Gratitude

On Lætare Sunday in 2012, Francine and I first attended Holy Rosary church for Mass. I described the event at the time like this:

Something simply extraordinary happened today. This afternoon, I attended the Sacred Liturgy and participated in the Mass for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Lætare Sunday), and it was absolutely by the book. …

This priest, Rev. Jacob Maurer, was reverent, and he appeared to have large chunks of the Roman Canon memorized. …

Simply, it was letter-perfect. Every word, every gesture no matter how small, was done faithfully and precisely. Yet, the priest never appeared to be performing or reciting; he was simply praying, and we were caught up in his prayer, bourne aloft with his words to the presence of the Father.

It was an absolute revelation.

This priest was not putting on a show, he was humbling himself and making the prayer of the Church his prayer, and presented with this reality, the people responded not to him, but to Christ who was acting through him.

The years have come and gone, and this priest, now my friend, is pastor of another church far away.

One thing, however, has not changed. Today, Francine and I participated in this Sunday’s Mass in this time of plague through the magic of the Internet, with Father Maurer celebrating.

He is still praying the venerable Roman Canon. He is still reverent, faithful, and precise. And he is still one of the most holy men I know.

Thank you, Father Maurer. Thank you for your priesthood. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for bringing Christ to us. Thank you.