Edwin O’Brien, the archbishop of Baltimore, visited Curley High School yesterday and presided over liturgy for us! It was so nice to meet the archbishop and that he could join us. Before he came to Baltimore, he was the archbishop of the United States military.

I really liked his homily on freedom. He spoke of the Holy Father’s visit with the young people at Dunwoodie Seminary in New York. In the visit, the Holy Father spoke of not allowing the meaning of freedom to be corrupted in such a way that leads to death and despair.

Archbishop O’Brien shared the story of Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan, a Vietnamese bishop, who was in solitary confinement for 9 years by the Communist. During the time he came to the insight that he was to be preoccupied with God, rather than the things of God. I found that to be an awesome insight and a good examen for me this year. I can spend so much time talking about God and a reminder is the need to also maintain and cultivate my relationship with him!

It was a great visit and the kids were impressed by how personable and friendly he was.

peace and prayers,
friar Matt