Author Archives: Joseph Kopacz

“Peregrinación Penitencial” y Sínodo sobre Sinodalidad: perdón, sanación, reconciliación y esperanza

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Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
La visita apostólica del Papa Francisco a Canadá, durante la última semana de julio, fue autodescrita como “peregrinación penitencial.” La misma fue dada al servicio del perdón, sanación, reconciliación, esperanza y vida nueva para los Pueblos Indígenas de las Primeras Naciones, Metis y Pueblos Inuit que sufrieron mucho, durante casi un siglo y medio, en las escuelas residenciales de todo Canadá. Lo que ocurrió en estas escuelas fueron políticas gubernamentales con las que, la Iglesia Católica y otras denominaciones cristianas colaboraron.

Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz

La Comisión de la Verdad y Reconciliación de Canadá escuchó más de 7000 testimonios de exalumnos de escuelas residenciales en Canadá “…que recordaron con doloroso detalle la forma en que se suprimió nuestro idioma, se nos arrebató nuestra cultura, se denigro nuestra espiritualidad y se desgarraron nuestras familias,” según el jefe Wilton Littlechild, uno de los miembros de la Comisión.

Al inicio de la peregrinación, el Papa Francisco entró de lleno en la caldera de dolor que aflige hoy la memoria y la vida de los indígenas. “Los efectos generales de las políticas vinculadas a las escuelas residenciales fueron catastróficos. Nuestra fe cristiana nos dice que esto fue un error nefasto, incompatible con el Evangelio de Jesucristo… Humildemente pido perdón por el mal cometido por tantos cristianos contra pueblos indígenas.”

“Queridos hermanos y hermanas, muchos de vosotros habéis dicho que pedir perdón no es el fin del asunto. Estoy completamente de acuerdo en que es solo el primer paso, el punto de partida para ayudar a los sobrevivientes de las escuelas residenciales a experimentar la sanación de los traumas que sufrieron.”

Un tema constante, a lo largo de sus visitas apostólicas, homilías y discursos, fue el poder reconciliador de la Cruz y la Resurrección, el único poder en la tierra que puede traer sanación duradera y esperanza en la vida de las víctimas.

“Ante el mal, roguemos al Señor del bien; ante la muerte, roguemos al Dios de la vida. Nuestro Señor Jesucristo tomó una tumba que parecía el lugar de sepultura de toda esperanza y sueño, dejando solo tristeza, dolor y resignación. Hizo de ella un lugar de renacimiento y resurrección, el comienzo de una historia de vida nueva y de reconciliación universal. Nuestros propios esfuerzos no son suficientes para lograr la curación y la reconciliación: necesitamos la gracia de Dios. Necesitamos la sabiduría serena y poderosa del Espíritu, el tierno amor del Consolador… para avanzar juntos en nuestro camino.”

La Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de los Primeros Pueblos, designada en 1991 como parroquia nacional indígena de Canadá, es también un punto de referencia para las comunidades italiana, portuguesa, española, croata y eritrea. En este lugar sagrado, el Papa Francisco reflexionó que la iglesia es la casa de la reconciliación para todos, pero la mayoría de las palabras y los hechos de reconciliación tienen lugar a nivel local, en comunidades como esta, donde las personas y las familias viajan juntas, día a día. Orar juntos, ayudarnos unos a otros, compartir historias de vida, alegrías y luchas comunes: esto es lo que abre la puerta a la obra reconciliadora de Dios.

Al proponer que la reconciliación es local, el Papa Francisco encarnó la convicción evangélica de San Pablo de que todos los creyentes son embajadores de Jesucristo y por lo tanto, ministros de la reconciliación. (2 Corintios 5) Comenzando en el corazón del creyente, el Espíritu Santo puede producir una renovación divina y una nueva creación en todos los puntos de la brújula de las relaciones humanas.
Más allá de Canadá y alcanzando los confines de la tierra, el Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad es el sueño del Papa Francisco para la iglesia y para el mundo. Siempre y donde la iglesia pueda modelar y vivir la comunión, la participación y la misión, habrá un desbordamiento que podrá ser fuente de vida, luz y amor para el mundo.

Durante el proceso del sínodo en nuestra diócesis, hubo un llamado repetido a una mayor unidad basada en el perdón, la sanación, la reconciliación y la esperanza. Ya sea que la fuente del quebrantamiento tenga sus raíces en el pecado personal, una disminución de la salud física o mental, el impacto de la pandemia o los escándalos en la iglesia, el divorcio, la sobredosis de drogas o la desesperación, como dijo el Papa Francisco en la Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón de la Primera Nación, de la Iglesia Católica universal, y cada parroquia y ministerio está destinado a ser una casa de reconciliación.

Que el Espíritu Santo despierte en nosotros el corazón y la mente de Aquel que nos saca de las tinieblas a la luz maravillosa del amor de Dios.

Statement from Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz and Bishop Louis F. Kihneman on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Dobbs. v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization

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Today, Lady Justice has turned her attention to the cry of the unborn child hidden in the refuge of his or her mother’s womb. Today, justice has not abandoned that unborn child and his or her capacity to feel pain, but there is still more work to be done.

Together with many throughout our country, we join in prayer that states are now able to protect women and children from the injustice of abortion. The Catholic Church has had a vested interest in this matter – the dignity and sanctity of all human life.

The church has a long history of service to those who are most vulnerable and remains the largest private provider of social services in the United States. Through its charity agencies, and the independent efforts of its members, the Catholic Church is supporting all women in addition to the child in the womb.
The church will continue to accompany women and couples who are facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies and during the early years of parenthood, through initiatives such as Walking with Moms in Need.

With our brother bishops, we renew our commitment to preserving the dignity and sanctity of all human life by:

• Ensuring our Catholic parishes are places of welcome for women facing challenging pregnancies or who find it difficult to care for their children after birth, so that any mother needing assistance will receive life-affirming support and be connected to appropriate programs and resources where she can get help.

• Helping fellow Catholics recognize the needs of pregnant and parenting moms in their communities, enabling parishioners to know these mothers, to listen to them and to help them obtain the necessities of life for their families.

• Being witnesses of love and life by expanding and improving the extensive network of comprehensive care including pregnancy help centers, and Catholic health care and social service agencies.

• Increasing our advocacy for laws that ensure the right to life for the unborn and that no mother or family lacks the basic resources needed to care for their children, regardless of race, age, immigration status or any other factor.

• Continuing to support and advocate for public policies and programs directed toward building up the common good and fostering integral human development, with a special concern for the needs of low-income families and immigrants.

In all of these ways and more, the Catholic Church witnesses to the sanctity of human life, from conception to natural death, and continues to work to build a culture of life in our nation.
Our respective dioceses continue to collaborate with organizations such as Her Plan, Pro-Life Mississippi and many others to bring vital services to support mothers and the unborn.

The community can immediately accompany women and couples who are facing difficult or unexpected pregnancies through the Walking with Moms in Need initiative in the Diocese of Jackson. For more information on how to get involved or offer support to women in need, please contact the Office of Family Ministry coordinator in the Diocese of Jackson at charlene.bearden@jacksondiocese.org. In the Diocese of Biloxi, contact Deacon Jim Gunkel, director of the Office of Family Ministry and Family Life at jgunkel@biloxidiocese.org or Margaret Miller, coordinator of Walking with Moms at mrmiller@biloxidiocese.org.

Additionally, there are Catholic Charities Community Outreach Centers located in the Diocese of Biloxi in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Waveland and Pascagoula. These centers provide confidential pregnancy testing; Medicaid pregnancy confirmations; life-affirming options counseling; case management (including budgeting and goal setting); basic needs assistance; car seats and safe sleeping spaces for infants; diapers formula, clothing, blankets, socks, etc.; and representative payee services. The Diocese of Biloxi is also sharing the pro-life message through its Pro-Life Billboard initiative.

The Diocese of Biloxi will also be resuming adoptions and foster parenting services in the near future, complementing existing programs in the Diocese of Jackson that have provided those services through Catholic Charities, Inc. for over a half century.

Again, we are grateful for the Supreme Court’s decision but are also mindful that the battle to uphold the sanctity of life is an ongoing effort. Let us pray and continue to raise our voices both in our churches and in our communities in defense of human dignity and justice.

The will of God isn’t rocket science

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By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The parable of the Good Samaritan, last Sunday’s Gospel from the tenth chapter of St. Luke, arose from the question asked of Jesus, “who is my neighbor.” Pope Francis often refers to this biblical masterpiece (Luke 10:25-37) as the divine image of the church’s mission in this world.
Across many lands and nations, the church does serve as a field hospital encountering and caring for those who are battered, bruised and beaten and left half dead on the side of the road.
The corporal and spiritual works of mercy are testimony to the fidelity of the church’s ministries. Jesus concluded the parable with his own question. “Who was neighbor to the man who fell in with robbers?” The answer was obvious and echoes through time, “the one who treated him with compassion.” “Go and do likewise” are the final words of Jesus addressed to the doctor of the law and to us.
The ultimate Good Samaritan, of course, is Jesus Christ who demonstrated the heart of service when he washed his disciples feet at the Last Supper. He concluded this astounding action with the mandate, “If I then your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that as I have done, so you must do.” (John 13: 14-15).

