Fr. Bob’s Spiritual Reflection – 04/02/2025
What a great symbol for this season of Lent.
I am currently conducting a Parish Mission at Holy Family Church in Hilton Head, South Carolina and upon entering the church for the first time I saw the beautiful crucifix above the tabernacle.
What a great symbol for this season of Lent. All of salvation history is captured in this symbol. Jesus spent his Lent, his forty days preparing for this moment of salvation. It was so nice to have this beautiful crucifix for this Lenten Mission. It is 20 feet high carved from a tree in Italy and shipped here. It’s been a blessing to celebrate in its presence.
Today another gift from Italy is remembered. It is the feast day of St. Francis of Paola, Italy. Francis spent most his life living Lent. His love of prayer and meditation was evident every day. He formed a group of friars to focus on these two things and the group became a religious order. I’m sure Francis would have loved this crucifix.