Monthly Newspaper • DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

BRIDGEPORT— “The world wants to see Jesus with their own eyes, but they will see you,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said to the 26 men and women whom he commissioned as ambassadors during the Pontifical Mass on the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday.

There was a spirit of joy and fraternity as the newest cohort of ambassadors gathered at St. Augustine Cathedral with friends and family members for Mass and the commissioning ceremony after months of discernment and formation.

“The Church needs an army of ambassadors,” to help heal wounds and bring people back to the Church, the bishop said, as he thanked the men and woman for joining the initiative as part of overall diocesan renewal.

In his homily the bishop reflected on the account of “Doubting” Thomas in the Gospel of John, in which Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection.

“Thomas comes to the faith when he can see the Lord with his own eyes and put his finger in the Lord’s wounds,” the bishop said. He asked the ambassadors to focus on the wounds of Christ, because “they help us understand why you and I are here today.”

The bishop asked the men and women to think about the reason that Christ still had wounds when he appeared to his disciples in his Glorified Body.

“Love hurts, love creates wounds and some wounds are so profound that they live forever,” the bishop said. “Jesus carries his wounds forever as a sign of his love for us. From the wounds of Jesus you and I have eternal life.”

The bishop told the ambassadors that their ministry of welcoming people back to the Church will most likely be accomplished in small measures that bring Christ to the wounded, one person at a time.

The ambassadors may accompany others over a cup of coffee or in small gestures of compassion because “hearts break in different ways.” But they should not under-estimate the power of their witness as people seek mercy and healing in the face of their own suffering.

“You may actually see the spiritually dead come back to life,” the bishop said, assuring the ambassadors that they will gain confidence if they remember, “why you are there and the wounds that set us free.”

After the homily the bishop stood before the altar to impart a blessing on those who were commissioned and prayed:

“Fill the hearts of these young missionaries with the Holy Spirit, so that becoming all things to all people, they may lead many to you, the Father of all, to sing your praises in your holy Church.”

“Lord, look kindly on these your servants who have been chosen to act as ambassadors of the Gospel message given to us by your Son. They are now to be sent forth as messengers of salvation and peace, marked with the sign of the Cross. Send your abundant blessing upon them as they embrace this important ministry and make their work fruitful for their parishes and our diocese.”

Following the blessing of the ambassadors, the bishop blessed the Crucifixes and presented them individually to the newly commissioned who came forward before the altar. He was assisted by Deacon John DiTaranto, director of the Ambassador initiative.

Bishop Caggiano concelebrated the Mass with Father Birendra Soreng, pastor of St. Mark Parish in Stratford. Fr. Peter Lenox, Vicar for Liturgy and Worship, served as Master of Ceremonies. Deacon DiTaranto served as Deacon of the Mass.

To date, more than 160 men and women have been commissioned as ambassadors, an initiative called for by Bishop Caggiano in his 2021 Pastoral Exhortation, “Let us Enter the Upper Room with the Lord.” In his letter the bishop wrote, “I will need the assistance of co-workers who will not be afraid to go out into their communities to invite people to encounter the Lord and His mercy.”

Anyone with questions or those who would have an interest in serving as an ambassador may use the following email address to ambassadors@diobpt.org.

List of Ambassadors