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When I was in seminary, our rector often reminded us of the importance of remembering our Baptism. He drilled it into us in such a way that I often preach on our Baptismal reality. Why the emphasis? When we recognize that as the foundation of our Christian life, all vocations and really our entire lives spring from the waters of Baptism. It is there that our parents and godparents were given the Light of Christ to keep burning, and how our world needs the Light of Christ today!

I bring this up because I recently had the opportunity to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France. Our Blessed Mother has been pursuing my heart for a while now, but that is another blog for another day. I knew though, that something big was going to happen on our pilgrimage. I thought it would come in Paray Le Monial as we prayed in the Chapel of the Apparitions where Jesus revealed His Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alocoque. I thought it would come presiding Mass at the tomb of St. John Vianney in Ars. Alas, our Blessed Mother had the final word.

When you arrive at Lourdes, there are two big things that draw attention: the candlelight rosary procession and the baths. Upon arriving at Lourdes and praying the rosary with my candle I felt the Church come alive. We were all responding in unison in our native language; the great sign of unity in diversity that is most perfectly found in the Church. It was truly a recognition that our Blessed Mother is interceding for us at every moment.

The next day we had the opportunity to engage in the water gesture. Since Covid, they had stopped doing the full immersion bath. They explained to us that Mary told St. Bernadette to wash her hands and face and drink the water. I told the volunteer who explained that if it was good enough for St. Bernadette, it was good enough for me. And was it!!! As I began to wash my face, I could not tell where the water finished and the tears began.

As I continue to pray through the graces I have received, I am convinced that our Blessed Mother wants all of us to remember our Baptism. As soon as we begin to live our baptismal reality, our lives will change. The same Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead was freely given to us at our Baptism, but we sometimes live in a fear or worse, indifference. Every time we see a lighted candle or dip our fingers in Holy Water, let us remember the promises our parents and godparents made on the day of our Baptism; the same promises we renew at Easter.

May our Blessed Mother intercede for us as we go back to basics and live our Baptism! 



Comments from readers

Carolina Castillo - 08/29/2024 09:39 AM
Padre Mathew, gracias por compartir esa hermosa experiencia que nos enrriquece y nos transforma a nosotros que tambien la leemos y aprendemos a volver al amor primero, ese amor que Dios nos regalo en nuestro bautismo. Saber que nuestra Madre Virgen Maria Santisima nos regala y nos lleva a cristo nuevamente para ayudarnos a crecer en nuestra Fe y en nuestro caminar con su HIjo nuestro Señor Jesuscristo.
Carlos Cueto - 08/29/2024 08:03 AM
Father Matthew, glory to God in the highest that God’s Grace led your parents to take you to the baptismal font and from whence your life in Grace began. Reflecting on your words about our Mother and your experiences in the baths at Lourdes reminded me that our Lord was equally immersed in the holy waters of His Mother’s womb for nine months. May she always be admired and venerated for bringing us the Word, the Living Water from which springs eternal life!
Yadira Rueda Camacho - 08/28/2024 10:50 AM
Father Mathew, Thanks for sharing such a beautiful experience. It is a blessing to treasure those signs of the presence of our good Lord and our blessed Mother along our Journey as Christians and remembering that we are not alone, the graces pouring in our lives in many ways to enhance our path and strengthen our faith. God bless you! My prayer for your holy priesthood! Totus Tuus! Yours in Christ, Yadira
J Padron - 08/27/2024 01:05 PM
Father Matthew: Thank You for sharing the wonderful experiences during Your Pilgrimage Trip... As We go back to basic... Praise God for your teachings while reliving the wonderful thoughts from the very special moments lived to the fullest. May God continue to bless your priestly ministry! TO MARY THROUG JESUS! AMDG

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