9-12-25 The Mirror(digital)

TOne Church, East to West: Loving Jesus, Serving Jesus, Sharing Jesus

By The Very Rev. Shoby Chettiyath, JCL, V.G.

Why our Diocese needs a

EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS

he Eucharist is not simply one aspect of our Catholic faith; it is the heart, the center, and the summit.

As the Second Vatican Council taught: “The Most Holy Eucharist contains the Church’s entire spiritual wealth: Christ Himself, our Passover and living bread. Through His flesh, made living and lifegiving by the Holy Spirit, He offers life to men” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, 5). The Eucharist is therefore the wellspring from which all Christian life flows and the summit toward which every act of the Church is directed.

For the Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau, the time has come to gather around this sacrament with renewed fervor by celebrating a Eucharistic Congress next August 15, 2026. Such a gathering is not merely a devotional exercise or a cultural event. It is a profound act of faith and communion— an opportunity for catechesis, renewal, missionary witness, and unity.

This year carries even greater significance. Our Diocese is celebrating its 70th anniversary, a milestone that invites us to look back in gratitude for all that God has done and to look forward in hope. What better way to mark this jubilee than by centering everything on Christ, present in the Eucharist? Just as the Israelites celebrated jubilees as times of renewal, forgiveness, and restoration, so too our diocesan jubilee is a moment to be re-rooted in the One who makes all things new.

Renewal of Eucharistic Faith

At the heart of Catholic life stands the mystery of the Real Presence. Jesus himself declared: “I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever” (Jn 6:51). He did not leave us a mere sign or symbol but gave us His very self: “This is my Body… This is my Blood” (Mt 26:26–28).

Yet surveys consistently reveal that many Catholics no longer grasp or believe this central truth. The US Bishops, in The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church (2021), lamented: “It is a profound

sadness that many of our Catholic brothers and sisters understand so little of the gift that the Lord has given us in the Eucharist.”

Pope St. John Paul II foresaw this danger and insisted: “The Church draws her life from the Eucharist” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 1). If faith in the Eucharist wanes, the very life of the Church weakens. A Eucharistic Congress directly addresses this crisis by placing the Eucharist visibly at the center of diocesan life—through Mass, Eucharistic adoration, catechesis, preaching, and public witness.

A Sign of Unity in a Large Diocese

The Diocese of Springfield–Cape Girardeau covers nearly 26,000 square miles, stretching from the Mississippi River to the Ozark hills. We are a family of parishes that includes urban centers, small towns, college campuses, and rural farming communities. At times, distance and diversity can make us seem fragmented.

The Eucharist is the great antidote to fragmentation. As Pope Benedict XVI reminded us: “The Church is not something planned or conceived by human beings but is a work of God. And the Eucharist is the place where this work of God continually takes place” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 14).

Gathering for a Eucharistic Congress expresses visibly that we are one body in Christ (cf. 1 Cor 10:17). When clergy, religious, and laity come together from every corner of the diocese, the Eucharist becomes the bridge that unites us across distance, culture, and circumstance. On the 70th anniversary of our diocese, this unity is particularly significant: we stand as heirs of the faith planted by our forebearers, asking the Eucharistic Lord to strengthen us for the next chapter of our mission.

A Missionary Witness to the World

The Eucharist is the Church’s greatest treasure, but it is not meant to be hidden. Pope Francis reminds us that it is “missionary,” sending us into the world: “The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak” (Evangelii Gaudium, 47).

A Eucharistic Congress provides

AUG.

15,

2026 | WEST PLAINS CIVIC CENTER

Celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the foundation of our diocese (Aug. 24, 1956) during our firstever Diocesan Eucharistic Congress to be held in the West Plains Civic Center. All people of the diocese are invited to participate in a year of spiritual preparation for these momentous celebrations by participating in the activities listed at www.dioscg.org/diocesaneucharistic-congress

MONSTRANCE WITH EUCHARISTIC LORD

Bishop Edward M. Rice carried our Eucharistic Lord during a recent procession in Carthage, MO. The upcoming Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, Aug. 15, 2026 in celebration of the diocese’s 70th anniversary, is a moment when the entire Diocese— clergy, religious, and laity—will gather around the Eucharist, publicly witnessing to Christ’s enduring presence. In times of societal upheaval, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles, such a gathering reminds us that we are not alone. The Eucharist anchors us in a truth greater than any fleeting trend, a love stronger than any hardship. It is the place where hearts are healed, faith is renewed, and hope is rekindled, says The Very Rev. Shoby Chettiyath, JCL, V.G. (The Mirror)

opportunities for public witness. Eucharistic processions proclaim that Jesus Christ is truly alive, walking with his people. Times of adoration invite all—Catholics and non-Catholics alike—to encounter the peace that flows from His presence. In a society marked by loneliness, anxiety, and division, the Eucharist becomes the answer to humanity’s deepest hunger. As taught by the US Bishops: “Participation in the Eucharist should transform us so that we live as missionary

• Celebration of the Holy Mass with Keynote speaker Bishop James Conley, Bishop Edward Rice, and the priests of our diocese

• National Speakers: Author & Theologian Dr. Scott Hahn; Awardwinning chef, radio & TV host Fr. Leo Patalinghug of “Plating Grace,” and more!

• Youth speaker tracks for kids and teens

• Exhibit Hall with displays, games, Catholic products

Bp. Edward M. Rice

Devotion to the faith is not ‘old-fashioned’ COME, AND YOU WILL SEE

Family life was built around Mass on Sunday, Perpetual Help devotions on Tuesday, the family rosary, and stations of the cross during Lent. Each summer we would be expected to walk to Mass once during the week to pray for blessings of the crops—usually prayers for rain. The question at night would be mom calling up the stairs, ‘Did you all say your prayers?’”

These words above are the recollections of a School Sister Saint Francis of Milwaukee, Sr. Therese Thoenen. Celebrating her 75th anniversary, Sr. Thoenen talked of her childhood on a farm outside of Frankenstein, MO. Reading them, the words sound so quaint, old-fashioned, from a bygone era. But do they have to be?

