My bishop, John M. Quinn along with bishop-emeritus Bernard Harrington, vicar general Rev. Richard Colletti and vicar of the clergy Fr. Tom Melvin are in Rome this week for the ad limina. As you probably are aware, about every 5 years each diocesan bishop is required to make a trip to Rome to present the state of affairs of his diocese to the Holy Father. While there, they make pilgrimmages to the major basilicas of the city: St. Peter’s, St. Paul-outside-the-walls, St. Mary Major, and St. John Lateran. It is also a time for the bishop to make this pilgrimmage with other bishops from his region, in Winona’s case, Region VIII inclusive of all Minnesota, and North and South Dakota.
I have been praying for Bishop Quinn during his travels. I trust this will be a time of renewal of his episcopal ministry. I have to admit, I am a little jealous too of Fr. Colletti. He and I were students together in Rome back in 1977-78 when we lived at the North American College and attended the Gregorian University. Before he left for Rome last week, I asked him to have a plate of ricciarelli, gnocchi, and a bit of prosciutto for me. I truly miss these Italian culinary delights!
The Catholic News Service has an article today regarding this. Read it at (www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1200899.htm). Bishop Quinn and the other Region VIII bishops were at the Basilica of St. Mary Major offering Mass in the Borghese Chapel (a gorgeous chapel to the side of the main altar). The homily, given by Archbishop Nienstedt of St. Paul and Minneapolis, centered on Mary, appropriately enough given the location. He called her “the mother of us poor bishops,” noting that she “continues to stand by the cross in solidarity” with bishops, in solidarity “with people in their unique trials” and with the pope “as he experiences the great burdens of his his office.”
Pray for the diocese of Winona today and her bishops, priests and deacons. Thank you.
