In line with the call by the Holy Father for Catholics to see the current Jubilee year as an opportunity to be renewed in hope as pilgrims of hope in a world of uncertainties, war, hunger and suffering, Cardinal Thomas Collins has enjoined Christians to always listen to the voice of God in order to bear the right and expected witness and fruits as they make their pilgrim journey to God.

The Cardinal, who was preaching at the closing Mass to end a four-day Lenten devotion organized by the Wellington deanery in the Diocese of Hamilton, reminded Christians that religious gatherings are not just the gathering of persons but where we come to meet and encounter God in a special way in order to be strengthened to do good things in the world.

Reflecting on the readings of the day, Collins reminded Christians that the love of God and neighbour are at the centre of the Christian faith which St. John Paul II described as the two wings with which Christians fly and make their way to God.

Collins further encouraged participants in line with the Pope’s message during the current jubilee year of hope to always look up to God with faith that leads to hope despite the many challenges and distractions that we often face and encounter in the world and daily lives maintaining that the Christian faith leads to hope and hope gives strength to bear witness and do good things.

Citing the case of Esther, the Cardinal said there couldn’t be fruits without the roots and Esther relied on her faith in God and the power of prayer to confront her challenges. In the same way, Christians gather to worship God during the Eucharistic celebration or adoration, during which they are nurtured by the word of God, they hear and are strengthened by the body and blood of Christ and at the end of each Mass are sent out to go into the world and bear good fruits and so bring the light of God into the world that we live in.

The 40 hours of Lenten devotion, held from March 10-13, was “part of an ongoing Eucharistic revival in Wellington deanery with a special focus on the Eucharist,” said Fr. Ian Duffy, Rector of the host parish, Guelph, Ont.’s Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate.

The four-day Lenten devotion drew participants from parishes across the deanery who also expressed their appreciation and joy for the opportunity to have such an encounter with the Lord.

Brigitte Quinke, a parishioner and participant, said the event was an opportunity to experience the Lord in such a very special way.

“The most moving part was to see the Eucharistic procession led by the Cardinal through the Church to the place of Benediction.” She further expressed the joy felt seeing the deep expression of reverence and adoration by participants and said we need many of such moments in the Church today, especially given the world we now live in.

For Catarina Burguete from St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Elora, it was indeed a well-organized and well-attended Lenten devotion. She said the event brought “people together providing strength in devotion to our Lord, making our Lenten journeys more fruitful.”

“To have reflections and homilies given by the Cardinal was such an honour as so often Church leaders might feel distant and inaccessible. So much strength is gained when regular parishioners feel connected to the bishop and indeed Cardinals even, ” Burguete said.

The Wellington deanery has been promoting Eucharistic adoration across parishes in the deanery. Last year and for the very first time in recent times, parishes had also gathered for the celebration of Corpus Christi at the Guelph basilica which was followed by a Eucharistic procession beginning from the basilica through the busy streets of the city in adoration to a nearby parish where the procession was concluded with a benediction. It’s hoped the event will become an annual one and promote Eucharistic adoration.

(Fr. Gordian Okpuruka is pastor St. John Brebeuf, Erin Ont.)