abuse and hedonism which contemporary culture propounds. Rather, they are drawn by Christ's invitation to simplicity, peace, justice and chaste love. In Christ, they find the perfection which they desire to emulate and the Teacher whom they wish to follow. For them, the Church and her doctrine provide clear guidelines, a better way, a moral way of life which gives them the freedom of the children of God. These young people will continue to attract more youth to meet, to know and to follow Jesus.
Encountering Christ in the Eucharist
The source of the Church's vitality, vibrance and youthfulness is the Most Holy Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Eucharist is the Heart of the Church. The Eucharist is also the mission of the Church, for we, who have encountered Christ in the Eucharist, are sent to bring others to meet the Lord. This is accomplished by the love which we experience in the Eucharist, the love which Jesus commands that we share with one another.
Pope Benedict XVI, in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est, wrote: "Faith, which sees the love of God revealed in the pierced heart of Jesus on the Cross, gives rise to love. Love is the light " and in the end, the only light " that can always illuminate a world grown dim and give us the courage needed to keep living and working" (no. 39). In the Eucharist, we adore and consume Jesus from whose heart flows the bounteous love which is needed to transform the world. Invigorated by Holy Communion and sustained by Eucharistic Adoration, we become vessels of God's love. We become missionaries who readily and willingly – though sometimes unknowingly – demonstrate the vitality of the Church and attract others to come and see Jesus.
On Sunday, June 18, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In many parishes throughout the Archdiocese there will be periods of Eucharistic Adoration, Eucharistic Processions and Benediction. These celebrations enable us to witness to others that we firmly believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Most Holy Eucharist. We adore Jesus that we might more readily and worthily receive Him. Each time we receive Him, we long to be with Him longer. Thus our reception of Holy Communion and our periods of Eucharistic Adoration complement each other. The more deeply we enter into the Eucharistic Mystery, the more we are energized for the work of evangelization. We then become an active part of the "good news" about the Church as her mission extends day-by-day, in the ordinariness of life, penetrating deeply into the core of each person who desires to encounter Jesus.
