Archbishop’s Fifth Grade Mass attendees hear that the Lord has come to save uu

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Catholic News Agency

Archbishop’s Fifth Grade Mass attendees hear that the Lord has come to save us

More than 800 Catholic school fifth grade students from across the archdiocese traveled to St. Rose of Lima Church Feb. 11 for the Archbishop’s Fifth Grade Mass.

This liturgy marked the first time in which all fifth graders came together at one location for the liturgy. Previously the Masses were held at San Fernando Cathedral and due to space limitations several liturgies needed to be held in order for all of the schools to participate.

Students played major roles in the service, with altar servers, gift bearers, and readers representing Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Monica, St. Louis, St. Gregory the Great, Mount Sacred Heart, Holy Spirit, Little Flower, and St. Matthew schools. Music was provided by The Atonement Academy Choir.

Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller, MSpS, highlighted the fact that the Mass was being held on the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the archbishop began his homily by explaining the origin of the day.

He recounted, “Over 150 years ago, in a village in France called Lourdes, a young girl was out walking along a hill. Her name was Bernadette. While Bernadette was walking along, she saw a beautiful lady standing on the rocks by a rose bush. This lady was surrounded by a strong, bright light and was praying a rosary. The lady was Our Mother, Mary! Mary called Bernadette over to her and started to speak with her. Eighteen times Our Lady appeared to St. Bernadette, telling her different things during the visits.”

The San Antonio prelate continued, “Our Lady told St. Bernadette to pray for sinners and for those who suffer. After a while, people started to notice that when they came to wash themselves in the pond near where Mary had appeared, they were healed of their sicknesses. People were healed of diseases, some who couldn’t walk were able to, some who couldn’t see started to see! This is amazing! Our Lady had given us a place where the power of the Holy Spirit would heal us from our sufferings. This is why today is called the World Day of Prayer for the Sick.”

The first reading of the liturgy was from Genesis 2:4b-9, 15-17, with God giving Adam and Eve the commandment not to eat the fruit from tone tree in the Garden of Eden.

“We know that they did actually eat it, and that we humans have been struggling with sinning ever since. This is something that all of us have a problem with. Your fellow students sometimes sin, your teachers, your parents, and even your archbishop sins!” exclaimed Archbishop Gustavo. “Yes, it’s true. But if you are honest with yourself, you know that you also sometimes do things you shouldn’t do.”

In the Gospel reading from Mark 7:14-23, the Lord warned his disciples that some things that come from them “defile” them.

“That word means that some of the things we do hurt us. They injure our holiness!” the archbishop explained to the students. He added, “But there is good news my friends. Just like God is healing people in miraculous ways at Lourdes and in many other places, he is healing our souls all over the world. We have two beautiful sacraments of healing: the sacrament of reconciliation and the sacrament of the anointing of the sick.”

Archbishop Gustavo then asked the fifth graders a question. “I know that most of you have been to confession, right?” he quizzed while smiling. He told the capacity congregation that after that liturgy he was going to go to San Fernando Cathedral and celebrate a Mass with the anointing of the sick.

“We have these sacraments because God loves us and wants us to be with him forever. He wants to heal us body, mind, and soul. So remember the beautiful truth,” the Missionary of the Holy Spirit stressed to the students. “God loves you and wants to keep you strong and holy. Reject all those things that can hurt you and hurt your brothers and sisters in Christ. May we all live our lives in the grace of God, made whole in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.”