The highlight of the bicentennial activities was the celebration of the Solemnity of the Precious Blood at the Basilica of St. John Lateran on July 1. Over a thousand people gathered in the majestic worship space to participate in the eucharist. Bishop Joseph Charron, C.PP.S. presided at the liturgy and Bishop Erwin Kräutler, C.PP.S. preached. Over a hundred concelebrants were present. The assembly was led in music by the choir from St. Gaspar parish.
The dream of St. Gaspar, to have a thousand tongues to proclaim the Precious Blood, was woven throughout the liturgy. First, before the liturgy began, the relics of St. Gaspar were welcomed by the canons of the basilica and then they were carried in and placed at the foot of the altar. Gaspar’s desire to proclaim the reconciliation of all people through the blood of the Cross was manifested in the diverse languages and cultures present in the liturgy. The Word of God was proclaimed in various languages and the assembly sang in Italian, English, Croatian, and Latin. And finally, just as Gaspar reached out to those on the edges of society, in his homily Bishop Kräutler challenged everyone present to be like St. Gaspar and to go out to the periphery of society to proclaim God’s love.
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