Weekly Letter from the Pastor

Dear Fellow Parishioners of St. Benedict:

This weekend we observe the Solemnity of the Martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul. The co-patrons of Rome and pillars of the church, these two great apostles bore witness to the nascent Christian faith in Rome through their executions at the hands of the Romans. Peter was crucified -- upside down, as he was not worthy to die in the same manner as did Jesus -- at the Circus Vaticanus around the years 67-69. His remains are today under the altar of the great basilica that bears his name. Saint Paul was beheaded, within the same time frame, on the Via Appia in accord with his status as a Roman citizen, and is buried in the crypt of St. Paul Outside the Walls (of Rome) just off the Appian Way in Rome. His remains were only rediscovered there in the past thirty years. The red vestments we wear this weekend are in commemoration of their martyrdom.

This week we celebrate our American heritage and freedom as we observe Independence Day. In a divided nation, this day should bring together a deep sense of our shared heritage, hopes, and dreams. Whether we are descendants of the pilgrims on the Mayflower, or we are new to this country, we pursue the quest for freedom, and the recognition of the fundamental rights of all humanity. Fifty-six members of the Second Continental Congress signed their names to a document which reads in part: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.” Next year we will observe the 250th anniversary of the adoption of this Declaration of Independence, so let us all commit ourselves to living and committing ourselves to that which they pledged: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Blessings for a safe holiday week for everyone. Enjoy your travels, and hopefully we find some nice summer weather when all is said and done.

Blessings,
Fr Garry