Letter to the editor from Monsignor J. Robert Romero

November 9, 2009

Letter to the Editor, DAILY WORLD

With the visit of the tibia bone (the shin bone) of St. Mary Magdalene on Friday, November 6, 2009, I express appreciation to the many thousands (6,000 plus) who venerated this relic of St. Mary Magdalene at St. Landry Catholic Church. This is a great blessing for all of us. Young and old, black and white, protestant and catholic came. We who have come to Jesus as our Lord and Savior appreciate the witness of discipleship seen in the life of St. Mary Magdalene. The petitions left by visitors were placed at the foot of the altar. We prayed for all people who came and for their needs during Sunday’s masses.

We came with the attitude of St. Jerome [who died on September 30, 420] who tells us, "We do not worship, we do not adore, for fear that we should bow down to the creature rather than to the creator, but we venerate the relics of the martyrs in order the better to adore Him whose martyrs they are." Our coming to the relic of St. Mary Magdalene and to any relic of a Saint is a time we focus on God Himself who is seen in the life of the Saint whose relic we venerate.

Let us follow St. Mary Magdalene in a greater discipleship of Jesus Christ by coming to Jesus (1) wanting to see and to attend to Jesus Christ, (2) experiencing the joy and surprise of witnessing Jesus Christ in our lives, and (3) responding to Jesus’ instruction to tell others of Jesus Christ.

Mr. Richard Borgman’s reflection is a good challenge for us, “This tibia knelt before the crucified and resurrected Christ. Imagine that your life is lived in such holiness that 2000 years after your death your bones are still bringing people to the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our challenge is to be this holy so that God is seen in every detail of our life. Would not our world be a better place, maybe a touch of heaven on earth!

Remember the Lord said to Mary Magdalene: “Go and tell my brothers that I shall ascend to my Father and your Father, to my God and to your God.” (John 20:17)

Let us keep St. Mary Magdalene’s visit fresh in our hearts by praying the following prayer often: “Father, your Son first entrusted to Mary Magdalene the joyful news of his resurrection. By her prayers and examples may we proclaim Christ as our living Lord and one day see him in glory, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” [From the Roman Sacramentary, July 22nd ]

St. Mary Magdalene, pray for us!

Once again, thank you for your openness and your surrendering to God’s will.

Sincerely Yours,

Very Rev. Msgr. J. Robert Romero, V.E.
Pastor of St. Landry Catholic Church
Episcopal Vicar North Region/Diocese of Lafayette