In my previous column, I spoke about reclaiming the Lord’s Day. Of course, in every day and in every age there have been challenges and obstacles to attending Holy Mass, and today has its own challenges. With many department stores, grocery stores, and restaurants open on Sunday, there is the ever-present temptation to get things done on Sunday, perhaps even working at one of these places, which in the end, no longer allows Sunday to be a day of rest. Rather, it’s just one more day of the week during which to labor and run errands. Sunday is more than attending Sunday Mass, although that is at the heart of what is meant by “keeping holy the Lord’s Day.” How do you spend the rest of your Sunday? Is it truly a “day of rest.” Do I enjoy downtime with family and engage in prayer?

I’ve mentioned in the past that the Council of Catholic men of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, in cooperation with Bishop Charles Helmsing, the first bishop of the diocese,

distributed a “The Family in the Prayer Life of the Church,” family prayer card in 1959. It was hoped that the faithful of the diocese would “pursue their vocation of personal sanctification within the family circle,” what we today call the “domestic church.”

CATHOLICS

GIVE GLORY TO THE “NAME WHICH IS ABOVE EVERY NAME.”  BOW YOUR HEAD WHEN YOU HEAR THE NAME OF JESUS.   AMEN.

Bishop Helmsing said, “I encourage the father and mother of a family to assume their rightful places in leading their family in prayer and offer a good example to bring the family closer to the Church, and thus closer to God.”

Getting back to Sister Thoenen’s recollections of her childhood with Sunday Mass, Tuesday devotions, and family rosary, wouldn’t it be beautiful if all our parents would instill such spiritual traditions in their children today? Living the faith is not quaint, old-fashioned, or from a bygone era. Echoing the words of Bishop Helmsing, let the “father and mother of a family lead their family in prayer, and offer a good example.” As we prepare for our Diocesan Eucharistic Congress (DEC) in August of 2026, lets begin now!

One may be tempted to assume that since we are in the midwest and have no borders that touch Mexico, Canada, or another foreign country that immigration issues do not affect us. Such an assumption would be wrong. Recently a woman from Kennett MO, a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Parish, was released in June after being arrested and held for four weeks by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She entered

the country legally in 2004 with a non-immigrant visa. She worked at McDonald’s, was a homeowner, a typical “soccer mom,” and with her husband has raised three children, ages 14, 12, and 7.

She was allowed to remain in the country under what is called orders of supervision and was also granted authorization to work in the United States. Although she was released, her future is still up in the air.

The Bishops of the State of Kansas recently came out with their own statement regarding the treatment of immigrants. After affirming the sacred dignity of every human person, and in the midst of political division and fear, they proclaim, “treating all immigrants and refugees as if they were violent criminals as simply unjust. They are human beings made in God’s image: mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents, motivated not by malice but by a desire for safety, stability, and the chance to provide for their families.”

Some 20 years ago the State of Missouri put out the statistic that there are immigrants in every county in the State of Missouri and certainly the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau has our share. They are our brothers and sisters.

“O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine.” ©TM

ANOTHER WALK THROUGH: ‘Walking Together’

By Bishop Emeritus John J. Leibrecht

Before his retirement in 2008 as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, Bishop John Leibrecht wrote a standing column in The Mirror entitled, “Walking Together.” At the end of each article, Bp. Leibrecht would normally share a funny story referencing his travels to the schools, or time with friends, family, or other bishops. The Mirror has decided to share a few of these in an ongoing series entitled, “Another walk through: ‘Walking Together.’” We hope you enjoy them.

December 10, 1993 Since her husband seemingly knows all the answers, she asks only for what is out of the question.

December 17, 1993 After the class had listened to the part of the Christmas story about there being no room in the inn, one firstgrader explained to another, “Joseph forgot to make reservations!”

December 24, 1993 Santa asked a small boy what he was going to give his little sister for Christmas. “I don’t know,” he said. “Last Christmas, I gave her the measles.”

ADULT FAITH/ADVERTISING

10 REASONS TO COME BACK TO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

By Lorene Hanley Duquin OSV News

“You Can’t Go Home Again” is the title of a once-famous novel by Thomas Wolfe. There is deep wistfulness in his novel, for he believed that going home again is bound to be a great disappointment.

Not so with the Catholic Church. No matter how long you’ve been away, you can always come home. You can start coming to Mass. You can become a part of a parish community. You can enter into the faith far more deeply than when you left.

If you’ve been away from practicing the faith, chances are, you’re already feeling a strange inner pull. No matter what anyone else tells you, the spiritual longing you feel is God trying to draw you back to himself. But God never forces. God only invites. Whether you return to the Catholic Church is a decision that only you can make.

There are as many reasons for coming back to the Church as there are people who left. While God is at the center of each person’s decision to return, the circumstances are varied.

Here are 10 reasons that influenced the decision of others to return to the practice of the Catholic faith.

10. Because they want meaning in life. In the hustle of today’s busy lifestyles, lots of people suddenly realize that their lives have lost a sense of meaning or purpose. They begin to ask themselves, “What is my life all about? Why do I do what I do?” There is widespread confusion in our culture with regard to morality and truth. The Catholic Church offers a beacon of light that gives meaning to our existence and leads to eternal life.

9. Because childhood memories surface. Some people say childhood memories of feeling connected to God surface in later life. They begin to ask themselves, “Is it possible to recapture that simplicity of faith? Can I ever really believe that God is watching out for me?” The secularization of our society leads people away from the spiritual side of themselves. The Catholic Church offers both religious and mystical experiences that feed the heart, the mind, the body and the soul.

8. Because they made mistakes. Some people become burdened with the weight of accumulated sin. They want to get rid of the guilt of having hurt themselves or others. They begin to ask themselves, “Will God ever forgive me? Is there any way I can start over with a clean slate?” You can always tell God that you’re sorry. But if you want the complete assurance of God’s forgiveness and the grace to start again, the Catholic Church offers absolution in the sacrament of penance and reconciliation.

HUNGER FOR THE EUCHARIST Without exception, the No. 1 reason people come back to the Catholic Church is described as a deep hunger for the spiritual nourishment that comes when they receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. This hunger for the Eucharist triggers a recognition of the presence of Christ in other sacraments, which draws them even more deeply into the practice of their faith. (‘25 Mysteries of the Rosary’ Art by Janne Ruiz @ Popsicle Prints: popsickleprints.etsy.com)

Sometimes people hold on to anger and resentment toward individuals who have hurt them deeply. Maybe it was a family member or a friend. Maybe it was someone or something in the Church. Our modern culture condones and encourages anger and revenge. But hatred and bitterness are spiritual cancers that eat at the heart of a person. The Catholic Church provides the opportunity to seek God’s help in forgiving others, even when the other person does not ask for forgiveness or does not deserve it. The ability to forgive is a gift that opens a person’s heart more fully to God’s love and peace.

