The Diary of the 137th Annual Novena to St. Anne
St. Anne Shrine – Fiskdale
Administrated by the Assumptionist
The fourth night of our Novena began with the Rosary procession with Vietnamese women carrying the statue of Saint Anne. The Glorious Mysteries were said by a parishioner in English, and by a Vietnamese parishioner from Worcester.
Father Peter Tam Bui, from Our Lady of Vilna Church in Worcester was the celebrant. He was joined by Father Chi Ai Nguyen, a.a., Assumptionist Provincial.
In Father Bui’s homily, he talked about how we all are at the Novena to honor Saint Anne. He prayed that we are all able to learn from her example, draw inspiration from her, cultivate her heart of compassion, deepen our prayer life and draw closer to her grandson, Jesus Christ, truly present in the Eucharist.
In today’s Gospel, Mark 6:30-24, Jesus invited us to rest. He reminds us of his unceasing care; He sees us and understands us. He is always there to offer us not just rest, but renewal.
We all have our own desert place, and we need that place. However, true rest is finding peace in our heart and soul, from Jesus Christ, from the Eucharist.
Father Bui concluded his homily with a prayer that we trust in His compassion as he leads us to that place of rest and renewal. We all share the eternal meal in the Eucharist and look to Jesus as He embraces each one of us.
