By Elena Macias
“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.”
These were the opening words of the reading from John’s Gospel on Nov. 8 for the annual Diocesan Memorial Mass for Deceased Priests. “I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going.’ Thomas said to Him, ‘Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14 1-6).
Bishop Alberto Rojas presided over the annual Memorial Mass for Deceased Priests along with Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio J. del Riego and fellow priests as concelebrants. Other priests from the Diocese sat in the pews at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral in San Bernardino to celebrate their brother priests.
In his homily Bishop Rojas acknowledged that the Gospel reading from John for the Memorial Mass is usually read during funerals, and it takes place the day before Jesus would be crucified. Bishop Rojas said the beauty he sees in this Gospel is that Jesus, despite knowing that he will soon be crucified, by his love, is preparing a welcoming place for the disciples to be with him again. This love Jesus has for us is like that of new parents when they prepare to welcome their baby and Bishop Rojas said he hopes that our deceased priests arrive to the tender place that Jesus has prepared for us.
“His love moving him to prepare a welcoming place for the disciples, just like when parents are preparing for a new baby,” Bishop Rojas said. “This is how I see God takes care of us. The entire idea of heaven is in relationship with Jesus. Heaven is Heaven because Jesus is there with us. That’s what we want for our brother priests who have died. A loving tender place for arrival in the arms of God.”
The names of diocesan priests who have passed away this year were offered during the prayer intentions. The Mass was offered for Monsignor Tom Wallace, Monsignor Antonio G. Sudario, Father Patrick Travers, SS. CC., Monsignor Cesar E. Encinares, Father Louis A. Abdoo, M.C., Father James H. Burnie, C.S.Sp., and Father Michael Maher, SS. CC as well as for Pope Benedict XVI and Bishop David G. O’Connell, an Auxiliary Bishop of Los Angeles who was shot and killed in February.
“It’s always good to come together as a Church, as a diocese, today specifically for prayer and petition of us to God for the eternal repose of those brothers who have passed away… hopefully they are awaiting our arrival someday to join them,” Bishop Rojas said. “In the meantime, we come together to remember them, to pray for them, to be grateful for their service.”
Bishop Rojas concluded the Mass by thanking everyone involved in organizing the Mass and God for the opportunity to come together again and celebrate the Eucharist especially for those brother priests who have gone before us.
“Special thanks to Bishop Rutilio who is with us today,” Bishop Rojas said. “To all my brother priests who have joined us from different parts of the diocese, it’s very beautiful to see you together especially for a celebration like this when we want to show our love and appreciation to those brothers who have worked hard and who are hopefully resting in God’s peace.”
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE.