Bishop Deeley celebrates St. Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral

"Top o' the mornin' to you!" That is how Bishop Robert Deeley greeted the faithful attending the annual St. Patrick's Day Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday, March 17. St. Patrick has particular significance in the Diocese of Portland given the rich history of Irish in Maine, as well as his status as a secondary patron of the diocese.

Bishop Deeley shared the story of St. Patrick, who was born in England, taken into captivity at that age of 16 and brought to Ireland. He was forced to care for flocks and became lonely and depressed over his slavery. He began to pray and come to know God. He escaped during this sixth year of captivity and returned to England. He heard the voice of God calling him to act and then dreamed the Irish asked him to come back. After 20 years, he did return to Ireland as a bishop, bringing the gift of his faith.

"With the grace of God, he preached fearlessly and worked tirelessly to strengthen the Christian faith among a people who lived at the edge of the earth," Bishop Deeley said in his homily. "We might pray to him today as our patron, asking him to help us to bring the good news of the Gospel to those we meet in our lives."

Bishop Deeley's parents immigrated to the United States from County Galway, Ireland. During he Mass, the bishop blessed pots of clovers, which were then distributed at the conclusion of the celebration.

He reminded all that while the Mass was to celebrate St. Patrick, it also marked an important part of Lent. 

"Sometimes we get the impression that Lent is about us, our fasting, our sacrifices. It is good to remind ourselves that, in all things, God’s love is shown to us first. Before we respond to God with our sacrifices and our care for others, God has already embraced us in his love for us. It is that very love of God in Jesus Christ that we see powerfully shown forth in the Gospel this morning."

The Gospel reading was the story of Lazarus rising from the dead, a reading related to the rites of scrutiny for the elect of the parish. The Mass marked the third and final scrutiny for the catechumens. The rites of scrutiny are part of the period of purification and enlightenment for catechumens participating in the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults and Children.