Ave Caesar

Celebration of the Mass this weekend was a little bit more complicated than usual due to the crutches and “boots” I’m wearing. I had someone assist me in going up and down the sanctuary (which in my church is called “platform”, some even call it the “stage”!) and that worked fine. However, the issue of my vestments getting in the way of the crutches was raised by some concerned individuals, so my solution was innovative, challenging, and absolutely radical — the fiddleback!

Two things dawned upon me after celebrating two Masses wearing the fiddleback: 1) it’s cooler (literally and figuratively), and 2) it’s disabled-priest-friendly! Of course, not to mention it added Catholicity to the ambiance. Please look at the picture and see for your self. Surprisingly, I was never verbally or physically attacked by anyone or anything after both Masses were over!

While in Spring Grove, I had the wonderful opportunity to know Fr. Dietz, a saintly priest from the religious congregation Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the religious order of His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago. In fact, Fr. Dietz was one of the Cardinal’s professors in the seminary. Educated at the Gregorianum in Rome, and assigned to different mission posts here and abroad, Fr. Dietz is wisdom and experience personified. He has been assisting at St. Peter’s on a regular basis since he retired from active ministry. I also learned from Fr. Dietz that the Cardinal finished his theology degree from the same Roman university I graduated from – the Pontificia Universitas Urbaniana (Propaganda Fidei). I am so proud my university has produced at least one Cardinal (at least that I know of).