AtonementOnline: The Holy Guardian Angels Bridge

02 October 2014

The Holy Guardian Angels Bridge

Connecting the St. Anne Playground with the St. Nicholas Field is the Holy Guardian Angels bridge, which spans a creek bed (usually dry, but which can become raging with high water during storms). Since it was built nineteen years ago, there were repairs required, and the bridge was basically rebuilt over the past few months.

The bridge was rededicated and blessed on the Feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, with the children of the Lower School in attendance.

THE PRAYER OF BLESSING

Almighty and eternal Father, who hast appointed Holy Angels to watch over us and to keep us in the way of salvation; Bless, we pray thee, this bridge, in the Name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

In thine eternal goodness, send thy Holy Angel from heaven to watch over it; protect it and support it, and keep in safety all those who shall pass over it. Grant this, we pray thee, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

"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."