We made an annual four-day trip to the South Bronx, where we worshipped, prayed and were equipped to go out sharing the love of Jesus Christ with His people on the streets.
There were 30 of us who traveled from as far away as England to be on mission during Corpus Christi weekend. We joined the local parishioners and their prayer teams who blessed us with so much love and beautiful hospitality. We prayed, moved, laughed and cried as one. We learned from each other and grew in friendship and in holiness as we prepared our hearts to share the love of Christ with His people on the streets of the South Bronx.
I wrote about my experience last year, so this year I’m sharing the experience of some of my sisters in Christ who were pilgrims along with me.
Colleen:
We are made to be moving tabernacles for the Lord. We are made for mission. This is what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Latin “Ite missa Est” translated into English “Go, it is sent. The “it” being the Church.
We receive the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ so that we can be equipped and ready to proclaim the Gospel with passion and authenticity. We carry the power and peace of Jesus Christ. From Matthew 10:1, “Then he summoned his 12 disciples and gave the authority over unclean spirits to drive out and to cure every disease and every illness.” Every baptized Christian is a modern-day apostle.
We took what we received in Mass and gave the love to our neighbor. Jesus seeks cooperation from his people and we are the hands and feet of Christ. The great people of the South Bronx were ready and open to know that Christ loved them. We testified to the truth and witnessed His healing power through limbs, hands and feet working freely where they weren’t before, spirits of addiction breaking off, tears of joy, repentance over sin and the gift of knowing that their brothers and sisters listened and prayed as Jesus ministered to them. I believe that people were forever changed by Christ’s love.
Suzanne:
This weekend was such a good foundation of prayer in small groups fueled by the celebration of the Holy Mass and Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Going out on the streets flowed from this time of prayer and worship.
There was no fear in speaking with people about Jesus. I truly felt a peace and unity with the people I spoke with on the streets. People everywhere are hurting from past wounds, loneliness and rejection from people in different areas of their lives.
Some sisters from the Missionaries of Charity joined us in prayer and they told us that the love of Jesus healed them in many ways over the weekend of prayer together before the Blessed Sacrament.
As Christians, we are called to share the love of Christ with all people. From Matthew 5:15-16, “Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father.”
Jesus is the light and His light attracts others. Our encounters increased like “bees on honey” as word got out that we were praying with people. Jesus attracted them and people in the neighborhood just kept coming to us. Jesus was touching souls. It was beautiful to witness people encountering Christ’s love and healing touch.
Nancy:
Every day the Holy Mass was so moving. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, Father George was crying during the Consecration. It was so beautiful. It was such an intimate moment between him and Jesus and we had the gift of witnessing it and being moved by it. I began to cry as did most people in the Church. How can we not be moved during the miracle of the Holy Mass? It is truly heaven on earth. We are witnessing the miracle of love at each and every Mass.
Father George then laid prostrate facing the altar during the time of the homily. It was a moving posture of love. A priest gives his life to serve God and His people, and in that moment I think we all felt the weight of priesthood. The diocesan priest is responsible for every soul in his parish’s geographical boundaries — not just Catholics. This is a gift and a responsibility. As Father rested in the Lord, more tears came to me and to those around me. I silently prayed and gave thanks for this holy priest.
Lori:
Lord, we thank you for our time of pilgrimage to the South Bronx. Let us always remember that we are pilgrims on a journey with you. We praise you for those mountaintop moments where You fill us up, where you show us the way clearly, where we learn to know Your love in a powerful and new way. Help us to live our daily lives with that same love and zeal. We give thanks for our brothers and sisters in Christ as we walk together; we are your little children. Thank you, Jesus, for all that you are doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
This will be my final column for The Catholic Times. I’m so grateful for the privilege of sharing my thoughts, prayers and spiritual journey with you over the last 10 years. Thank you and may God bless you!