A Breath of Roses

Happy Birthday to Our Lady!
I went to Mass this morning; Fr. C. is an obvious fan of Our Blessed Mother. Since it's early in the morning at a high school, he has a limited amount of time to offer Mass. He told me he's used to having time to say Mass, so it's a bit of an adjustment. But however short and summarized his homily was today, it wasn't lacking in substance or enthusiasm!
It's so beautiful to see such a good, holy priest so devoted to Mary. It's the same kind of virtue as that of a young man who "loves his mother." There's something very endearing about it because of the sincere humility it indicates. Generally, a son grows to be twice as strong as his mother; it takes a significant amount of maturity on his part to know that that doesn't mean he's twice as wise. The priests of the Church have studied Christ, His teachings, His instructions, and His redemptive mission. They have an intellectual grasp of theology far wider than most lay people. It is beautiful to see them still turn to Our Blessed Mother for guidance and intercession. "She has done so much for me," Fr. C. said this morning, in a tone that expressed both gratitude and the kind of pride a son feels for his loving parents.

It was a beautiful day. Besides Mass, I was able to go to him this afternoon for confession, and we talked for a while afterwards. He is a very very good man, and a holy priest. I am so blessed that he is here, so close to where I'm going to school.