RIDGEFIELD, CT, May 20 — The Parish of St. Mary in Ridgefield, Connecticut, was host to a visit by the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, featuring solemn Vespers in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, a Eucharistic procession through the parish, and benediction.
Monsignor Kevin Royal, pastor of St. Mary's, presided at the Vespers, led the Eucharistic Procession, and did benediction both within the Church as well as at a local park during the afternoon procession. Bishop Frank Caggiano of Bridgeport participated in Vespers and in the procession.
During the Vespers for the Memorial of Mary, Mother of the Church, Father Roger Landry, a National Eucharistic Preacher appointed by the US Bishops in 2022 and chaplain for the Seton (eastern) Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage preached on the text of the reading from Vespers: "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to ransom those under the law, so that we might receive adoption" (Gal 4:45).
Father Landry underlined that when the incarnation happened at the fullness of time, not only were were privileged through baptism to become adopted sons and daughters of God, but also, because of Jesus' gift of Mary to his beloved disciple on Calvary, adopted sons and daughters of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church.
Father Landry said that to call Mary Mother of the Church has a Eucharistic resonance, because, as the early saints used to say, "the Eucharist makes the Church," because Jesus in Holy Communion forms of into one Body.
The priest of the Diocese of Fall River attempted to show that Mary illustrates all four pillars of the parish phase of the Eucharistic Revival: Revitalization of Worship, Adoration and Personal Encounter, Robust Passing On of the Faith, and finally, Mission.
To listen to Father Landry's homily, please click here.