CHARLOTTE — Amid heightened immigration tension in recent weeks, Bishop Michael Martin offered comfort and support for parishioners at Our Lady of Guadalupe Wednesday – sharing: “You have been in my heart and on my mind these past few weeks.”
Bishop Martin spoke after joining the community for the first Mass of the novena of Our Lady of Guadalupe – a nine-day event of prayer, reflection and Eucharistic celebrations in anticipation of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
“Tonight, as we begin the novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we gather with the same faith demonstrated by the Virgin: not letting fear stop us from bringing Christ to the world,” Bishop Martin said. He was the first of the visiting clergy who by tradition are invited to celebrate the novena with the parish.
“We are with you in these difficult times,” the bishop said. “I cannot imagine what you—or people you know—are living through in fear. But I know that Christ conquers fear.”
He thanked the community for their hospitality and shared that, during a brief encounter recently with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, he’d thanked the pontiff for his support of migrants around the world.
The bishop invited the parish, as they begin the novena, not to be overcome by fear and to courageously carry Christ’s message into the world.
“We gather with the same faith demonstrated by the Virgin: not letting fear stop us from bringing Christ to the world,” he said. “We will not cower in our homes. We will not remain silent on the peripheries. We take her incredible image, we rise up, and we carry God’s message to the world, especially when we face evil.
Father José Gregorio, parochial vicar at our Lady of Guadalupe, said the congregation was surprised by the bishop’s appearance and moved by his message.
“For the Latino community, which is fervent and religiously expressive, having the Bishop come is an even greater encouragement – especially in these moments,” Father Gregorio said.
“Everyone who came out after Mass approached him – everyone. Everyone wanted to express their affection and closeness to him.”
— Brian Segovia. Photos provided
Bishop Martin’s full message to Our Lady of Guadalupe:
“Good afternoon. I am very grateful to my Vincentian brothers who always invite me here and who always make me feel so welcomed and at home. I think I come to Our Lady of Guadalupe parish more than to any other parish in the diocese. You have been in my heart and on my mind these past weeks.
I had the opportunity to be in Rome with some pilgrims for the Holy Year. In the brief time I had alone with Pope Leo, I thanked him for the powerful and courageous message he continues to preach about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, especially with regard to migrants around the world. While for the Holy Father it is important to present this message to the entire world, for me it is important to present it here in Western Carolina, and for my brothers it is important to present it here at Our Lady of Guadalupe.
I hope you have listened to the Holy Father. I hope you have listened to me. I hope you have listened to my brothers tell you: we are with you in these difficult times. I cannot imagine what you—or people you know—are experiencing with fear. But I know that Christ conquers fear. Christ always triumphs over fear.
Tonight, as we begin the novena in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we come together with the same faith demonstrated by the Virgin: not letting fear stop us from bringing Christ to the world.
We will not cower in our homes. We will not remain silent on the peripheries. We take her incredible image, we rise up, and we carry God’s message to the world, especially when we face evil.
Let this not be a moment of sadness. Rather, it is a moment of anticipation—a moment of excitement and enthusiasm. It is a time to remember why we have this great gift of faith: to show the world that we will not remain silent, that we will proclaim what we truly believe—that Jesus Christ has taught all of us about our human dignity, regardless of our citizenship.
There have been moments in these recent days in which I have felt that the only thing I could do was speak words. I have felt unable to do anything more dramatic or more powerful. But I am not the Savior. Jesus is the Savior. He is doing powerful, wonderful, and astonishing things in your lives, even in these challenging times.
Look toward Him (pointing to the cross).
If you look toward me, the only thing I will do is point you toward Him. If you look toward me, perhaps I will look toward them (Father Marvin and Father José), but even then I would still ask you to look toward Him. That is what Our Lady has taught us: she always points us to her Son.”
