I will be leaving for Rome this Wednesday, October 15th. I am going over a week ahead of our parish group in order to attend the closing Mass of the Synod on the family, during which Pope Paul VI will be Beatified by Pope Francis. Paul VI was Pope while I was a student in Rome from 1973-1978. I had the privilege of serving Christmas Eve Mass for him in 1973 in Saint Peter’s Basilica and met him personally after the Mass. (see photos below).
I am very happy to have this opportunity to be at the Mass on October 19th during which Pope Paul will advance one step closer to being proclaimed a saint. Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass and I will concelebrate with hundreds of others and hopefully be able to help with the distribution of Holy Communion. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to this day, and will remember all of you in prayer.