Uphold me, O Lord ...

Yesterday was Brother Christian's Solemn Profession... I drove home Thursday evening. It's the first time in over ten years that I've "just attended" a Profession Ceremony, as I was always Master of Ceremonies. In fact, this was the first big event I've been present for that I wasn't MC ... definitely a different expereince. Twenty-two years ago I stood in the Archabbey Church with arms extended singing the Suscipe, and I still get teary thinking about it. Christian is a good man, and I'm glad he's cast his lot with us.

I had to drive back to Indy yesterday afternoon so I could be on deck for the 8am Mass today. We have the Sitio de Jerico devotion going on in the Chapel (started last night) so we moved Mass to the "big church". Actually, the devotion goes 24/7 until next Friday night, so both daily Masses will be in the Cathedral this week. It will be a bit odd having Mass with ten people in the big space.

This week it was announced that the Archbishop of Indianapolis has Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He'll soon begin a round of chemo. Not knowing just how the treatement will affect him, they've covered some of his liturgical bases for the next several weeks. Now, I will preside and preach in his stead for the World Day of Consecrated Life next Saturday. The Vicar General asked me to take it since I'm Administrator of the Cathedral and especially since I'm a Religious ...

My cousin Tom's wife, Amanda, who is 20wks pregnant, was recently diagnosed with vasa previa ... a very dangerous condition for her and for the baby. I presided at their wedding a year ago October. Remember them before God, please.

I don't have anything particularly fun or funny to relate at this juncture ... as you can tell, it's been a week of serious stuff. (The mother of one of the priests I live with died and was buried this past week, too ... I helped with the funeral.)

We pray so often "Thy will be done..." If we follow that up with a prayer for the grace to accept and abide by His will, then, indeed, all will be well.

Uphold me, O Lord, according to your promise, and I shall live. Do not confound me in my expectation!