From the Pastor

St. Peter’s Without the Crowds

Many European cities are complaining about the hoards of tourists they have been dealing with since the end of the pandemic. Last summer, there were demonstrations in Barcelona and several other Spanish cities pleading for limits on tourists. In October 2023, I visited Florence and Rome, and despite the height of the tourist season supposedly being over, the crowds were immense. It took two and a half hours to get through security and into the Vatican Basilica. Luckily, we had an excellent guide who explained much of the architecture and history of St. Peter’s Square and the Basilica, which kept us occupied and made the wait more tolerable. 

Crowds in Rome won’t be any smaller this summer because, on Christmas Eve, Pope Francis will break through the bricks that seal St. Peter’s Holy Year Door and usher in the beginning of the Holy Year 2025. For centuries, the Church has proclaimed a year of mercy every twenty-five years. This tradition is rooted in the jubilee years of forgiveness of debts and the return of land as stipulated in Sacred Scripture. On occasion, the pope will declare an extraordinary jubilee year. 

Holy Years usually bring incredible crowds of tourists to Rome as pilgrims seek to pass through St. Peter’s Holy Door and the Holy Doors of the three other Major Roman Basilicas, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. Pilgrims receive a plenary indulgence for passing through the doors, celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and receiving the Eucharist within a set number of days. 

Some observers have been discouraging pilgrims to Rome because of the expected crush of tourists. If you were considering a trip to the Vatican but now feel disheartened by the crowds, you have an alternative. A few weeks ago, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the Vatican official responsible for the care of St. Peter’s, announced the development of a digital twin of St. Peter’s set to launch on Sunday using cutting-edge technology. 

The model results from collaboration between the Vatican, Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, and a French company, Iconem. Technicians using drones, high-resolution cameras, and laser imaging took 400,000 pictures of the Basilica and developed an ultra-precise 3D model of St. Peter’s. They aimed to create a tool to preserve and share the Basilica’s historical, artistic, and spiritual wealth for a global audience. Cardinal Gambetti said the pictures are so precise that the cameras observed small cracks and missing tiles from some mosaics. The cameras detected even small spider nests in St. Peter’s Dome. 

So, if you were considering a trip to Rome but are now shying away because of the crowds, you can tour St. Peters using this tour. I understand that a Boston television news program gave viewers a preview a few mornings ago. It might satisfy your yearning to visit the Basilica, at least for this year.

You don’t necessarily have to make a pilgrimage to Rome to satisfy your desire to receive the plenary indulgence the Holy Year offers. There are several other major churches throughout the world. North America’s only holy door is in Quebec City at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. If you have never been to Quebec City, I recommend it. It is a bit of the Old World close to us.

It is also a tradition for bishops to designate local churches as sites for pilgrims. I don’t know when or if Bishop Da Cunha will pick a diocesan church for that purpose, but I’ll let you know when I hear. I wish you a happy, holy, and healthy Holy Year 2025.   

George Lane to Receive the Marian Medal

Parishioner George Lane will receive the Marian Medal from Bishop Edgar Da Cunha at a Prayer Service at St. Mary’s Cathedral on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Marian Medal is the Diocese of Fall River’s highest service award. George is an exemplary parishioner. He, his wife Thea, and daughter Aimee have been parishioners since retiring to Chatham from Harrisburg, PA. George is a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. He was a member of the Parish Pastoral Council for several years. Most recently, George has been indispensable as the small faith-sharing group coordinator. He has a passion for them, and that has enabled their success. We are deeply grateful to him for his service to the parish. Please congratulate George when you see him and show appreciation by joining a small group!

It’s Advent!

This weekend marks the beginning of Advent and a new Liturgical Year. Advent is our season of preparation for celebrating the Incarnation of Jesus Christ in human form. It is a penitential season, but not as strict as Lent. It is an excellent time to practice fasting and be more devoted to prayer. We will have an Advent Reconciliation Service next Sunday, December 8, at 3 p.m. Fr. Sullivan will be assisted by a couple of other priests. Plan to come and experience God’s loving mercy as a preparation for Christmas. 

Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass

Married couples celebrating a significant wedding anniversary in 2025 are invited to renew their wedding vows with Most Rev. Edgar M. DaCunha, S.D.V., D.D., at the Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass, Sunday, February 9, 2025, at a 3:00 p.m. Mass at the cathedral of the St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street, Fall River, MA 02721. To register, please contact the Parish Office at 508-945-0677. 

Hurricane Relief Collection

We pledged the proceeds from our All Souls Day Book of the Dead envelopes as a parish donation for the victims of Hurricanes Milton and Helene. We sent gifts amounting to $4,116.00 to Catholic Charities USA. Thank you to everyone who donated. We pray those affected by the storm will soon be restored to their homes.