This Sunday marks what is traditionally referred to as Passion Sunday. On this Sunday it remains an option to veil all statues and crucifixes. Through the veiling of these holy objects we have the sense of sight restricted. These holy objects are veiled as reminder of our separation from Heaven which is brought about through death and sin. Thankfully Christ comes to triumph upon the wood of the cross and thus in due time we will be brought back into Heavenly glory.
This pilgrimage has brought us to so many holy sites throughout Europe. Throughout its course we have encountered so many holy men and women who we now refer to as saints. Today we have the opportunity to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass close to the crypt of Saint Francis of Assisi. We know Him to be a holy man for he striped away all that kept him from Christ.
May we realize that this encounter with the saints also serves as an invitation for us to strive for holiness in our everyday life. None of us are called by God to strive for anything less, but how often do we consider the universal call for holiness as an invitation which is made to us? Woman, man, child, single, married, consecrated religious, priest; it doesn’t matter for all of us are called to pursue holiness within our everyday life.
