Memorial of Sts. Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop

Today's Mass Readings

In a Strange Land

In 1980, the first Slav pope, Pope John Paul II declared Sts. Cyril and Methodius co-patron saints of Europe, together with St. Benedict of Nursia. Born in Thessalonica, Greece, in the 9^th century AD, Cyril and Methodius were two brothers who were very influential in evangelizing among the Slavic peoples throughout Central Europe and beyond.

In 2010, When I was studying abroad in Prague, Czechia (the Czech Republic), I discovered a large and beautiful church named after Sts. Cyril and Methodius. You can see a picture of it and read about it here (link). It was toward the end of my 6-week program, and I was feeling rather homesick. Even though I really enjoyed my time there, and I can claim some Slavic ancestry, I still felt like a foreigner in a strange land.

But when I discovered the church and walked around its perimeter, admiring its amazing architecture and beautiful exterior carvings, I felt a sense of peace and comfort come over me. These were holy grounds. It was a cool, sunny day in July, the start of the weekend. I checked the time for Sunday Mass and came back then.

Although the liturgy was in Czech, I could still follow along in my Roman Missal. After the Mass, there was some kind of special ceremony during which lights were turned on inside the ciborium—a decorated canopy supported by columns, free-standing in the sanctuary (like a baldachin). Although I didn’t understand what the occasion was, the joy and faith I sensed among the congregation made me joyful and happy. Indeed, it was a beautiful sight.

For the Journey:

Have you ever been a foreigner in a strange land? Or have you ever visited a church or holy site and felt a sense of awe and peace? Perhaps you know or have seen someone in your parish or at work who may feel like a foreigner. Pray for that person and perhaps introduce yourself.

Reflection by Br. Luke Kral, OSB