Wednesdays in Rome always witness a huge influx of pilgrims
who gather in large and small groups, having come from every country and
continent on earth, just to be present for the General Audience with our Holy
Father, the Vicar of Christ on Earth.
This Wednesday, April 3, 2019, was just such a day as our small group of
Pilgrims set out to take the early bus across the city of Rome to be at the
Vatican in time to secure the best vantage point for the Audience which began
at 9:30 a.m. Through the kindness of the
Sisters of Mercy of Alma (Michigan) who staff the U.S..Bishops Visitors Office,
we were able to secure excellent seats for our small group, while I had the
great privilege of having a seat right on the dais where our Holy Father gives
his weekly Audience address. Perhaps due
to the time of year, the chilly temps and the threat of rain, the crowds were
noticeably smaller, and I was one of only five Bishops to have one of those
official seats near the Holy Father.
At approximately 9:15 a.m., the Holy Father entered St.
Peter’s Square in his famous “Popemobile” and was driven through the large
crowds of pilgrims, stopping frequently to greet persons with special needs and
to bless and kiss little “bambinos”.
Finally at 9:30 a.m., the Holy Father got out of the Popemobile and
walked up the walkway to his chair to begin the Audience with prayer.
The prayer consisted of a brief Reading from the Gospel
repeated at least eight different times in the major languages of the world,
followed by the Holy Father’s catechesis for the day, which for our Audience,
was about his recent pastoral trip to Morocco, and a beautiful reflection on
the importance of religious freedom and how we are all called to be “servants
of hope”. The Audience concluded by praying
the “Pater Noster” (Our Father) together and with the Holy Father’s blessing
for those of us who were there, and for our families, which includes our entire
Family of Faith of our Diocese of Kalamazoo.
As the Audience concluded, it was time for the Bishops
who were present to personally greet the Holy Father. It was a great privilege for me to be the
first of the Bishops to have this great honor.
After greeting him and reminding him of our Diocese (and the Holy Father
loves to repeat “Ka-la-ma-zoooo” after me with a big smile on his face), I told
him I brought him greetings from all the priests, deacons and faithful people
of our Diocese and that we are grateful to him and asking God’s graces to help
him to remain courageous in his leadership of the Church in these difficult
times. I concluded in Spanish: “Que Dios los bendiga y
Nuestra Senora lo guie y proteja”. It
was a wonderful and exhilarating spiritual experience, and I pray that you all
feel the graces and blessings one time removed. 
After a quick lunch, we spent the afternoon visiting the
Catacombs of St. Priscilla. Though a
completely different kind of experience, it was so very moving to have the
opportunity to visit the burial places of the early Christians who lived in
Rome in the 3rd century. This particular
Catacomb had evidence of over 40,000 burials that covered an area of
approximately 7 miles. The tour guide
was a wonderful, well-informed and articulate young woman who explained in
great detail the history of the Catacombs and the strong sense already in the
3rd century of the concept of the resurrection of the dead. As opposed to the strong majority of the
pagan people in Rome who mourned their dead, the Christian community understood
that those who had died buried their bodies for a time of sleeping awaiting the
resurrection of the dead at the end of all time. The actual term “cemetery”
comes from the Greek word for “sleeping”.
It was a truly moving experience.
“Eternal rest grant unto all your Faithful Departed, oh Lord, and let Your
perpetual Light shine upon them. May
they Rest In Peace. Amen.”
The
day came to an end with a delicious dinner at Msgr. Osborn’s favorite
restaurant, Trattoria Scavolina Roma.
For all intents and purposes, that was our last meal together, which was
a fitting way to bring our Lenten Pilgrimage to a conclusion.
Today (Thursday) was a special “side-trip” of a one-day
tour of the beautiful Amalfi Coast along the Mediterranean Sea. Fr. Max and I, along with members of my
family, enjoyed this trip immensely.
Though the weather was unpleasant (it had turned cold and rained most of
the day—-our first unpleasant day weather-wise), it was a wonderful experience
enjoying the august beauty of God’s creation in this part of the world. A highpoint of this day trip was a visit to
the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Amalfi, which houses the mortal remains of the
great St. Andrew, Apostle. What a special
grace and blessing. 
Early tomorrow morning, we will all be boarding separate
planes to find our ways back home, bringing to an end this wonderful Lenten
Pilgrimage. I return to our Diocese very
proud of our two young priests who have done exceptionally well in their
studies as they prepare to return to our Diocese by the end of June; and I also
return spiritually enriched for these final days of Lent and prepared for the
approaching days of Holy Week and the Sacred Paschal Triduum.
With prayers for the continued intercession of Mary,
Mother of the Church for our Diocese, and in thanksgiving for all the graces
God continues to bestow upon us, I remain
Faithfully
yours in Christ,
+
Bishop Paul J. Bradley
Bishop
of Kalamazoo