6. Because they want to be healed. Some people carry deep spiritual wounds. They struggle with anger at God over bad things—a terminal illness, a debilitating injury, a broken relationship, mental or emotional problems, an act of violence against an innocent person, an unexplainable accident, some natural disaster, the death of a loved one or some other deep disappointment. The Catholic Church cannot change these situations or explain why they happened. But there are people in the Church who can assist in spiritual healing and help you get on with your life.

Christian denominations, but only one Catholic Church, which has been guided and protected by the Holy Spirit from generation to generation for some 2,000 years.

4. Because they want their children to have a faith foundation. Some people return to the Catholic Church because they recognize that raising children in a culture that promotes “doing your own thing” can lead to disaster. Children need to experience the spiritual dimension of life. They need a structured system of belief and a firm moral foundation that goes beyond human logic and reasoning. People return because they want a solid foundation upon which their children can build their lives.

3. Because they want to be part of a faith community. Many people seek a sense of belonging. But community is more than just friendly people, good sermons/homilies and interesting activities. A Catholic Christian community is a group of people who gather around the person of Jesus Christ to worship God and live in the light of the Holy Spirit. Catholics come together at Mass, in the sacraments and in parish activities to pray, to celebrate joys, to mourn losses, to serve others, to provide support and to receive strength for daily life. A Catholic parish offers all of this—and much more— to people who recognize the importance of walking with others toward union with God.

2. Because they want to help other people. There are lots of opportunities within the secular world to volunteer. What’s missing is the spiritual dimension that service within the Catholic Church provides. It’s more than just a “feel-good” activity. It’s part of the great commandment to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself (see Mk 12:28-34). In reaching out to others, Catholic volunteers become instruments of God’s love. The Catholic Church offers opportunities to touch the lives of people at home or around the world.

1. Because they hunger for the Eucharist. Many people come back to the Catholic Church because they feel an intense longing for the Eucharist. Sometimes it happens at a wedding, a funeral, a baptism, a first Communion or a confirmation. Sometimes it happens when people are alone or facing difficulties in life. They describe it as a deep hunger for the spiritual nourishment that comes when they receive the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. This hunger for the Eucharist triggers a recognition of the presence of Christ in other sacraments, which draws them even more deeply into the practice of their faith. It is, without exception, the No. 1 reason people come back to the Catholic Church.

7. Because they need to forgive others.

5. Because the Catholic Church has the fullness of truth and grace. Many people who leave the Catholic Church are blessed by the experience of worshiping for a while in another Christian denomination. But some people come back when they realize that Catholicism has the fullness of truth and grace. The Catholic Church was not founded by a single reformer or historical movement. It is not fragmented by individual interpretation of Scripture. There are thousands of

Most people discover that coming back to the Church is not an event as much as it is a process that involves a little pain, a little laughter, some thinking, some prayer, some discernment and a lot of letting go.

“My actual return to full participation in a parish took about three years after I felt the first longing,” one person admitted.

And what do they get in return? The Catholic Church offers union with Jesus Christ in Scripture, in prayer, in the community of others, in the Eucharist, and in the other sacraments. It offers spiritual support in good times and bad. It offers divine wisdom that is thousands of years old. It offers meaning and purpose in this life and the promise of life after death.

You’ll know you are home when you begin to feel a deep sense of peace. ©OSV News

disciples, bringing His love to the world” (The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, 28). A Eucharistic Congress is outward-facing, sending us forth with renewed zeal to bring Christ’s love into our families, workplaces, schools, and communities.

Unity of Priests Through the Eucharist

The Eucharist is not only the source of strength for individual priests but also the bond that unites them in fraternity and mission. As Presbyterorum Ordinis reminds us, the priest’s ministry is intrinsically linked to the Eucharist: “The ministry of priests is directed above all to the Eucharist” (PO, 5). Every celebration of the Mass and every sacramental act is rooted in their shared participation in Christ’s sacrificial offering.

Through the Eucharist, priests are united not merely as colleagues but as members of a single presbyterate, called to serve Christ and his Church. Pope St. John Paul II emphasized: “Priests are united in their priestly fraternity by the Eucharist, the one source of their sanctity and pastoral fruitfulness” (Pastores Dabo Vobis, 49).

A diocesan Eucharistic Congress provides a visible and tangible expression of this unity. When priests concelebrate Mass, lead adoration, or participate in processions together, they witness to a communion that transcends individual parishes. This unity strengthens collaboration with the laity, inspiring confidence and participation, and demonstrating that the Eucharist is the center of all diocesan life. On the 70th anniversary of the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, highlighting priestly unity becomes especially meaningful: after

DIOCESAN/NATIONAL NEWS

seven decades, our clergy continue to stand together, devoted to Christ and his people, nourished by the sacrament that is the heart of the Church.

A Tradition of Eucharistic Congresses

Eucharistic Congresses have deep roots in the Church, stretching back more than 140 years. The first was held in Lille, France, in 1881, inspired by St.Peter Julian Eymard, the “Apostle of the Eucharist,” and organized by Émilie-Marie Tamisier, a laywoman who longed to deepen devotion to the Real Presence of Christ. In 1888, Pope Leo XIII formally approved International Eucharistic Congresses, which continue today, gathering thousands of clergy, religious, and lay faithful from around the world.

Whether international, national, or diocesan, Eucharistic Congresses have always had the same purpose: to draw hearts back to the center of the Church’s life—the Eucharist. They provide a time of catechesis, prayer, liturgy, and public witness to the faith. Over the years, popes and bishops have highlighted these Congresses as moments of grace, strengthened unity, and the rekindling of missionary zeal.

In the United States, Eucharistic Congresses have been held in many dioceses, most famously the Ninth International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago (1926), which drew nearly one million participants. These gatherings remind us that the Eucharist is not only the source of our spiritual life but also the bond of communion that unites the Church across time and place.

By celebrating a Eucharistic Congress in our own diocese—especially on our 70th anniversary—we continue this living tradition and stand with generations of Catholics worldwide who

MASS WITH THE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 6:00 PM

ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON CHURCH, SPRINGFIELD

Join us for this beautiful and prayerful liturgy as we remember and honor all children who have gone before us to the Lord, and ask Christ to bring comfort and peace to all who grieve. Everyone is welcome. The Mass will be livestreamed from our website, seaschurch.org. The Livestream will be available on the homepage about 10 minutes before Mass time. In loving service, we will also collect donations for mothers and babies at LifeHouse Crisis Maternity Home.

May the angels guide our children who have died into paradise. Jesus said, “... for I say to you that their angels behold the face of my father” –Mt. 18:10

have adored Christ in the Eucharist and made him known to the world.

In Step with the National Eucharistic Revival

The bishops of the United States recently launched a three-year Eucharistic Revival, culminating in the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis (2024). Their vision was and is clear: “We want the Church in the United States to be healed, converted, formed, and unified by an encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist” (USCCB, Eucharistic Revival Mission Statement).

A diocesan Eucharistic Congress ensures that this national movement takes root locally. It is not only a large gathering but also a spark that sets parish life, schools, families, and individual disciples on fire with Eucharistic devotion. By coming together at the diocesan level, we make the Revival concrete: providing formation, encouraging deeper prayer, fostering vocations, and inspiring missionary outreach.

In this way, the Eucharistic Revival is not just an event ending in 2024 but a renewal that leaves lasting fruit— parishes centered on the Eucharist, families strengthened in faith, and communities more united in Christ’s love.

An Anchor in a Time of Change

We live in what sociologists call a “liquid society”—unstable, rapidly shifting, and uncertain. Families feel pressures from cultural change, young people wrestle with questions of identity and purpose, and many adults experience fragmentation, disconnection, or even despair. In such a context, it is easy to feel untethered, as though the ground beneath our lives is constantly shifting.

The Eucharist stands as our anchor.

As the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Heb 6:19).

In the Eucharist, God offers a steadfast presence: the same Christ who walked among his disciples, who suffered, died, and rose again, is truly present with us now, sustaining, guiding, and strengthening us. Benedict XVI called the Eucharist, “the sacrament of charity,” because it manifests God’s unchanging love in the midst of human change (Sacramentum Caritatis, 1). It is here, at the altar, that we encounter a love that never wavers, a love that offers stability amid uncertainty, hope amid anxiety, and peace amid division.

A Eucharistic Congress becomes a tangible expression of this reality. It is a moment when the entire

diocese—clergy, religious, and laity—gathers around the Eucharist, publicly witnessing to Christ’s enduring presence.

In times of societal upheaval, economic uncertainty, and personal struggles, such a gathering reminds us that we are not alone.

The Eucharist anchors us in a truth greater than any fleeting trend, a love stronger than any hardship. It is the place where hearts are healed, faith is renewed, and hope is rekindled.

Moreover, by gathering as a diocesan family, we show the world that Christ is not a distant figure of history, but the living center of our lives. Through processions, adoration, and communal worship, we proclaim that even in a rapidly changing world, God’s presence endures. The Eucharist anchors us individually, it unites us communally, and it sends us forth strengthened for the mission of bringing Christ’s love into every corner of our society.

Called to Renewal, Sent on Mission

Our diocese cannot afford to let this 70th anniversary pass as only a celebration of the past. A Eucharistic Congress is not simply about gathering for beautiful liturgies and inspiring talks—it is about conversion. It is about asking whether the Eucharist truly shapes our lives, our parishes, our families, and our mission.

Too often, we approach the Eucharist casually, distractedly, or even indifferently. Too often, we separate what we celebrate on Sunday from how we live on Monday. A Congress challenges us to bridge that gap: to let Christ’s presence at the altar transform the way we forgive, the way we serve, the way we witness to our faith in a culture that is often indifferent or even hostile to it.

If the Eucharist is truly “the source and summit” of our faith, then it must also become the source and summit of our daily lives. This is the challenge placed before us: to rekindle our love for the Eucharist, to deepen our reverence, and to allow this sacrament to make us into a Eucharistic people—one body, united in Christ, and sent into the world as His witnesses.

May this Eucharistic Congress not leave us the same as when we arrived, but change us—healed, renewed, and set ablaze with missionary zeal. For southern Missouri, for the Church in America, and for the world, may we rise to this challenge: to be anchored in the Eucharist, united in Christ, and courageous in bringing his love to all.

God Bless you and remain Blessed! ©TM

NEW PASTORAL CHANGES

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Fr. Jose Kumblumkal, CMI, pastor of St. Joseph Parish, in Billings, and St. Susanne Parish, in Mount Vernon, has been reassigned by his religious order and has left the diocese effective Sept. 1, 2025. Father Bejoy Thomas, CMI, is to be appointed as Parochial Administrator for both parishes effective Sept. 20, 2025. Please pray for both Fr. Kumblumkal and Fr. Thomas as they begin their new pastoral assignments. ©TM KUMBLUMKAL

Mon., Oct. 20 | 4:00 pm

St. John Henry Newman Center, Cape Girardeau

Tue., Oct. 21 | 4:00 pm

O’Reilly Catholic Student Center, Springfield

These events are for high-school aged and older men and women (and their parents), who are discerning God’s will in their lives & open to learning more about a vocation to the priesthood or religious community. Bishop Rice, area clergy, and religious will be on-hand to share information, fellowship, prayer, and answer questions about their own vocational discernment. Please RSVP to Kim Kearbey, indicating which event you will attend: kkearbey@dioscg.org.

TUNE IN TO LOCAL CATHOLIC RADIO AROUND THE DIOCESE!

KQOH 91.9 FM Springfield

K232FF 94.3 FM Cape Girardeau

KHJM 89.1 FM Dexter & the Bootheel

KFSS 94.5 FM Joplin

KJCW 1100 AM Joplin 92.1 FM Carthage

Forsyth—Our Lady of the Ozarks Parish, located at 951 Swan Valley Dr., will hold its Annual Fall Rummage & Bake Sale on Thu., Sept 25, 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri., Sept 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; and Sat., Sept. 27, 8 a.m.-Noon.

