“This is my first visit to St. Andrew Abbey (home of the Benedictine Order of Cleveland) and to Benedictine (High School),” Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost told the students, parents, faculty and staff who gathered in the abbey church for Mass recently.
His visit coincided with the feast of St. Joseph and included blessing the rings of juniors.
Bishop Woost reconnected with Auxiliary Bishop emeritus Roger Gries, OSB, who lives at the abbey in retirement. Bishop Gries and Abbot Gary Hoover concelebrated the liturgy along with several other Benedictine monks.
(See photo gallery above.)
The day’s Gospel recounted the circumstances of Jesus’ conception, the bishop said, recalling the angel’s visit to Mary, her “yes” to God when she agreed to be the mother of his Son and how Joseph handled her unexpected pregnancy.
“He was in a dilemma,” the bishop said, since they weren’t married yet and according to law, Mary could have been stoned. However, Joseph decided to divorce her quietly. “But God told him to take her as his wife. He did and her child became the savior of the world. God’s promise was fulfilled.”
The days readings were all about promises, the bishop said. “My question to you is what promises has God made to you?” he asked. “The Lord continues to speak to his Church, to all of us here today. It’s important for us to listen so we can walk in faith. Listen for the voice of the Lord. Isn’t that one of the Benedictine hallmarks? Listen for his voice with the ears of your heart.”
Bishop Woost reminded the Men of Benedictine that their coaches, teachers and others were there to help them grow academically, spiritually, athletically and in other ways. “They are here to help guide you. You’re called to form a brotherhood and to support each other,” he added.
But that requires effort on their part to learn how God’s promises would manifest in their lives. He told them to trust that God’s promises would be fulfilled.
“Today, we are blessing the rings for the junior class. These rings are a sign of promise,” he said. A wedding ring symbolizes the promise of a couple to be faithful to each other. Bishops wear a ring as a sign of love and fidelity to the faithful of their diocese. In addition, the class rings being presented to the juniors signify their connection to Benedictine and its traditions. “It’s a way of showing that promises are made and need to be fulfilled. I ask again, what promises did God make to you? Listen for the voice of the Lord. Trust that those promises will always be fulfilled. God never goes back on his promises to us,” he added.
After Mass, the bishop greeted students and then visited with the juniors and their parents as they enjoyed lunch and received their class rings from him and BHS Principal Dominic Fanelli.