Bishop Harrington's Message
Hot Cross Buns
Every season, in particular liturgical seasons, have their own special
traditions and customs. As the present generations of grandparents
and parents, we have the responsibility to "pass on these devotions
and customs" to the next generation.
Though Christmas and Easter traditions are most familiar, it is
important to highlight and celebrate the other religious seasons
of which Lent is one of them. The more common Lenten traditions
are ashes on Ash Wednesday, the palms of Palm Sunday, the Rice Bowl
for almsgiving, and the devotion of the Stations of the Cross, usually
each Friday of Lent.
Another way of teaching about Lent is Hot Cross Buns. Personally,
I am not a great fan of hot cross buns, but I think the idea and
lesson behind their creation and use is beneficial to the overall
keeping of Lent. Hot cross buns are special. They are only available
during the Lenten season, most often on Ash Wednesday and certainly
Good Friday. Hot cross buns are usually made of a sweet spicy dough,
with raisins and currents in it, topped with icing shaped in the
form of a cross. Thus, hot cross buns!
Like everything else in our faith, the tradition goes back to the
earliest and medieval times of the Catholic Church. There already
existed a pagan sacramental cake eaten by the Anglo-Saxons in honor
of their goddess Eastore. Well, it didn't take much to make this
custom into a Christian traditional, by simply putting a cross on
top of the bun and serving it during Lent.
I called two of my favorite bakeries, Bloedow's in Winona, and Schmidt's
in St. James to get their special recipes of this Lenten tradition.
I have also included my Irish Mom's best recipe, Macaroni and Cheese,
which was served every Friday during Lent. By her own admission,
she never considered herself a great cook. But somehow, this little
Irish lady made the best macaroni and cheese that even Kraft can't
match. I think in some ways, it was the large buttered breadcrumbs
on top of the macaroni and cheese. In the baking, they would be
toasted golden brown -- what a delight! To this day, I keep thinking
that Lent should not be this great. Macaroni and cheese and hot
cross buns!
Perpetual adoration - for Lent and alway
Lent
is a perfect time to work toward establishing perpetual adoration
in your parish. Our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, wrote this in
this apostolic letter Mane Nobiscum Domine (Stay With Us, Lord):
"During this year, Eucharistic adoration outside Mass should
become a particular commitment for individual parish and religious
communities. Let us take the time to kneel before Jesus present
in the Eucharist, in order to make reparation by our faith and love
for the acts of carelessness and neglect, and even the insults which
our Savior must endure in many parts of the world."
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament can be particularly powerful.
I ask those participating to especially direct your prayers toward
vocations to the priesthood. We must pray, pray, pray, that men
will answer the call to serve the Church here in the Diocese of
Winona and worldwide.
Recently, the National Catholic Register newspaper furnished six
steps toward establishing perpetual adoration in your parish. I
furnish these steps here because I think they will be helpful as
parishes in the Diocese of Winona work toward the goal of perpetual
adoration.
- Get your pastor's support (a must).
- Find a devoted coordinator who will find team leaders responsible
for blocks of hours.
- Poll the parish to gauge interest and commitment. This is vital
-- once exposed, the Blessed Sacrament must never be left alone.
- Prepare a church space or chapel. Include a rack for Bibles,
the Catechism and other devotional and prayer aids.
- Bring in a weekend speak to motivate and educate parishioners
about perpetual adoration.
- Invite your bishop to institute adoration after a Sunday Mass.
If you ask me, I will come!
For more information on establishing perpetual adoration in your
parish, look online at therealpresence.org
or perpetualadoration.org
, or call the diocesan Liturgy Office.
Lent - a season of sacrifice
Finally,
I remind you that the Annual Diocesan Appeal is just around the
corner. Catholics in the Diocese of Winona have been tremendously
generous in so many ways. Just look at the stories in this edition
of The Courier about funding for clergy formation and faith formation
and the generous response to the tsunami disaster.
However, it is important for us to support the ADA because it funds
the programs and projects that make the Diocese of Winona the vibrant
church that it is. Please be generous, during this Lenten season
of sacrifice, in considering your contribution to the Annual Diocesan
Appeal.
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