Glennon St. Anthony Parish Fall Dinner will be Sun., Oct. 12, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the Glennon Parish Hall. Menu includes kettle beef, dumplings, dressing, and all the trimmings, dessert & drinks included. Adults: $14; children (612): $8; ages 5 and under: free.

Fredericktown—St. Michael the Archangel Church will hold Oktoberfest, Sun., Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., at 400 W. Main St. Everyone is welcome! Fried chicken and pulled pork dinners, served inside: adults-$15, children-$8 (ages 6-12 yrs.); carry-out is available. Bratwurst, porkburgers, and nachos. Be sure to visit Carrie Jo & Trish’s Country Store, featuring homemade bread, baked goods, canned produce, and more! Craft room, themed baskets, bounce house, and much more!

Jackson—Options for Women will hold its 13th Annual Banquet for Life, Tue., Oct. 14, in the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 3305 N. High St. Featured speaker is Amy Ford. Registration begins at 5 p.m.; dinner and program at 6 p.m. RSVP to (573) 339-2032 or director@optionsforwomencape. com.

Jackson—The Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary will host BUNCO, Sun., Nov. 2, at the Jackson KofC #6405 Upper Hall. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.; play begins at 1 p.m., pre-registration is not needed. Cost is $10/ person. Light snacks will be provided. Money raised will fund scholarship program and other organizations such as Options for Women, Birthright, Veteran’s Home, and others. For more information, contact Deena at (573) 382-1745 or jacksonkcaux@ gmail.com.

Jackson—Jackson Knights of Columbus #6405 will host a Fish & Chicken Dinner, Fri., Sept. 19 and Fri., Oct. 17, 4:30-7:30 p.m., in the lower KC Hall. Fried fish, fried chicken, fries, hushpuppies, baked beans, slaw, homemade mac & cheese, tea & lemonade. Cost$15; dine-in or carry-out available.

Jackson—Jackson Knights of Columbus #6405 will

have a Sausage & Pancake breakfast, Sun., Nov. 2, 7-11 a.m. Homemade sausage, pancakes, eggs, hashbrowns, and biscuits & gravy. Cost: free will offering with proceeds to benefit the Jackson Ministerial alliance food pantry. Taking orders for sausage—link and 1lb. bulk packaging. For information or to order, contact the KofC Hall at (573) 243-5464 or kchalljacksonmo@att.net.

Kimberling City— Our Lady of the Cove Catholic Church, will have its Fall Garage Sale, Fri., Oct.10, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., and Sat., Oct.11, 8 a.m.-Noon. Clothing, furniture, appliances, tools, and much more. Something for everyone!! For more information, call the church office at (417) 739-4700.

Leopold—St. John Parish Council of Catholic Women will host its annual Hotze Mission Breakfast, Sun., Oct. 19, 7:30-10:30 a.m., at the Leopold Knights of Columbus Hall. Buffet breakfast, for your good-will donation, and bake sale. All proceeds benefit the Hotze Missions, a 70-year tradition. For information, please contact Geri Geringer at (573) 208-6445.

Marshfield— Holy Trinity Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus #10844 will have its Autumn Fish Frys beginning Fri., Sept. 26; and continuing on Fri., Oct. 10, and Fri., Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m., in the parish hall. Fried and/ or baked fish, French fries, hush puppies, green beans, cole slaw, and dessert! Cost: adult—$12; child, ages 6-12 yrs.—$7; age five and under—free.

Ozark—The 2025 5K Shuffle will be held Sat., Oct. 25, at St. Joseph the Worker Church. Registration begins at 8 a.m.; race at 9 a.m. Enjoy a FREE pancake breakfast after the run, courtesy of the Knights of Columbus! Cost is $30 per person; for groups of 10 or more, the rate is discounted to $20 per person. For additional information and sign up: https:// runsignup.com/Race/Info/MO/ Ozark/AllSaints5kShuffle

Sikeston— The Women of St. Francis Xavier Parish will have its annual (40+ years!) Chili & Soup Day, Fri., Nov. 14, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., in the school gymnasium. Chili & soup, dessert, and drink for $10.

Springfield Praise & Worship Night is a great opportunity to come together in praise,

fellowship, and a wonderful way to learn more about our faith. This group meets every Thursday, 6:30-8 p.m., in the chapel at St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Parish, located at 2200 W. Republic Rd. All are welcome to participate! For more information, contact Shelly Pichler at (417) 838-2730.

Springfield—The annual Friends of the Poor Walk, benefitting area St. Vincent de Paul societies will be held Sat., Sept. 27—the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Agnes Cathedral. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., walk at 9 a.m. There is a one-mile walk for the relaxed and fun-loving walker, & a three-mile walk for the serious and experienced walker. Start and finish in the parking lot, rear of the building. The Friends of the Poor Walk is a unique fundraising effort that allows community members from all walks of life across the country to participate in a simultaneous, nationwide event to raise greater awareness of the challenges faced by the nation’s people in need and to raise funds for use in direct service to people in poverty. Funds raised locally will be used locally. Please join us for this fun event! Your support is much needed at this time.

Springfield—St. Agnes Cathedral will hold its annual Holiday Market, Sat., Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sun., Nov. 2, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m., in the school gymnasium, located at The Catholic Center next door. There will be a variety of crafts and other products for sale. Space is still available for new vendors! Share your talents: homemade items, crafts, and much more. Electricity is available, for more information, or to reserve your table, contact Judy at (641) 751-6632 or judyhauschildt@ gmail.com.

Springfield—Holy Trinity Parish Council of Catholic Women is planning its Fall Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 8 and Sun., Nov. 9. For more information, please contact Mary Tilton at marymtilton@gmail.com.

Springfield—St. Elizabeth Ann Seton PCCW will hold its annual Fall Bazaar, Sat., Nov. 1, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun., Nov. 2, 8 a.m.-1 p.m., in the SEAS pavilion and the gymnasium, located to the west of the main building. Come see us: we have many returning vendors as well as new vendors!

Parishes and organizations are invited to submit notices of future events to be printed on a space-available basis. There is no fee

Former St. Louis auxiliary bishop installed as Mobile’s

new shepherd

By Rob Herbst Mobile, AL

About 45 years later, the trade between the Archdiocese of St. Louis and Archdiocese of Mobile is complete.

Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso, a former auxiliary bishop of St. Louis, was installed as the third archbishop of Mobile Sept. 3 in the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

Archbishop Rivituso, 63, was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Louis by Archbishop John L. May, who previously served as bishop of Mobile.

While Archbishop Rivituso expressed gratitude for his new assignment on the Gulf Coast, he learned from Archbishop May’s tenure to pray for good weather.

“I don’t know if it’s fact, fiction, or embellishment … but it was told to me during (Archbishop May’s) time in Mobile that the area suffered the devastation of a hurricane. Immediately after that, John L. May was appointed to the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The saying goes, ‘One hurricane and you’re gone,” Archbishop Rivituso joked at the closing of Mass.

“I’m asking a special request to not only pray for me,” he continued, “but pray with me for the protection from all hurricanes to the Archdiocese of Mobile, because I do not want to relocate.”

Archbishop May was appointed as archbishop of St. Louis in January 1980, four months after Hurricane Frederic hit Mobile.

However, weather was no issue on this September sun-soaked day. About 700 people filled the cathedral for Mass, including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, papal nuncio to the United States, along with about 25 visiting bishops and archbishops. Those in attendance included Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis, Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans as well as Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight of Kansas City, KS, and Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger of Detroit, who were both installed archbishops earlier this year.

Those unable to sit in the cathedral watched the Mass via Livestream at the nearby Saenger Theatre in downtown Mobile.

Archbishop Rivituso succeeds Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, who served the Archdiocese of Mobile for 17 years. Archbishop Rivituso is the 10th bishop of Mobile and third archbishop of Mobile, dating back to 1829.

While Archbishop Rivituso was installed to lead the Archdiocese of Mobile, he expressed his desire for the faithful to work alongside him in sharing the love of Jesus to all in the southern half of Alabama.

“I am installed as shepherd of the Church in the Archdiocese of Mobile, but I acknowledge humbly my need for the faithful to be one with Jesus, be one with me as we show the shepherding love and care of Christ to all in this local church,” Archbishop Rivituso said during his homily.

BULL

Cardinal Pierre—a proud Frenchman—opened the Mass and Archbishop Rodi then spoke briefly about the history of Mobile, which was the first permanent French colonial settlement in the US.

But before publicly reading the papal bull in which Pope Leo XIV appointed Archbishop Rivituso, Cardinal Pierre deadpanned with a finger wag: “Rivituso … he is not French.”

However, he added, “Congratulations on the blessing you have received from the Providence of God and by the choice of Pope Leo to become the Archbishop of Mobile. May your service to the people here, with special care to those who are poor, the suffering, or in a special need of the Church’s accompaniment and work of mercy to be a continuing sign of the hope with which God

RIVITUSO INSTALLED IN MOBILE—Students from Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School took a selfie with Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso following his installation Mass in the Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Mobile, AL, Sept. 3, 2025. Archbishop Rivituso was previously the auxiliary bishop in St. Louis. (OSV News

blesses us.”

Upon accepting the apostolic mandate, Archbishop Rivituso presented it to the archdiocese’s college of consultors and walked through the cathedral’s three aisles to show the congregation.

After displaying the papal bull, Cardinal Pierre and Archbishop Rodi escorted Archbishop Rivituso to the cathedra. Archbishop Rodi handed the new archbishop his crosier. Archbishop Rivituso then greeted various archdiocesan dignitaries before the Mass proceeded.

CHRIST’S SHEPHERDING LOVE & CARE

The Gospel reading chosen was Luke 22:24-30 in which Jesus says, “I am among you as the one who serves,” and Archbishop Rivituso stressed in his homily the need to serve all.

“We are brothers and sisters and Christ calls us to be Christ for one another,” Archbishop Rivituso said.

“I am excited to be your shepherd,” he said, “working alongside you as we show forth Christ’s shepherding care and love for all—and being especially mindful to reach out with Christ’s shepherding love and care to the poor and the homeless; to reach out

Dillard, courtesy Archdiocese of Mobile)

with Christ’s shepherding care to our immigrant brothers and sisters in their own fears and anxieties; to be with all those who are imprisoned and on death row and show the comfort of the Lord and show a redemption in the Lord.”

He added, “With the rich history in this archdiocese of civil rights, (I am excited) to build upon the witness of those who advanced civil rights by fostering racial harmony and to be a shepherding, caring church of Jesus. (I look forward to being) present to those who feel forsaken, those who feel forgotten, those who are marginalized, those who are on the peripheries of society.”

Archbishop Rivituso also acknowledged that while many are suffering today, the faithful must remember the words from the Mass’s second reading, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2, 5-7.

“We live in very challenging times. I know many feel disconnected from one another. It is good to hear the word of God through St. Paul today— ‘We are not discouraged.’ We are ministers of hope.”

©The Catholic Week, OSV News

Rob Herbst is editor of The Catholic Week, the news outlet of the Archdiocese of Mobile. This story was originally published by The Catholic Week and distributed through a partnership with OSV News.

DURING THIS EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL, FR. DAVID COON OFFERS THE FOLLOWING QUOTE FOR THE REFLECTION ON THE EUCHARIST:

“Jesus, You come to me and unite Yourself intimately to me in the form of nourishment. Your Blood now runs in mine, Your Soul, Incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such?”

—ST. MAXIMILIAN KOLBE

Father Coon is Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Dexter. He serves the Diocese as Priest Minister for Spiritual Deliverance & Exorcism and the Confraternity of Priest Adorers of the Eucharistic Face of Jesus.

POPE LEO XIV APPOINTS REV. RALPH O’DONNELL AS BISHOP OF JEFFERSON CITY

Washington

PTodd named semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program

Springfield, MO

ope Leo XIV has appointed Reverend Ralph O’Donnell, as Bishop of Jefferson City. Father O’Donnell is a priest of the Archdiocese of Omaha and currently serves as pastor of Saint Margaret Mary parish in Omaha, Nebraska. The appointment was publicized in Washington, D.C. on August 19, 2025, by Monsignor Većeslav Tumir, chargé d’ affaires, a.i., of the Apostolic Nunciature, in the temporary absence of Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s episcopal consecration and installation as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City will be Tue., Oct. 28, 2025.

