These reflections are a result of more than 40 years of ministry as a Roman Catholic priest. Most of these years I spent in the Diocese of Charlotte which covers Western North Carolina. Now I am retired, and live in Medellín, Colombia where I continue to serve as a priest in the Archdiocese of Medellín.

Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, Rome, August 5

Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. (Mt 14:13-21)
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080524.cfm
The Feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew’s gospel highlights the importance of all the feeding stories in the gospels as well as the table ministry of Jesus. The Eucharist as we have it today comes directly from these stories. Saint Mary Major is one of the four major basilicas of the city of Rome: Saint Peter in the Vatican (November 18), Saint John Lateran (November 9) and Saint Paul Outside the Walls (November 18).