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Our Lord’s actions, teachings, and parables ultimately point to the Cross and flow from it, where in the shedding of his blood he seeks to lift up all people who are assaulted by sin and remain half dead, or half alive on the margins of life. He is the divine physician and the church is his living body in this world, led by the Holy Spirit, to give freely of the gift of the Lord’s love that we have received.” (Matthew 10:8)
Moses, the great teacher of the Old Law, spoke blatantly to the Israelites in the first scripture reading from last Sunday, a teaching in accord with the Good Samaritan narrative. “This command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you … It’s not up in the sky that you should say who will go up to the sky to get it for us. Nor is it across the sea. No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you only have to carry it out.” (Deuteronomy 30:10-14)
To apply a well-known and likely over-used modern rendering of Moses’ words, the will of God is not rocket science, fellas; rather it is patient, kind and persevering and secured in the Lord’s instructions “to love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)
As an aside, at this time one million miles from earth, after a six-month journey, the James Webb telescope is spreading its wings to probe into the depths of the universe, past and present, in ways hitherto impossible to imagine. Women and men will take another giant step forward to unfold the mysteries of God’s creation, because this telescope, 25 years in the making, is 100 times more powerful than the Hubble telescope which ruled the roost since 1990, but only 340 miles above the earth’s surface.
Telescopes are absolutely essential to explore the mysteries of the physical universe, and it’s exciting to anticipate the pending discoveries. But they have no worth when exploring the mind and heart of Christ. As Moses said, we don’t have to go up into the sky to discover the will of God for our lives. We know it; we only have to carry it out.
On this weekend at our Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle, we will celebrate Christ the Servant with the ordination of six men to the permanent diaconate who will serve in various parishes throughout our diocese. Specifically, the ministry of the deacon is a labor of loving service at the table of the Word of God, at the Altar of Sacrifice, and at the table of charity or compassion in daily life. The heart and soul of the diaconate is the call to make visible the love of Christ.
We give thanks to God for the deacons, spouses and families who have sacrificed these past five years in preparation for this ministry that has its roots in the apostolic life of the early church. But let us keep in mind that we are all called to fulfill our baptismal promises, the call to holiness, and the Lord’s mandatum to serve with his mind and heart because the risen Lord is in our midst “as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
The ugliness of this world regularly gets the headlines, and well before and during our Lord’s time, there were robbers and muggers around, but then and now we give thanks for the Good Samaritans of our lives who are vigilant in their care for others. May the Lord strengthen our resolve to be a light in the darkness at every turn in the road.

La voluntad de Dios no es ciencia espacial

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Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
La parábola del Buen Samaritano, evangelio del domingo pasado del capítulo 10 de San Lucas, surge de la pregunta que se le hace a Jesús: “¿quién es mi prójimo?” El Papa Francisco a menudo se refiere a esta obra maestra bíblica (Lucas 10:25-37) como la imagen divina de la misión de la iglesia en este mundo.
En muchos países y naciones, la iglesia sirve como un hospital de campaña que encuentra y atiende a aquellos que son maltratados, magullados, golpeados y dejados medio muertos al lado del camino.
Las obras de misericordia corporales y espirituales son testimonio de la fidelidad de los ministerios de la iglesia. Jesús concluyó la parábola con su propia pregunta. “ ¿cuál de esos tres te parece que se hizo prójimo del hombre asaltado por los bandidos? La respuesta fue obvia y resuena a través del tiempo, “El que tuvo compasión de él”. “Pues ve y haz tú lo mismo.” son las últimas palabras de Jesús dirigidas al doctor de la ley y a nosotros.

Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz

El último Buen Samaritano, por supuesto, es Jesucristo, quien demostró el corazón de servicio cuando lavó los pies de sus discípulos en la Última Cena. Concluyó esta asombrosa acción con el mandato: “Pues si yo, el Maestro y Señor, les he lavado a ustedes los pies, también ustedes deben lavarse los pies unos a otros. 15 Yo les he dado un ejemplo, para que ustedes hagan lo mismo que yo les he hecho.” (Juan 13:14-15)
Las acciones, enseñanzas y parábolas de nuestro Señor apuntan en última instancia a la Cruz y fluyen de ella, donde en el derramamiento de su sangre busca levantar a todas las personas que son asaltadas por el pecado y quedan medio muertas, o medio vivas en los márgenes de la vida. Él es el médico divino y la iglesia es su cuerpo vivo en este mundo, guiada por el Espíritu Santo, para dar gratuitamente del don del amor del Señor que hemos recibido. “Sanen a los enfermos, resuciten a los muertos, limpien de su enfermedad a los leprosos y expulsen a los demonios. Ustedes recibieron gratis este poder; no cobren tampoco por emplearlo. “(Mateo 10:8)


Moisés, el gran maestro de la Ley Antigua, habló descaradamente a los israelitas en la primera lectura de las Escrituras del domingo pasado, enseñando de acuerdo con la narración del Buen Samaritano. “Este mandamiento que hoy les doy no es demasiado difícil para ustedes, ni está fuera de su alcance. No está en el cielo, para que se diga: ‘¿Quién puede subir al cielo por nosotros, para que nos lo traiga y nos lo dé a conocer, y lo pongamos en práctica?’ Tampoco está del otro lado del mar, para que se diga: ‘¿Quién cruzará el mar por nosotros, para que nos lo traiga y nos lo dé a conocer? Al contrario, el mandamiento está muy cerca de ustedes; está en sus labios y en su pensamiento, para que puedan cumplirlo. (Deuteronomio 30:10-14)


Para aplicar una interpretación moderna muy conocida y probablemente usada en exceso de las palabras de Moisés, la voluntad de Dios no es ciencia espacial, amigos; más bien es paciente, bondadosa y perseverante y segura en las instrucciones del Señor de “amarnos unos a otros como yo los he amado”. (Juan 13:34)


Aparte, en este momento a un millón de millas de la Tierra, después de un viaje de seis meses, el telescopio James Webb está extendiendo sus alas para sondear las profundidades del universo, pasado y presente, en formas hasta ahora imposibles de imaginar. Las mujeres y los hombres darán otro gran paso adelante para revelar los misterios de la creación de Dios, porque este telescopio, que lleva 25 años fabricándose, es 100 veces más potente que el telescopio Hubble, que gobernó desde 1990, pero a solo 340 millas sobre la superficie terrestre.