The following biographical information for Bishop-elect O’Donnell:

Father O’Donnell was born August 31, 1969, in Omaha, NE, the 10th and youngest child of Mary Jane and the late Terrance O’Donell. He grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, where the family home was next door to the church and school grounds. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1987.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell studied at Conception Seminary

College in Conception, MO (19891993) and Mundelein Seminary in Mundelein, IL (1993-1997). He received a bachelor’s degree in religion from Conception Seminary College (1993), a master of divinity from University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein (1997), and a master’s degree in Christian spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha, NE (2000). Father O’Donnell was ordained to the priesthood on June 7, 1997.

Bishop-elect O’Donnell’s assignments after ordination include: associate pastor, Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha (19972001); associate pastor, Saint Vincent de Paul Parish in Omaha (2001-2003); director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Omaha (2003-2008); pastor, Saint Brigit Parish and Saint Rose Parish in Omaha (2008-2011); director of the permanent diaconate for the Archdiocese of Omaha (2008-2009); vice rector and dean for formation at Conception Seminary College in Conception (2011-2015); and executive director for the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) (20152019). Since 2019, he has served as pastor of Saint Margaret Mary Parish in Omaha.

The Diocese of Jefferson City is comprised of 22,127 square miles in the State of Missouri and has a total population of 926,905 of which 74,413 are Catholic. ©TM

Join Bishop Rice on the First Friday of each month to pray for an increase in Vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. The Rosary will be prayed following the liturgy. Parishes are invited to do the same as we continue to pray for more vocations to the priesthood and religious life in the diocese.

Springfield Catholic High School is pleased to announce that Christopher Todd, senior, has been recognized as a Semifinalist in the 2026 National Merit® Scholarship Program. Earning Semifinalist status, among some 16,000 students in the country, is an outstanding accomplishment and represents the first step in the highly-competitive process toward becoming a National Merit Scholar next spring. To advance, Semifinalists

must meet additional requirements to achieve Finalist standing, which is necessary to be considered for Merit Scholarship® awards.

We extend our sincere congratulations to Christopher on this remarkable achievement and wish him continued success as he advances in the competition. ©TM

PRAYER FOR GENUINE PEACE IN THE HOLY LAND

Washington

I“slam, Judaism, and Christianity all share the same message of peace and respect for human life and dignity. This is the foundation for peace,” said Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and asked for people to join the Holy Father in prayer for genuine peace in the Holy Land.

Archbishop Broglio’s full statement follows:

“Recently, in a meeting with the President of Israel, Pope Leo XIV expressed hope that negotiations regarding the war in Gaza will resume, that hostages will be released, and a permanent ceasefire take place to avoid further suffering and death. I ask for people across our country to join the Holy Father in prayer for genuine peace in the Holy Land. All people of goodwill must actively pursue a peace that will

ensure the massacre of October 7th and the subsequent destruction and suffering that followed in Gaza will never occur again. It must also include ending the expansion of settlements and ideas of forced deportation. The Palestinian People have a right to autonomy. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity all share the same message of peace and respect for human life and dignity. This is the foundation for peace. The parties involved, the Israeli Government, the people of Gaza, and the international community must work to that end. And it begins with an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the restoration of life-saving aid.” ©TM

BACK TO SCHOOL AROUND THE DIOCESE!

The 2025-26 academic session has opened in the 26 diocesan Catholic schools of southern Missouri, which includes three high schools.

“... It is through [Catholic educators’] dedicated service to the educational ministry of the Church that Catholic schools continue to provide the nation with an education model rooted in the recognition of the inherent dignity of every person. Our schools focus not only on academic excellence but also on the spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth of students, with the goal of not only the flourishing of each individual, but also their ultimate salvation. Catholic schools nurture humility, wisdom, and virtue, guiding students to recognize and embrace what is true, good, and beautiful. This education empowers them to live lives of service to God and others, offering a freedom that only Christ can provide,” Bishop David O’Connell, CM, Chairman, USCCB Committee on Catholic Education.

Please pray for the peace and safety and JOY of our students, faculties, staff, pastors, and principals.

ST. MARY’S PUMPKIN PATCH 2025, OCT. 4-31

Pierce City, MO

Parishioners at St. Mary Catholic Church, Pierce City, are excitedly making plans for its 2nd annual Pumpkin Patch ... and gourds... and homemade blackberry jelly and apple butter.

Everyone is welcome to come out and support this fun, fall fundraiser. Some of the projects the 2024 Pumpkin Patch helped fund included: Purchased basketballs for the gymnasium to replace worn out balls that our kids have used for years; provided an additional storage cabinet for PSR teachers to better organize their supplies; purchased a projector, laminator, and other supplies

for the PSR program; provided the funds for the November Parish Outreach dinner; provided the funds for the Outreach committee for the chili supper for the January Parish Trivia Night; funded half the cost (fees & hotel) to send 25 youth and adult volunteers to the Spring DYC in West Plains; funded half of the cost (fees & hotel) for seven to attend summer Steubenville Youth Conference in Springfield; Provided the funds for the Outreach committee to prepare Fr. Rehrauer’s farewell / retirement party and the welcome party for our new pastor; and purchased First Time Visitor packets for people coming to Mass at St. Mary Parish. ©TM

DUCHESS OF KENT, A ROYAL WHO CHOSE FAITH AND SERVICE, DIES AT 92

President Nelson Mandela walked with Britain’s Duchess of Kent in this Reuters archival photo. The Catholic Church in England is mourning the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent, a senior royal remembered for her deep faith, charity work, and humility. She died Sept. 4 at Kensington Palace, surrounded by family, at the age of 92. Cardinal Vincent Nichols recalled her “lifetime of public service” and her devotion to Lourdes pilgrimages, the homeless, and suicide prevention. The duchess, who married Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, in 1961, became a Catholic in 1994—the first British royal to do so since the 17th century. Known simply as “Mrs. Kent” during her years teaching music at a primary school in Hull, she preferred a quiet life of service to public royal duties. Buckingham Palace said King Charles, Queen Camilla, and the wider Royal Family join the Duke of Kent in mourning her loss. A requiem Mass will be celebrated Sept. 16 at Westminster Cathedral, followed by burial at Windsor. Throughout her life, she was an advocate for children’s musical education, but was also an outspoken pro-life advocate, after losing two of her children, one stillborn and one when she was advised to abort her baby as she contracted measles during her pregnancy.

