This year marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Unlike many famous and powerful people in history, St. Francis, the poverello, “the little poor one,” has not been forgotten. He remains one of the most beloved and admired saints who ever lived. But the world he lived in couldn’t be more different than the one we inhabit. Yet this saint speaks to our hearts and speaks to our times like few others.

Twenty-five years ago, I was the newly installed Bishop of Bridgeport, Conn. I was still learning the rhythm of my new diocese – its priests, its people and its parishes – when routine meetings called me away to Washington, D.C., for a conference. It concluded Sept. 10, 2001. I flew back to the New York area with two friends, looking forward to spending the following day together. 

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a prominent priest and bishop of the 20th century. He was a brilliant philosophy professor at The Catholic University of America, the kind whose lectures drew students from all over campus. In the 1930s and ’40s, he hosted a weekly national radio program, “The Catholic Hour.” Millions listened to his talks.

On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will celebrate its 250th anniversary. This event will resonate in every corner of the land, but it has special significance for us in the Premier See, the Archdiocese of Baltimore. We are linked to this event both by history and by the virtue of patriotism.

Among the many beautiful feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary is the Visitation. This year it falls on a Sunday and so won’t be celebrated in the liturgy. Nevertheless, it should not be passed over in silence. Among its important lessons is the beauty of interior freedom – Mary’s interior freedom.

A most joyful day in my ministry as your bishop is the First Sunday of Lent when we celebrate the Rite of Election. It is a beautiful moment when the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen is filled to overflowing with those of you entering the Church, together with your godparents, sponsors, parish priests, catechists and friends.  

First, it’s fine to give up wine for Lent but it’s better to give up whining. Lent is the perfect time to examine ourselves. Do we whine too much? Second, let’s replace whining with mutual encouragement, bonds of charity, unity and fraternity.  

Lent is something we do together, as a community of believers, surrounded by the grace of God. We’re not alone; we accompany one another in our journey of repentance. As the Church’s “growing season,” Lent is rich in God’s graces.

Emptying and filling our interior buckets is hard work. In fact, it can’t be done apart from the grace of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who enables us to heed Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me, all you who are burdened and I will give you rest.” Jesus invites us to exchange our heavy yoke for his lighter burden – peace, forgiveness and thankfulness.  

The Jubilee of Hope, begun by Pope Francis and continued by Pope Leo XIV, reaches its pinnacle as we make our way through Advent toward the dazzling light of Christmas. It is a sacred moment for us to gather up our fears and anxieties, including those we absorb from the world around us, and entrust them to the Lord of history, the redeemer of the world.