ROME - As Bishop Robert Gruss prepares to return home from his “ad limina” visit at the Vatican, the people of the Diocese of Saginaw have been near to him in his prayers and in his heart. While celebrating Holy Eucharist at all four major basilicas in Rome, Bishop Gruss asked for the intercession of St. Peter, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, and the Blessed Mother Mary.
He shares with you the following:
In the celebration of the Eucharist at each of these basilicas, know that you were prayed for in a very special way. I offered the Mass for all of you, the people of the Diocese of Saginaw, and for your intentions.
I asked the Lord to renew in his love and mercy the faith of the people of this diocese. I prayed, through the intercession of these saints, for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Diocese, that all of us might experience a deeper life in Christ Jesus – a life for which each of them gave their life.
I deeply trust that the Lord hears our prayers, and ask that you open your hearts to the gifts which I prayed for you. The Lord Jesus never ceases to hear our prayers and provide for us what we need most.
I believe that the graces of this Ad Limina will bear fruit for all of us in the Diocese of Saginaw. This is my Advent hope.
I look forward to my return on Saturday. Please pray for me! Wishing you peace and joy in Christ.
Bishop Gruss traveled to Rome this week with fellow bishops from Michigan and Ohio for an “ad limina” visit. While there, he reported on the status of our diocese, met with Pope Francis and leaders of various Vatican departments, he made a pilgrimage to the tombs of St. Peter and St. Paul and celebrated Mass at all four major basilicas in Rome.
Read Bishop Gruss’ entire message, written on Thursday, Dec. 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
The Ad Limina visit for the bishops of Region 6 (Michigan and Ohio) is about to come to an end. Our last meeting with the dicasteries is Friday and we will all be on our way home on Saturday morning. Though each day was filled to the brim, what a blessing it has been.
An important part of the Ad Limina visit is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at all four major basilicas in Rome. They include St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls and St. Mary Major. Today we celebrated Mass at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Our pilgrimage for daily Mass to these four sites has been an inspiring and beautiful experience of fraternity among the bishops, gathering to enter into the mystery of Christ’s love and mercy in the Eucharist. It has been a time for us to seek the intercession of St. Peter, St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist, St. Paul, and of course, our beautiful Blessed Mother Mary for our life and ministry as bishops.
In the celebration of the Eucharist at each of these basilicas, know that you were prayed for in a very special way. I offered the Mass for all of you, the people of the Diocese of Saginaw, and for your intentions.
I asked the Lord to renew in his love and mercy the faith of the people of this diocese. I prayed, through the intercession of these saints, for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Diocese, that all of us might experience a deeper life in Christ Jesus – a life for which each of them gave their life.
I deeply trust that the Lord hears our prayers, and ask that you open your hearts to the gifts which I prayed for you. The Lord Jesus never ceases to hear our prayers and provide for us what we need most.
I believe that the graces of this Ad Limina will bear fruit for all of us in the Diocese of Saginaw. This is my Advent hope.
I look forward to my return on Saturday. Please pray for me! Wishing you peace and joy in Christ.