The Healing Journey

July 17, 2024

Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said one of the most moving moments for him during the four-day Eucharist pilgrimage that came through the Diocese of Bridgeport in May was the day he celebrated Mass at St. Matthew Church in Norwalk and then processed with the Blessed Sacrament to St. John Cemetery.

He said during a homily at the Mass of Thanksgiving:

“My dear sisters and brothers in the Lord. It was day three of the Eucharistic procession, and I woke up with a grateful heart. And my feet were killing me. In fact, there were parts of my feet that were hurting that I didn’t even know I had. But nonetheless, day three, and all the graces that would come with it were before me. And as the day began, I found myself with the good people of St. Matthew’s in Norwalk and those who were visiting that wonderful parish, first to celebrate the Eucharist together, and then to have a procession to a place in a moment of grace that, I must confess, my friends, has transformed my life. For, as many of you know, near St. Matthew’s is St. John’s cemetery. And on that morning, we took our Eucharistic Lord to that place of rest for those who ate his Body and drank his Blood, and rest now in the sleep of peace. And it was remarkable to see the Eucharistic Lord being carried in the midst of rows and rows and rows of graves of those who are awaiting his return in glory. And the words we heard in Sacred Scripture, in the Gospel jumped out and took a life in my own mind that, quite frankly, up to that point, I had understood, but not perhaps so deeply felt.

‘Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood shall live forever.’ On that morning, the Lord, the Eucharistic King, was claiming the living and the dead. It did not need a homily, a talk or presentation. It was a living catechism of who we are and what we believe in Jesus Christ.”

(Photo by Ann Mastrolillo)

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