CURSILLO WEEKENDS

UPCOMING WOMEN’S WEEKEND :

Oct. 9-12, 2025 Carthage, MO

SCAN QR CODE for upcoming dates and more info!

The Cursillo® Movement pursues two purposes or objectives. The immediate purpose is to provide a conduit for living what is fundamental for being a Christian, namely, the on-going and total conversion of the person. The end purpose is to vertebrae Christianity in society by means of these persons who live what is fundamental for being Christian (the love of God and neighbor) in their daily lives.

Simply explained, the purpose of the Cursillo Movement is that we become the Good News, and that our actions naturally turn out to be evangelical in our daily lives.

October 4, 2025 begins with Holy Sacrifice of the Mass 7:30 am

DIOCESAN NEWS/ADVERTISING

OBITUARY // Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos

The Diocese of Jefferson City is mourning the death of Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos, who served as the third bishop of the diocese from 1997 through his retirement in 2017. He died September 6, 2025, at the age of 82, in St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood, MO. May he rest in peace.

A native of St. Louis, Bishop Gaydos guided the Catholic Church in central and northeastern Missouri through significant change while advancing its mission of evangelization, charitable outreach, and pastoral care.

“Bishop Gaydos served this diocese with a shepherd’s care, a tireless work ethic, and an unwavering trust in the Holy Spirit,” said Monsignor Robert A. Kurwicki, Diocesan Administrator. “His leadership strengthened our parishes and deepened our outreach to those in need. Even in challenging times, he pointed us toward hope, always reminding us that God’s mercy is greater than any obstacle. We give thanks for his decades of faithful service and for the countless lives touched by his ministry.”

Born Aug. 14, 1943, to George and Carrie (Lee) Gaydos, Bishop Gaydos grew up in the Benton Park neighborhood of St. Louis, attending St. Agnes School. Ordained a priest in St. Peter’s Basilica in 1968, he served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles in the Archdiocese of St. Louis before his 1997 appointment by Pope St. John Paul II as Bishop of Jefferson City.

During his episcopacy, Bishop Gaydos oversaw the creation of Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri, the opening of Fr. Tolton Regional Catholic High School in

Columbia, the construction of the Alphonse J. Schwartze Memorial Catholic Center, and the strengthening of permanent deacon formation. He welcomed a new wave of missionary priests from around the world to serve in the diocese, expanded Hispanic ministry, and encouraged parishes to be more welcoming to newcomers, immigrants, and the marginalized.

His episcopal motto, With a Shepherd’s Care, reflected his commitment to pastoral ministry.

Bishop Gaydos retired in 2017 but remained active in his service to the diocese. In 2024, he moved to St. Agnes Home in Kirkwood.

Bishop Emeritus John Raymond Gaydos

The wake and visitation will be on Mon., Sept. 15, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph with a Vigil Service and prayers at 7 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tue., Sept. 16, in the Cathedral of St. Joseph, with Metropolitan Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis presiding and Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas of Omaha, NE, preaching the homily.

The funeral will also be live-streamed Online at facebook.com/diojeffcity

Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri. ©TM

Prices are all inclusive w/airfare from anywhere in the continental US.

Several trips to different destinations: Holy Land, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Lourdes & Fatima, Ireland & Scotland and much more...

We specialize in custom trips for Bishops, Priests & Deacons!

Currently hiring Deacons to promote our many pilgrimages. ATTRACTIVE compensation.

For more information contact: Karen@proximotravel.com

To register call 855-842-8001 or at www.proximotravel.com.

By Maria Wiering Cincinnati, OH

Eight centuries ago, St. Francis of Assisi composed a poem that remains familiar today, inspiring hymns, art, and the titles of two of Pope Francis’ documents on integral ecology.

“The Canticle of the Creatures” includes tributes to “Brother Sun,” “Sister Moon and Stars,” “Brother Wind” and “Sister Water,” all of whom give glory to God, their creator. Though perhaps less cited, it also praises “Sister Death.”

With the poem’s vivid imagery, what is not apparent is that St. Francis composed it a year before his death in 1226 around age 44, in weakened health and losing his sight. Despite his physical condition, he was believed to have been granted a great spiritual grace: the ability to see the world, including creation, in its redeemed form, elevated by the Incarnation.

DIOCESAN NEWS/ADULT FAITH

SEASON OF CREATION Sept. 1– Oct. 4

Saint Francis composed this song of praise in 1225, and it is considered the first poem in vernacular Italian.

STATUE ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI—A hunter’s moon rises behind a statue of St. Francis of Assisi on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, WI. The Church marks the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi on Oct. 4. (OSV News photo/Sam Lucero, CNS)

Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si” takes its name and inspiration from Saint Francis’ work.

The title means “Praise Be to You” in medieval Italian, a phrase that is repeated throughout the Canticle.

The Canticle of the Sun

Most High, all-powerful, good Lord, Yours are the praises, the glory, the honor, and all blessings.

To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no man is worthy to mention Your name.

Praised be You, my Lord, with all your creatures; especially Brother Sun, who is the day, and through whom You give us light.

And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, and bears a likeness to You, Most High One.

The Franciscan order is celebrating the 800th anniversary of “The Canticle of the Creatures” throughout 2025. Meanwhile, the Church is marking the annual Season of Creation Sept. 1-Oct. 4, St. Francis’ feast day.

The “Canticle” is often

misunderstood “as a nice little ditty about ‘how beautiful is the sun, is the moon,’” said Franciscan Fr. Murray Bodo, a poet and author deeply inspired by St. Francis. He said the poem ultimately goes much deeper than that and “is about the growth of an individual into what we could call holiness, someone who is transformed into an intimate and beautiful love of people and of God.” ©OSV News

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars; in heaven You formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Wind, and through the air, cloudy and serene, and every kind of weather through which You give sustenance to Your creatures.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Water, which is very useful and humble and precious and chaste.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night; and he is beautiful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Mother Earth, who sustains us and governs us and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who give pardon for Your love, and bear infirmity and tribulation. Blessed are those who endure in peace for by You, Most High, they shall be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily Death, from whom no living man can escape.

Woe to those who die in mortal sin. Blessed are those whom death will find in Your most holy will, for the second death shall do them no harm.

Praise and bless my Lord, and give Him thanks, and serve Him with great humility. Amen.