Tuesday, January 26, 2010

The Memorial Of Ss. Timothy and Titus


Today in the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite, we celebrate the Memorial of Ss. Timothy and Titus, close collaborators of Saint Paul, the Apostle.

The Epistles to Timothy and Titus are such important directives to bishops and priests. It would be good to read through them and meditate upon them; both for those who are ordained (bishops and priests) and the lay faithful.

The importance of "spiritual fatherhood" and being a "good shepherd" of the People of God is a central theme. We need spiritual fathers today, more than ever, in the persons of our bishops (who share apostolic succession with the first Apostles) and priests, who are their co-workers and representatives in the parishes, institutions and religious communities of the Holy Church throughout the world.

Pray for bishops, priests and deacons today. And please pray for a holy bishop for our Diocese of La Crosse, WI. We are presently without a bishop. Today is a very opportune moment for us to raise our minds, hearts and hands in imploring the Lord that he send us a bishop in the example of the Saints we celebrate today.

Ss. Timothy and Titus, pray for us!

Icon: from http://godzdogz.op.org/uploaded_images/tim-and-titus-766406.jpg

8 comments:

Adrienne said...

Will be praying for a good bishop for you...

Fr. John Mary, ISJ said...

Adrienne: Thank you! Much appreciated.

Austringer said...

Father, excuse my ignorance, which is immense: why would you be without a bishop for any period of time? Does the Pope or his office have to "vet" those who might be suggested by the outgoing or surrounding bishops?
I am ignorant of the process...here in the Archdiocese of St. Paul/Mpls., there seems to be a sort of progression of posts leading to the bishopric, though perhaps I am unwise to see any pattern in recent bishops being elected...

At any rate, I will pray that you receive a good shepherd!

Fr. John Mary, ISJ said...

Austringer: We have, at present, a diocesan administrator, appointed by the Consultors of the Diocese (a group of appointed priests) that will take care of administrative matters (unless only a bishop can approve) until the Holy See appoints a diocesan bishop.
Archbishop Listecki left on January 4 to become the Archbishop of Milwaukee (pray for him! he has a real burden there) and so now Msr. Richard Gilles is our diocesan administrator until we have an appointed Bishop.

Austringer said...

Thanks, Father, for the explanation. I will pray that you will recieve a solid, holy bishop.

Teresa said...

I will pray that you are blessed with a good and holy Bishop.

Maria said...

Padre: If you read this, it is now 2/12/10. I miss you. Where you been??

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