Los telescopios son absolutamente esenciales para explorar los misterios del universo físico y es emocionante anticipar los descubrimientos pendientes. Pero no valen nada cuando exploran la mente y el corazón de Cristo. Como dijo Moisés, no tenemos que subir al cielo para descubrir la voluntad de Dios para nuestras vidas. Lo sabemos; solo tenemos que llevarlo a cabo.


Este fin de semana en nuestra Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol, celebraremos a Cristo Siervo con la ordenación de seis hombres al diaconado permanente que servirán en varias parroquias de nuestra diócesis. Específicamente, el ministerio del diácono es una labor de servicio amoroso en la mesa de la Palabra de Dios, en el Altar del Sacrificio y en la mesa de la caridad o compasión en la vida diaria. El corazón y el alma del diaconado es el llamado a hacer visible el amor de Cristo.


Damos gracias a Dios por los diáconos, cónyuges y familias que se han sacrificado estos últimos cinco años en preparación para este ministerio que tiene sus raíces en la vida apostólica de la iglesia primitiva. Pero tengamos en cuenta que todos estamos llamados a cumplir nuestras promesas bautismales, el llamado a la santidad y el mandato del Señor de servir con la mente y el corazón porque el Señor resucitado está en medio de nosotros “como el que sirve”. (Lucas 22:27)


La fealdad de este mundo ocupa regularmente los titulares, y mucho antes y durante el tiempo de nuestro Señor, había ladrones y asaltantes, pero entonces y ahora damos gracias a los buenos samaritanos de nuestras vidas que están atentos al cuidado de los demás. Que el Señor fortalezca nuestra determinación de ser una luz en la oscuridad en cada recodo del camino.

Saltillo Mission trip brings joyous adventure

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Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The return after three years to our Saltillo Mission was a high-spirited and joyful adventure after nearly three years since the previous visit for the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Father Patrick Quinn’s missionary work in 1969. But many of you know of this pastoral visit through the social media networks of the Diocese of Jackson and the Diocese of Biloxi. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then you have already enjoyed multiple portrayals of the whirlwind of four days. It is amazing to consider the high volume of activity that occurs in such a compact timeframe. It can be exhausting and exhilarating over every bump on the road.

Let me digress a moment to treasure the source of the spiritual bond that continues to thrive between Mississippi and Saltillo even in the absence of overland mission trips.

In our Catholic world we are in the midst of celebrating the golden triangle of exceptional Solemnities beginning with Pentecost Sunday and the culmination of the Easter season, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, and the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord.

The gift of the Holy Spirit received in faith and celebrated uniquely at Pentecost opens up a world of mystery with our God who is love, the Holy Trinity of persons who overflowed in love in the gifts of creation and salvation. The celebration of Corpus Christi continues this outpouring of love poured out on the Cross and commemorated and lived each time we gather for Mass, the holy Eucharist.

The three feasts together reveal the nature of love within the Trinity which manifests itself in Christian community, unity, communion and fraternity in the Body of Christ throughout the world bonded by one faith, one baptism, one God who is Father who is over all and in all. Thus, the joy of solidarity and unity can overflow with every liturgy, with every fiesta, with every meal and with every conversation in all parts of our world.

From this fountain of faith, hope and love, we all cherish the history of these past 53 years, the memory of Father Quinn, and all who have given of themselves, from here and over there, whether for years or for weeks.

The Sacrament of Confirmation with 80 candidates was the culminating liturgy with Bishop Hilario Gonzales Garcia, the recently installed Ordinary of the Diocese of Saltillo. It was heartening to concelebrate with him around the altar, and to spend time at table afterwards.

One year into his episcopal ministry and he already has experienced the blessings of the relationship that Jackson and Biloxi have with his diocese. He fully supports what we are doing and hopes that we will accompany one another well into the future. We all hope that the day will come when the overland mission trips are able to resume, enabling the a new generation of Mississippi Catholics to be missionary disciples, evangelizing and being evangelized by our Mexican brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Amidst the many grace-filled moments, meals and ministries from Monday to Thursday evening’s Confirmation, there were various signature events. On Tuesday we celebrated the Sacrament of Confirmation two hours out at Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Garambullo and then bounced back to a special liturgy at San Miguel’s that honored all fathers in attendance with a special blessing as the Mariachis played and sang full throated and unsparingly.

Afterwards, a fiesta followed honoring the young people who raised the most money for their individual parish communities. Various groups of entertainers, mostly young, performed splendidly in song, dance and gesture in a religious and cultural festival. Que Buena noche!

Wednesday saw another memorable event unfold before us in amazement. In route to St. Pedro’s for the Sacrament of Confirmation we gathered at St. Joseph’s Chapel which was dedicated three years ago on the last pastoral visit. After prayer and blessings, cars and trucks were organized into a procession that grew into a ‘flotilla on the road’ to San Pedro. You have seen some of the photos, and the entire experience was as joyful as it looked. The fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit were in abundance at the Confirmation that followed.

On Thursday prior to the Confirmation Bishop Kihneman and I, along with the other pilgrims from Jackson and Biloxi, visited the tomb of Father Quinn in the Church of Perpetuo Socorro. Over the past year the back walls of the church above his tomb have been covered with the photos that provide a panorama of the events, the people and the places of the Father Quinn years. It is well done and very touching.

