Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., will celebrate Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, April 9, at 7 p.m. in St. Rose Church, Belmar. The Mass, which will be livestreamed without a congregation, can be viewed on the Diocese’s YouTube channel and all other diocesan media outlets. An excerpt of Bishop O’Connell’s homily follows.  To read the full text, CLICK HERE.

For more than 2,000 years, Catholics and Christians everywhere focus their attention on “Holy Thursday,” remembering the dramatic events that make this day in this week “Holy.”

There was a gathering, a Passover meal and celebration complete with prayers and hymns.  There was a sharing of bread and wine, the anticipation of the end of one life and the beginning of a life that would never end.  And there was an example given from a “teacher” that was instructive and unambiguous and forever: “Do this in remembrance of Me.”

My sisters and brothers, this night is Holy, not because of the things we do each year but, rather, because of the things He did – the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is He who gathers us.  It is He who gives us food and drink.  It is He who drops to his knees to wash the feet of his disciples.  He, the Lord Jesus Christ, makes this night Holy.  And what we do, we do in His memory.