Bishop Solis' Message for the Month of May

IC archive photo

Photo 1 of 2

Bishop Oscar A. Solis

Greetings of peace and love! The Easter message of light and newness of life rings loud in our nation and throughout the world as we come out from the darkness of the pandemic, from the many senseless killings, and the rising tide of racial violence and hateful sentiments against minorities and people of color. We cannot remain silent, and this requires from us more concrete action to help stop racial injustice and inequities in our society. This begins with each one of us recognizing and loving one another as brothers and sisters created in the image and likeness of God, gifted with equal human dignity, and our embracing each other as members of one global family.

These recent events can easily distract, frustrate and discourage us from focusing on the Easter message. But God remains with us and his abiding presence is manifest in a multitude of mysterious ways: in the myriad acts of goodness, compassion, charity and heroic sacrifices of many of our brethren.

There are other reminders as well. Our Holy Father’s call for “fraternity and social friendship to build a better, more just and peaceful world” in his most recent encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, inspires us to rise above these challenges. Likewise, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love” challenges us to help heal the effects of polarization brought by systemic and institutional racism in our society through our encounter with the living God in the person of Christ that can bring conversion of hearts.  

 The hope of a new normal and a beginning of a new life after the pandemic is upon us. Christ’s resurrection proves that the power of love, light and life are stronger than hatred, darkness and death. Let us remain firm in our faith.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, asks us to continue to pray. Our Church tradition expresses our love and devotion for the Blessed Virgin Mary during the month of May. He wants us “to rediscover the beauty of praying the rosary at home” and calls the faithful, families, and communities to recite it with him every day for the whole Marian month for an end to the pandemic.

He stated that “the restrictions of the pandemic have made us come to appreciate all the more this ‘family’ aspect, also from a spiritual point of view. By contemplating the face of Christ with the heart of Mary, our Mother will make us even more united as a spiritual family and will help us overcome this time of trial.” Pope Francis ends his letter with the promise of his prayers for all of us “especially those suffering most greatly” and he asks for our prayers as well. (Pope Francis, Letter for the Month of May, April 25, 2020)

As we continue to celebrate the Year of St. Joseph, let us not forget to seek his intercession. The Holy Father described Saint Joseph’s life as “so close to our own human experience,” and observed that “the Lord desires to shape the hearts of fathers and mothers: hearts that are open, capable of great initiatives, generous in self-giving, compassionate in comforting anxieties and steadfast in strengthening hopes.” (Message, World Day of Prayer for Vocations). May we all learn from him to become obedient children of God and willing disciples of Christ.