While I stood there in admiration, I felt so grateful to have a part in this amazing story whose chapters are still being written, and to represent the faithful of our diocese who further the mission through prayer and generosity.

Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of San Miguel, the cornerstone parish of the mission since Father Quinn’s death, and the dates are on the calendar for the September 2023 anniversary celebration. Stay tuned!

Bishop Louis Kihnemann of Biloxi, Father David Martinez, pastor of San Miguel Mission and Bishop Joseph Kopacz wave during a procession on the road to San Pedro. (Photo Terry Dickson/Diocese of Biloxi)

Rally around the call to accompany expectant mothers

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By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
As Catholics we are in the midst of a nine-day Novena undertaken by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in preparation for the great feast of the Visitation on May 31. This second joyful mystery of the rosary recalls that tender scene when Mary and Elizabeth, two of the most well-known pregnant women in world history, encountered one another with unbounded joy in God their Savior. Even the “baby stirred in my womb for joy” Elizabeth exclaimed to her younger cousin who had arrived at Zachariah and Elizabeth’s doorstep to assist her who was in her sixth month with the unborn John the Baptist. Women helping women in preparation for birth and in the months following the emergence of new life from the womb into the light of day, is fundamental for family life, community, and civilization.

The need for caring support around a pregnancy and the earliest stage of life is fundamental for mothers and their infants, for family life, communities, and ultimately civilization. There are many in our churches and in our communities in Mississippi who rally around the call to accompany expectant mothers, and in the time following the birth of their children. We can only rejoice to see such loving support. For the Catholic Church, as the whole world knows, the right to life is fundamental because we are made in the image and likeness of God (Imago Dei). The dignity of the human person is rooted in this fundamental belief.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

What the whole world may not know, or chooses to ignore, is that the church commits herself, in season and out of season, to the well-being of the human person at every stage of life. This is evident in our social teachings that foster the common good, serve the poor, marginalized and vulnerable, champion health care, sponsor education, and support life’s basic needs: food, shelter and clothing and gainful employment. Moreover, in recent years, care for our common home, the earth, has become more urgent.

Pope Francis’ masterpiece, Laudato Si, rejoices in God the creator, and addresses this God-given obligation. When we add it all up it is all about what St. Paul eloquently states in his letter to the Romans. “The Kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking, but about justice and peace, and the joy of the Holy Spirit. (14:17)

Now back to the Visitation and the gift of unborn life that opened this column. The decision of the Supreme Court of the United States over the Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is imminent and the prospect of overturning of Roe v. Wade is sending shock waves across the land from the White House to all points on the compass.

There is no doubt that this is an historic moment for our nation. The passion surrounding this life issue burns no less intensely than nearly 50 years ago when Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973. There has been a creeping shadow ever since because at the core of our collective consciousness is a tortured conscience that is unable to reconcile a self-image of inherent goodness with the blood of the innocents. But whether Roe v Wade is overturned or rolled back, abortions will not cease, as we know. The political onus will return to the legislatures of the 50 states to enact laws going forward, and as we have already experienced, these laws will vary greatly.

Like the fires engulfing our western states, there will be widespread conflagrations that burn at the fault lines of our fractured society. The personal onus is another dimension, the terrain of conscience and conversion, challenging every individual to safeguard the gift of sexuality knowing there is freedom through boundaries, to cherish the gift of life, one’ own and the vulnerable in our midst, and to realize that violence against the unborn is at the root of the violence that roils our nation and world.

What can one person or one church do? “The light shone in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it,” (John 1:5) is the promise that our labors with God will always matter. Praying, serving, empowering and advocating are always relevant.

Pope Francis encourages encounter with the other and accompaniment, and a recent project worthy of praise in every Catholic diocese is “Walking with Moms in Need.” Whatever the ruling on Roe v Wade, the church in league with other networks is redoubling its efforts to accompany mothers, their preborn and children in the early stages of development so that they and we, like Mary and Elisabeth, can rejoice in the gift of life and in God our Savior.

La Divina Misericordia resuena con la gracia del perdón, la paz, la reconciliación, la esperanza y la vida

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Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
La Octava de Pascua, la celebración de la resurrección del Señor de entre los muertos, se extiende durante ocho días alcanzando su crescendo el segundo domingo, celebrado pastoralmente y en oración como el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia.

El Evangelio de cada año para este domingo es Juan 21:19-31 cuando el Señor resucitado se apareció dos veces a sus apóstoles acurrucados por el miedo para bendecirlos con la paz, para infundirles el Espíritu Santo, restaurarles la vida y enviarlos a una misión.

La segunda aparición en este escenario fue necesaria porque Tomas desapareció durante el primer encuentro y todavía estaba sumido en su vergüenza, duda, miedo y desesperanza. Los relatos de la resurrección están escritos y proclamados con las palabras del evangelista “… para que ustedes crean que Jesús es el Mesías, el Hijo de Dios, y para que creyendo tengan vida por medio de él.” (Juan 20:31)

Cada año se invoca, para el “mundo entero” y muchas causas nobles, la Divina Misericordia del Señor crucificado y resucitado. Este año en la Catedral levantamos en oración a las víctimas de abuso sexual en nuestra iglesia.

Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz

Durante el proceso del Sínodo, muchos en nuestra diócesis expresaron un anhelo de unidad que reconoce la necesidad de sanación en muchos frentes. Al igual que los apóstoles, y especialmente Santo Tomás, muchos en nuestra iglesia y sociedad están sufriendo por numerosas razones. Una razón grave, que atrapa a demasiados, es el delito de abuso sexual que continúa afligiendo a las víctimas y a sus seres queridos. Algunas de nuestras sesiones parroquiales y diocesanas destacaron el compromiso del liderazgo de la iglesia, hace casi veinte años, de nunca perder de vista “La Promesa de Proteger y el Compromiso de Sanar.”

Durante estos últimos veinte años, se ha logrado mucho a través del desarrollo y fortalecimiento de entornos seguros para cumplir la promesa de proteger a nuestros niños y jóvenes en los programas de la iglesia. Innumerables miles han sido educados para estar atentos no solo en los entornos de la iglesia, sino también en su vida diaria con respecto a los comportamientos y circunstancias que podrían ser problemáticos para los niños y jóvenes vulnerables.

Nunca más podemos ser complacientes porque los depredadores, en todos los ámbitos de la vida, siempre están alerta a los puntos débiles ambientales que permiten el acceso a los niños.

Tan importante como el cumplimiento del compromiso de la iglesia es “La Promesa de Sanar” para que no olvidemos a aquellos que están sufriendo los ataques indescriptibles del abuso sexual contra su dignidad humana. El Domingo de la Divina Misericordia resuena con la gracia del perdón, la paz, la reconciliación, la esperanza y la vida. Doblemente.

Los apóstoles, los primeros líderes de la iglesia, habían abandonado y negado a su Señor, y necesitaban la gracia de la misericordia y un nuevo comienzo. “Por Su dolorosa Pasión, ten piedad de nosotros y del mundo entero,” es una súplica a la misericordia de Dios sobre los líderes de la iglesia, que fueron perpetradores, o aquellos que permitieron que continuara el abuso.

La oración más sincera es que la misericordia de Dios bañe, a todos los que han sido dañados, con sanidad y esperanza, paz y vida nueva. Cuando escuchamos de Jesús la invitación a Tomás de poner su dedo en las marcas de los clavos y su mano en el lado abierto, sabemos que Dios desea sanar a todos los que están quebrantados y golpeados por el abuso sexual y que anhelan una nueva vida, para tocar el poder sanador de la misericordia de Dios en Jesucristo.

Este momento de resurrección fue anunciado por el Señor Jesús al comienzo de su ministerio público en el Evangelio de San Lucas. “El Espíritu del Señor está sobre mí, porque me ha consagrado para llevar la buena noticia a los pobres; me ha enviado a anunciar libertad a los presos y dar vista a los ciegos; a poner en libertad a los oprimidos.” (Lucas 4:18)

Estas palabras del Señor son la obra fundamental de la Iglesia y el corazón de la “promesa de sanar.”
Hay muchos caminos hacia una nueva vida en el Cuerpo de Cristo y nuestra oración en el Domingo de la Divina Misericordia fue que nunca nos cansemos de orar y de acompañar a nuestros hermanos y hermanas, gravemente dañados, en el camino de la vida hacia Él que es el Camino, la Verdad y la Vida.

Call for consecration originated with Our Lady of Fatima

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By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The feast of the Annunciation, March 25 which celebrates the moment in which Mary accedes in all wonder and mystery to be the mother of God’s beloved Son, takes on added significance this year in response to Pope Francis’ call to the church to consecrate Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

For nearly a month now, there is a desperate plea and prayer for peace for the people of the Ukraine. Our prayer is not limited to this conflict but reaches out to all war-torn nations in our world. However, the inspiration to consecrate a nation, in particular, Russia, afflicted by communism, to the Blessed Mother’s Immaculate Heart originated with Our Lady of Fátima, based on her apparitions reported in 1917 by three shepherd children at the Cova da Iria, in Fátima, Portugal.

The three children were Lucía dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto. The apparitions occurred between May 13, 1917 and Sept. 13, 1917. The consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was first requested on July 13, 1917 as World War I raged and the menace of communism was advancing.

Pope Francis’ decision to consecrate Russia and the Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Solemnity of the Annunciation comes at another crucial time for the church and the world. The Ukraine’s Latin Rite Bishops made the appeal to Pope Francis after Russia launched its invasion on Feb. 24, one month ago.

This is not the first time that the Vicar of Christ, the Bishop of Rome, has consecrated nations and peoples to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. In the aftermath of the assassination attempt on his life in 1981, St. Pope John Paul II immediately thought of consecrating the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and he himself composed a prayer for what he called an “Act of Entrustment,” which was to be celebrated in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major on June 7, 1981, the Solemnity of Pentecost. The following is the part which refers specifically to the Act of Entrustment:

“Mother of all individuals and peoples, you know all their sufferings and hopes. In your motherly heart you feel all the struggles between good and evil, between light and darkness, that convulse the world: accept the plea which we make in the Holy Spirit directly to your heart and embrace with the love of the Mother and Handmaid of the Lord those who most await this embrace, and also those whose act of entrustment you too await in a particular way. Take under your motherly protection the whole human family, which with affectionate love we entrust to you, O Mother. May there dawn for everyone the time of peace and freedom, the time of truth, of justice and of hope.”

In order to respond more fully to the requests of Our Lady, the Holy Father desired to make more explicit during the Holy Year of the Redemption the Act of Entrustment of May 7, 1981, which had been repeated in Fatima on May 13, 1982.

On March 25, 1984 in St. Peter’s Square, while recalling the fiat uttered by Mary at the Annunciation, the Holy Father, in spiritual union with the Bishops of the world, who had been convoked beforehand, entrusted all men and women and all peoples to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in terms which recalled the heartfelt words spoken in 1981.

In a 1989 handwritten letter, Sister Lucia said that Pope John Paul’s consecration of the whole world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary was “accepted in heaven.” The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said the consecration had been completed to Sister Lucía’s satisfaction. “The decision of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to make public the third part of the secret of Fatima brings to an end a period of history marked by tragic human lust for power and evil, yet pervaded by the merciful love of God and the watchful care of the Mother of Jesus and of the church.” (The Message of Fatima, 2000)

On Friday, March 25 there will be prayers of consecration rising up to heaven from all over the world. Our diocese will be in solidarity with the universal church with a special holy hour of consecration at 11 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson, followed by Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation. Likewise, there will be prayer throughout the diocese.

Cardinal Ratzinger as head of the Congregation on the Doctrine of the Faith wrote in the 2000 document, “The Message of Fatima” that “we believe that the action of God, the Lord of history, and the co-responsibility of men and women in the drama of God’s creative freedom, are the two pillars upon which human history is built. Our Lady, who appeared at Fatima, recalls these forgotten values. She reminds us that humanity’s future is in God, and that we are active and responsible partners in creating that future.”
The following is an excerpt from the prayers that will rise like incense on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.

“Most Holy Virgin Mary, tender Mother of men and women, to fulfill the desires of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the request of the Vicar of Your Son on earth, we consecrate Russia and the Ukraine to your Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart, O Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, and we recommend to You, all the people of our country and all the world. Please accept our consecration, dearest Mother, and use us as You wish to accomplish Your designs in the world.”

Nuestra Señora de Fátima, origen del llamado a la consagración

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Por Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
La fiesta de la Anunciación, el 25 de marzo, celebra el momento en que María accede con todo asombro y misterio a ser la madre del Hijo amado de Dios. Este año adquiere un significado adicional en respuesta al llamado del Papa Francisco a la iglesia para consagrar Rusia y Ucrania al Inmaculado Corazón de María.
Desde hace casi un mes, hay una súplica y oración desesperadas por la paz para el pueblo de Ucrania. Nuestra oración no se limita a este conflicto, sino que se extiende a todas las naciones devastadas por la guerra en nuestro mundo. Sin embargo, la inspiración para consagrar una nación, en particular Rusia, afligida por el comunismo, al Inmaculado Corazón de la Santísima Madre se originó en Nuestra Señora de Fátima, en base a las apariciones relatadas en 1917 por los tres niños pastores en Cova da Iria, en Fátima, Portugal.

Obispo Joseph R. Kopacz

Los tres niños eran Lucía Dos Santos y sus dos primos Francisco y Jacinta Marto. Las apariciones ocurrieron entre el 13 de mayo de 1917 y el 13 de septiembre de 1917. La consagración de Rusia al Inmaculado Corazón de María se solicitó por primera vez el 13 de julio de 1917, cuando se desató la Primera Guerra Mundial y avanzaba la amenaza del comunismo.

La decisión del Papa Francisco de consagrar Rusia y Ucrania al Inmaculado Corazón de María en la Solemnidad de la Anunciación llega en otro momento crucial para la iglesia y el mundo. Los obispos del Rito Latino de Ucrania hicieron el llamamiento al Papa Francisco después que Rusia lanzara su invasión, hace un mes, el 24 de febrero.

Esta no es la primera vez que el Obispo de Roma y Vicario de Cristo consagra naciones y pueblos al Inmaculado Corazón de María. Después del atentado contra su vida en 1981, el Papa San Juan Pablo II inmediatamente pensó en consagrar el mundo al Inmaculado Corazón de María y él mismo compuso una oración que llamó un “Acto de Encomienda”, que fue celebrado en la Basílica de Santa María la Mayor el 7 de junio de 1981, en la solemnidad de Pentecostés. La porción siguiente es la que se refiere específicamente al Acta de Encomienda:

“Madre de los hombres y de los pueblos, Tú conoces todos sus sufrimientos y sus esperanzas, Tú sientes maternalmente todas las luchas entre el bien y el mal, entre la luz y las tinieblas que sacuden al mundo, acoge nuestro grito dirigido en el Espíritu Santo directamente a tu Corazón y abraza con el amor de la Madre y de la Esclava del Señor a los que más esperan este abrazo, y, al mismo tiempo, a aquellos cuya entrega Tú esperas de modo especial. Toma bajo tu protección materna a toda la familia humana a la que, con todo afecto a ti, Madre, confiamos. Que se acerque para todos, el tiempo de la paz y de la libertad, el tiempo de la verdad, de la justicia y de la esperanza.”

Para responder más plenamente a las peticiones de Nuestra Señora, el Santo Padre quiso hacer más explícito el Acta de Encomienda durante el Año Santo de la Redención del 7 de mayo de 1981, que había sido repetida en Fátima el 13 de mayo de 1982.

