AtonementOnline: The Archbishop at our altar

21 January 2013

The Archbishop at our altar

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller was at the parish on Saturday, January 19th, when he administered the sacrament of Confirmation to 104 confirmandi. He celebrated the Mass according to our Anglican Use liturgy.

"With all my heart, I bless you and your people..."

In 1983 I was a newly-ordained priest. In November of that year, it was my privilege to be in Rome to take part in developing The Book of Divine Worship. During that time an invitation was extended to celebrate Mass with His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, in his private chapel. After we had said Mass, and in those few moments I had with the Holy Father, he told me that he remembered considering the request for my ordination, and he described how he came to an affirmative decision. For me, our brief conversation was an experience which will be treasured forever. At the conclusion of our time together, I asked him if I could take his blessing back to the people of my parish. His very simple words remain precious to me: "With all my heart, I bless you and your people." He then embraced me, and I knew that I was forever "home in my Father's house."