CHARLOTTE — At St. Vincent de Paul Church in south Charlotte, Hispanic parishioners welcomed the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at a packed 2 p.m. Sunday Mass. Led by Capuchin Franciscan Father Michael Herlihey, the Mass brought a joyful celebration to the afternoon stop, uniting the Hispanic community with the nine "Perpetual Pilgrims" traveling with the Blessed Sacrament on the national route.
In his homily, Father Herlihey spoke in both Spanish and English on the same theme: acting with humility in the presence of the Lord. In his Spanish homily, he spoke about why Catholics show reverence in the presence of God in His Church – to imitate the humility Christ showed on the cross.
“God chose to become man and to have a body, and He gave us His body in His sacrifice,” said Father Herlihey. “He wants to sanctify our bodies by inviting us to adore Him.”
Following the Spanish homily, he spoke in English, addressing the young people in the congregation and sharing the story of Tim Tebow, the former NFL quarterback who famously wrote Bible verses such as “John 3:16” on his eye black. Father Herlihey explained that Tebow once played a game in which he threw for exactly 316 yards and recorded multiple other statistics connected to the number 316. That day, John 3:16 and its message became one of the most searched terms online, introducing millions of people to the verse. Father Herlihey explained that because Tebow chose to highlight God rather than himself, millions learned about the hope found in Christ.
“I know we want to go viral,” said Father Herlihey. “But because of one act of humility, Jesus went viral.”
After the Mass, more than 200 parishioners processed with the Blessed Sacrament around the parish and onto a nearby street, where passersby in vehicles waved to the faithful as they walked with Christ. As Father Herlihey held the monstrance high before re-entering the parish, many young parishioners knelt and looked up toward Jesus, a sign of their devotion to Him.
Reflecting on the Mass, procession and subsequent holy hour, Pat Walker, who has lived in the area for 38 years, said the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage brings unity.
“One nation under God – to me, that says it all,” said Walker.
Manuel Pérez, a young Charlotte resident who attends Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, said that devotion is displayed during a Eucharistic procession in a uniquely intimate way.
“It is not too often that we see Eucharistic processions like this, but when we got the opportunity, we came as a group of young adults to be witnesses to the living Christ,” said Pérez.
— Brian Segovia
Read more about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage visit through North Carolina
‘Give them joy’
GRAHAM — Joyful prayer and song in both Spanish and English filled Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Graham Apr. 25, when Atlanta Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., ordained his brother friar, Edgar Iván Varela, OFM Conv., to the priesthood.
“Go to the margins,” Archbishop Hartmayer said. “You know what it is like to come from a family that crosses borders, that speaks two languages, that carries the faith from one world to another. Many of the people you serve will carry those same stories. Meet them there. Franciscan poverty is not only material; it is a poverty that creates space for others to encounter God.”
Principal concelebrants were Our Lady of the Angels Province Minister Provincial Friar Michael Heine, OFM Conv.; Vicar Provincial Friar Gary Johnson, OFM Conv.; Prefect of Formation Friar John Koziol, OFM Conv. and Blessed Sacrament Pastor Friar Vincent Rubino, OFM Conv. Rev. Mr. Michael Pray of the Diocese of Springfield served as deacon. Charlotte Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., also belongs to Our Lady of the Angels Province.
Friar Heine cited their order’s founder in his remarks.
“Ordained in the spirit of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose 800th anniversary of his transitus into heaven we commemorate this year, Friar Edgar embraces a priesthood rooted in humility, fraternity, and joyful service, offering his life so that others may encounter the mercy and love of Christ,” Friar Heine
The son of Maribel and Manuel Varela, Friar Edgar was born in Phoenix. He has four siblings: Yessenia, Erica, Sergio and German, and several nieces and nephews. Friar Edgar was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Loyola University in Chicago and earned Master of Divinity from The Catholic University of America. He served as a deacon at St. Stanislaus Basilica in Chicopee, Massachusetts.
“It is a great blessing for me to receive the ministry of priesthood,” Father Varela said. “I receive this gift, not just for myself, but considering that it is for the Church. Through this ministry, I hope to bring Christ’s presence, love, and mercy to all, and most especially to the forgotten, the exiled, and the outcasted. Please pray for me as I begin this wonderful ministry as a Franciscan friar-priest. Let us together pray for more vocations to religious life and priesthood.”
Archbishop Hartmayer concluded with some advice, “Be joyful. Francis sang. He laughed. He called the sun his brother and the moon his sister. The world already has enough grim religion. Give them joy. The joy of the resurrection. The joy of the Gospel. The joy of a man who has found. The one thing necessary and given everything for it.”
— Catholic News Herald