El 25 de marzo de 1984 en la Plaza de San Pedro, recordando el fiat pronunciado por María en la Anunciación, el Santo Padre, en unión espiritual con los Obispos del mundo, que habían sido convocados de antemano, encomendó a todos los hombres y mujeres de todos los pueblos al Inmaculado Corazón de María, en términos que recordaron las sentidas palabras pronunciadas en 1981.

En una carta manuscrita de 1989, la Hermana Lucía dijo que la consagración del mundo entero al Inmaculado Corazón de María por parte del Papa Juan Pablo II fue “aceptada en el cielo.” La Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe del Vaticano dijo que la consagración se completó a satisfacción de la hermana Lucía. “La decisión del Santo Padre Juan Pablo II de hacer pública la tercera parte del «secreto» de Fátima cierra una página de historia, marcada por la trágica voluntad humana de poder y de iniquidad, pero impregnada del amor misericordioso de Dios y de la atenta premura de la Madre de Jesús y de la Iglesia.” (El Mensaje de Fátima, 2000)

El viernes 25 de marzo habrá oraciones de consagración subiendo al cielo desde todo el mundo.
Nuestra diócesis se solidarizará con la iglesia universal con una hora santa especial de consagración a las 11 a.m. en la Catedral de San Pedro Apóstol en Jackson, seguida de una Misa por la Solemnidad de la Anunciación. Asimismo, habrá oración a través de toda la diócesis.

El Cardenal Ratzinger como jefe de la Congregación para la Doctrina de la Fe escribió en el documento de 2000, “El Mensaje de Fátima” que “…creemos que la acción de Dios, Señor de la historia y la corresponsabilidad de hombres y mujeres en el drama de la libertad creadora de Dios, son los dos pilares sobre los que se construye la historia humana. Nuestra Señora, que se apareció en Fátima, recuerda estos valores olvidados. Ella nos recuerda que el futuro de la humanidad está en Dios y que somos socios activos y responsables en la creación de ese futuro.”

Lo siguiente es un extracto de las oraciones que se elevarán como incienso en la Solemnidad de la Anunciación.

“Santísima Virgen María, tierna Madre de los hombres y mujeres, para cumplir los deseos del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús y la petición del Vicario de Tu Hijo en la tierra, consagramos Rusia y Ucrania a tu Doloroso e Inmaculado Corazón, ¡oh!, Reina del Santísimo Rosario y encomendamos a Ti, a todo el pueblo de nuestra patria y de todo el mundo. Por favor acepta nuestra consagración, Madre queridísima, y úsanos como Tú deseas para realizar Tus designios en el mundo.”

Food for the journey – His own body and blood

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By Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz, D.D.
The celebration of the Incarnation, the beginning of the culmination of God’s plan of salvation for humanity, will be celebrated throughout the Christian world over next weekend on the Solemnity of Christmas. In many countries the Lord’s birth will be commemorated at home or in smaller family clusters, but for the majority of the faithful there will be the joyful gatherings in churches with a wide range of languages and customs. For the throngs who do “go to church,” it will be for the celebration of the sacrifice of the Mass, the divine Liturgy, the holy Eucharist, to give thanks to God who so loved the world that he sent his only Son. (John 3:16)

Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz

Next weekend there will be the pastoral challenge in the Catholic world of coordinating the schedule of Masses for Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the Masses for Sunday – the feast of the Holy Family. But whatever Masses we attend let us not lose sight of one of the most sublime mysteries of our faith in the Lord Jesus, the bond between his birth, the Incarnation, and the Mass, when and where we celebrate his death and resurrection.

The link between the words from the prologue of the Gospel of John and the words of consecration from the other three evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke, as well as St. Paul are enlightening.

From the prologue:
– “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14)

– The Lord himself handed on to the church, beginning at the Last Supper and continuing for all time, his words of institution and consecration. (Matthew, Mark, Luke and St. Paul) “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)

– Several chapters later in John’s Gospel, the Lord unwaveringly wedded his Incarnation with the Eucharist. “I am that living bread come down from heaven! Everyone who eats it will live forever. And the bread I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51)

Throughout the Christmas season, the Octave of Christmas, and its sacred interval through Jan. 9, 2022 – the feast of the Baptism of the Lord – there is ample time to cherish the fullness of our faith in the Son of God.

Jesus Christ is the true light that has come into the world, so that whoever accepts him is granted the power to be children of God. Each time we gather at Mass as his Body – the church – the risen Christ reveals his glory to us, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth.

Whenever someone doubts or rejects the real presence of the risen Christ in the bread and wine, which can occur for many reasons, a good place to revisit is the Incarnation of the Son of God.

In the power of the Holy Spirit pray for the grace and truth to see with the eyes of the heart the humanity and divinity of the child Jesus, and the crucified and risen Lord. He shines in glory in His resurrected body at the right hand of the Father and intercedes on behalf of his Body, the church, in this world.

Of course, he would want to feed us with exceptional food and drink – His own body and blood – food for the journey.

As, we grapple with this sublime mystery at various intervals over our life span, and we pray for one another to persevere, as individuals, families and friends with our feet firmly planted in God’s good creation as children of the Most High, who never lose sight of the beckoning horizon of eternal life.

Merry Christmas and peace on earth and goodwill toward all!