.- The
archbishop of Boston received a standing ovation at St. Theresa of
Avila Parish April 1 at the beginning of his first public Mass since
being elevated to the College of Cardinals last month.
“It’s a great joy to be here,” Cardinal Sean O’Malley told the packed church.
According to a
report in Boston’s diocesan newspaper, The Pilot, the new cardinal
began his homily by speaking about the universality of the Church and
the role of the Pope, who unites Catholics throughout the world.
He explained
that the red robes of a cardinal, which he wore under his purple
vestments, is a reminder that the Catholic Church is a Church of
martyrs. “We must be ready to suffer to bear witness to our faith,” he
said.
His purple
Lenten vestments, with gold, red and green embroidery down the center,
were Pope John Paul II’s. They were a gift from Pope Benedict XVI after
he was elevated to cardinal. Cardinal O’Malley felt it appropriate to
don the vestments of the late pope as the one-year anniversary of his
death would be commemorated the following day.
Cardinal
O’Malley said Lent should be less about sticking to our promises to
give up sweets or cigarettes and more about obeying and getting to know
Christ.
“Lent should
mean turning our backs on everything that separates us from Christ and
each other,” he said. “Lent is about dying to the selfishness of sin
and individualism and being able to experience the joy of Christ.”
He reminded the
congregants not to be afraid to follow Christ. “During Lent, look to
Jesus lifted up on the cross,” he said. “If we really see the cross, we
see love, obedience, hope — and if we really see Jesus, we see that He
is always watching us with love — love that gives us the courage to
stop following Him at a safe distance and follow Him up close.”
Cardinal
O’Malley also celebrated Mass at St. Catherine of Siena in Norwood
April 9 and is scheduled to celebrate at St. Mary of the Assumption in
Lawrence April 16 in Spanish.
Cardinal O’Malley returns to Boston for first public Mass
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