Peace in the Land

After many years of trying to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, I finally fulfilled this desire in February of 2023. Every time I had planned on visiting the places where Our Lord was born, suffered His Passion and Death on the Cross, rose from the dead, something prevented my going. The most recent was a return of COVID to Israel in 2022. The following year the way was cleared for me.  I believe this came through the intercession of Our Lady. The pilgrimage was wonderful. Grace upon grace was poured out during those two weeks in the Holy Land.  Every day I yearn to go back
           
On October 7, the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, a terrible conflict began in the Holy Land.  It caused the capture of so many innocent people and tremendous loss of life.

When I first heard the shocking news, my thoughts went back to kneeling in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher at the place traditionally known to be the site of the Crucifixion of Our Lord. On that spot, there is an altar behind which are images of Our Lord on the Cross with his Sorrowful Mother on His right, and St. John the Beloved on His left.  They are beautifully painted in the eastern style of icons. Our Lady has her hands folded over her heart. On her face, there is a gaze of tender, exquisitely beautiful, and sorrowful  love directed toward her Son. Hearing of the bloodshed and seeing in my mind the beautiful scene of Christ’s sacrifice, I begged Our Sorrowful Mother to take the suffering people of the Holy Land into that embrace. On that hill of Calvary, Jesus entrusted St. John, and with him every person, to His Mother. I feel sure that in these times of bloodshed in the land of Jesus, His Mother is surely watching over the many victims of sorrow and pain.
           
We must remember that Calvary is not a place of defeat. Rather, it is a place of the ultimate victory. The death of Jesus on the Cross ensures the defeat of the enemy and his evil designs. When people are surrounded by the darkness of evil deeds that kill, separate families, destroy children and infants, and bring terror, they are caught up in the embrace of God and His Mother.
           
We, too, are caught up in that union of the two Hearts, the Heart that was pierced through by the centurion’s lance and the heart that was pierced by the sword of sorrow over the death of her Son.  In that embrace our prayers are powerful for the protection and the good of people.
           
In these days of darkness and evil, we must implore the Mother whose Heart is so filled with compassion for those who suffer. With confidence, we turn to her and ask her to place her mantle over the land where she and her Son lived. We ask her to bring the hostages back to their families. We ask her to protect those who suffer because of this conflict, especially the most vulnerable, children, expectant mothers and the babies they carry, the elderly, the infirmed and the disabled. We beg of her who is the Queen of Peace, to bring peace from the Heart of her Son, the Prince of Peace, to the land hallowed by His presence.
           
Following the example and plea of Our Holy Father Pope Francis, let us fast and pray for peace in the land of Our Lord. Let us open our hearts to our brothers and sisters who so suffer.  Let us have confidence that this conflict that began on the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary will be ended through the intercession of this Mother who so loves her children.
           
Our Lady, Queen of Peace, Pray for us!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh