BRIDGEPORT— In a solemn and memorable liturgy, Bishop Frank J. Caggiano celebrated the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at St. Augustine Cathedral this evening, and asked the faithful to look past the pandemic to more joyous times when they will once again be with family and friends and come together in public worship.
As in the Chrism Mass celebrated earlier in the day, Bishop Caggiano said the Mass in the empty Cathedral assisted only by St. Augustine Pastor Fr. Michael Novajosky and the priests of the Cathedral parish.
On the evening that commemorates both the institution by Christ himself of the Eucharist and the sacerdotal priesthood at the Last Supper, the Bishop said “Even if it’s a moment of sadness, let us celebrate the gift of the friendship Christ has offered to us in His body and blood, soul and divinity.”
In his homily he said that the gift of the Eucharist urges us toward greater charity, service, and love of neighbor ‘in Christ’s divine name.”
“We give you thanks for the gift of the Eucharist, Lord Jesus who dwells in our midst as our Lord and Savior, our redeemer and divine friend. May we honor you with reverence by loving each other as he has loved us,” he said.
The Bishop reflected on the humility Jesus showed the world on the night before he died by acting as a servant and washing the feet of his disciples.
“He took on the task of a servant to wash feet of the disciples to show them that he would love them to the end. He would prove it the next day,” the Bishop said.
“I ask you as we look into the faces in our mind’s eye of the people we love and call our friends, What is it we will not do for them, sacrifice for them, even wash their feet.”
The Bishop acknowledged the isolation and anxiety many are feeling because of the quarantine necessary during the Covid-19 virus, but urged people to look forward in hope.
“All of us in our respective homes this year can’t spend time during these Holy Days with our families and friends, and it is a great pain and great loss, but imagine the joy we’re going to have when we are in each other’s’ embrace once again, when we can lift our hearts, minds and glasses in celebration. Let us be resolved to never take our loved ones and friends for granted again. Let us live the mystery of Christ’s life by loving them, willing their good, and caring them to the end.”
In the petitions following the homily Fr. Novajosky prayed for an end to the Covid-19 illness, “for strength for medical personnel,” for all priests that they grow in their ministry, and that people may return to the Lord during the pandemic.
Immediately following Mass, Bishop Caggiano invited all the faithful who watched the Mass online to join him in a half-hour of adoration.
“My friends the sacred vigil of the Lord’s passion has begun. I invite you in your homes to allow these hours to become be a time of sacred silence, to walk with the Lord in his passion and agony until we come together tomorrow at noon for the Stations of the Cross.”
