The yearly Communion and Liberation Mass was celebrated earlier this evening by our friend Bishop Peter A. Rosazza, auxiliary bishop emeritus of the Archdiocese of Hartford, at Saint Mary’s Church, New Haven, CT. His homily focused on the young girl that had the vision of Our Lady of Lourdes, Saint Bernadette Soubirous.
The Sacrifice of the Mass is celebrated for the good of Communion and Liberation –that is, so that it remain faithful to the charism given it by the Holy Sprit and articulated by its founder, Monsignor Luigi Giussani and for the peaceful repose of the soul of Monsignor Giussani.
2011 recalls for us that today is the 29th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s approval as a valid charism for the Church. It is also the 6th anniversary of Giussani’s death.
Bishop Rosazza’s point to us was that Saint Bernadette Soubirous had sensitivity to life rooted in humility as she experienced it, and as it was revealed to her by the Blessed Mother. She was a peasant, unsophisticated and trusting. Her goodness was radiated in simplicity. The Saint’s humility brought herself to Christ, and others to know the Lord more intimately. The witness of Bernadette is exactly a model for us to concentrate our energies imitating in the work of conversion aided by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Here is the decree of CL’s papal approval: Decree of Recognition of CL 1982.pdf
If you are inclined to know more about what the charism of Communion and Liberation is, you might want to read Father Giussani’s October 5, 1993 article, “The Idea of Fraternity”: Idea of Fraternity.pdf