From the Pastor's Desk March 16, 2025

Dear Parishioners

The "Lamb of God" prayer, or Agnus Dei, resonates deeply within the heart of the Catholic Mass, embodying rich theological and liturgical significance. Recited during the Communion Rite, following the breaking of the bread, this invocation serves as a poignant reminder of Christ's profound love and sacrifice for humanity.

When we invoke the title "Lamb of God," we are drawn into a sacred narrative steeped in Scripture and tradition. This powerful designation, first proclaimed by John the Baptist in the Gospel of John, invites us to recognize Jesus as the ultimate sacrificial lamb—one who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29). In this way, the Agnus Dei connects us to the Jewish heritage of the Passover lamb, whose blood marked the doorposts of the Israelites, granting them freedom and protection from death.

Through the words of this prayer, we encounter the themes of atonement and redemption. By identifying Jesus as the Lamb, we are reminded of His mission to redeem us through His suffering and sacrificial death. The repeated invocations of “have mercy on us” and “grant us peace” resonate as heartfelt pleas from the faithful, echoing our deep yearning for divine mercy and the peace that flows from reconciliation with God.

Blessings,

Fr. Andrew