Today, May 1st is a holiday in Rome and the Vatican to mark the feast of St. Joseph, the Worker. So, all the Vatican Offices are closed, meaning, there will be no meetings today.
However, the Region XIII Bishops will gather for another working session at 10:00 am to further refine our thoughts in order to lead to fruitful discussions in our time with each of the dicasteries.

For each group of bishops making their ad limina visit, there are three receptions.  Today, the American Graduate House of Studies, the Casa Santa Maria, will host us for lunch.  Also a part of each group’s visit are five Masses at the various major basilicas in Rome.  Today our group will celebrate Mass at Saint Mary Major.  I was told years ago that the gold that guilds the ceiling of this church was a gift to the church … the gold was from a newly discovered territory… America.

On this feast of St. Joseph, we remember the dignity of the human person, and the particular dignity of human labor.  We pray for those who are unemployed or those who labor in oppressive conditions.  We seek the intercession of St. Joseph who was entrusted with the care of the Holy Family, that he may continue to watch over the Church, our Mother, and lead us to the Son of the Father.

With continued prayers from the Eternal City,

+pde

0