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.

WEDNESDAY, WEEK XVIII, ORDINARY TIME—Dedication of Saint Mary Major, Our Lady of the Snows, August 5

With age-old love I have loved you; so I have kept my mercy toward you. Again I will restore you, and you shall be rebuilt, O virgin Israel; Carrying your festive tambourines, you shall go forth dancing with the merrymakers. Again you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria; those who plant them shall enjoy the fruits. Yes, a day will come when the watchmen will call out on Mount Ephraim: “Rise up, let us go to Zion, to the LORD, our God.” (Jer 31:3-6)

The promise of restoration . . . but with age-old love. What a beautiful image! And dancing with tambourines! Today is also the feast of the dedication of the Arch-Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. It is also known as Our Lady of the Snows. Located in Belleville, Illinois, and near St. Louis, Missouri, the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows holds a special place in the heart of the Midwest.