Mary accompanies us on our greatest mission, says Bishop of Metuchen

METUCHEN – We can never doubt for one moment that Mary is with us at this time, Bishop James F. Checchio of Metuchen said on the vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The feast marks an important milestone in the Diocese of Metuchen, which was consecrated to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe last year on Dec. 12, her feast day.

“How much has happened during this past year, since that evening and moment of grace for us,” remarked Bishop Checchio. “Where would we be without our dear Mother and her love for us?”  

In recognition of the first anniversary, the bishop led the faithful from the four-county diocese in praying the rosary and a prayer of renewal of the act of consecration. The livestreamed prayer, held at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in Metuchen on Dec. 11, capped the diocese’s week-long celebration of its “Season of Renewal,” an initiative launched to mark the spiritual milestone. 

Shared virtually on the diocese’s social media pages and evangelization website: lightingheartsonfire.org – an homage to the bishop’s pastoral letter, “Lighting a fire in the heart of our world” – the “Season of Renewal” offered moments for reflection on the graces from the diocesan consecration to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe. As part of that, ministry leaders from around the diocese took part in offering their own reflections and also opportunities for prayer throughout the week. Leaders from Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen, the Catholic Center at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, and those entrusted with ministering to the Catholic youth of the diocese were among those to take part in the series of virtual events. 

During his remarks, Bishop Checchio told the parish ambassadors and members of the diocesan staff, who were gathered at the cathedral for the reduced-capacity celebration, that even given the graces from the consecration, this past year has been a reminder that roses come with thorns. 

“We have felt those thorns in the suffering of many during these months from the coronavirus, the scourge of racism in our land and in our hearts, that became apparent to us, and the suffering of many even from actions of those within our beloved Church,” said the bishop.

Yet, he reminded them, we do not face these thorns nor sufferings alone.

“Today we celebrate again Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of the Americas – we give thanks for this dear woman of love and compassion, solace and healing, solidarity and hope for the future,” said Bishop Checchio. “If we join with her, Our Lady of Guadalupe will speak to us in new ways, making apparent to us the power of a love that enters into our sufferings alongside us, a love that impels us to go forth and follow the example of self-emptying love.”

The accompaniment of Our Lady is a great gift to us, he said. We are asked to share the love she models “with a world that has so many who are lost and who don’t know what they are missing in life.”

“The Blessed Mother gives us the great example of the Visitation, going to those in need even when it’s difficult,” the bishop continued. “She also gives us the great example of staying with Jesus, always, even at the foot of the Cross, as a sword pierced her heart in the moment of her Son’s great suffering for you and me.”

Bishop Checchio encouraged those present and those watching the livestream to reflect with gratefulness on the graces of the past year and to recommit themselves to taking their next steps forward with Mary, keeping her by their side and remembering her example, as they bring Jesus to all whom they encounter.

The bishop offered to them that their next steps forward with Mary may include family members or friends; those who are sick; those who have lost a loved one or are suffering in other ways; a neighbor, a co-worker, a classmate or a stranger who needs to know Jesus’ love; an immigrant in need of welcome; a person in prison who needs to be visited; those who are hungry or homeless; or even a child in need of financial assistance so they can stay in Catholic school.

“Our mission is the greatest there has ever been: to make Jesus more known and loved,” said Bishop Checchio. “Mary accompanies us, just as she offered assurance to St. Juan Diego when doubts were overtaking him: ‘Am I not here? Am I not your Mother?’”

For more information about the Diocese of Metuchen’s consecration to Jesus through Our Lady of Guadalupe, or to watch the “Season of Renewal” series of virtual events, please visit: lightingheartsonfire.org.