Remember the Lord’s day is sacred

Last May, I was visiting two of our seminarians, Deacon Max Vetch and Dillon Johnson at the North American College in Rome. Dillon invited me to be part of The Lord’s Day Supper. I told Dillon that I was not sure what the Lord’s Day Supper was, but I assumed it had to do with Jesus, prayer and food and I was up for the encounter. I am so thankful that I said yes to Dillon’s invitation because I am still basking in the blessing from that Lord’s Supper way back in May.

It was an amazing encounter of prayer, food and fraternity. There were some twenty seminarians that were present for this Celebration of the Lord’s Day Supper. It began Saturday evening with appetizers, followed by Vespers/Evening Prayer, sharing of the Lord’s graces and blessings of the past week. What a great gift to hear the men share the many ways in which the Lord Jesus revealed himself and touched their hearts.

At the beginning of the meal, there is a prayer calling to mind that Jesus is the light of the world that shines in the darkness, a darkness that has not overcome the light of Christ.

A candle is then lit. The prayer concludes with, “Today we set aside the concerns of the week that we may honor the Lord and celebrate his resurrection. Today, we cease from our work in order to worship God and remember the eternal life to which He has called us. The Lord Himself is with us, to refresh and strengthen us. Let us welcome God among us and give him glory. Let us love one another in Christ. May the Holy Spirit be with us, to deepen our devotion to the Lord and to increase our zeal for the way of life He has given us.” Then the meal is blessed and shared.

After the meal, there is an opportunity to worship and to praise the Lord in song and to seek prayer for the upcoming week. That Lord’s Day Supper Celebration way back in May has renewed my own celebration of the Lord’s Day in my own life and in my priesthood, and I have been blessed to share it with the Newman Center Community, too, at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Since May, after Vespers/Evening Prayer on Saturday evenings, I light a candle to “kindle” in the Lord’s Day and I keep the candle lit until after I pray Compline/Night prayer on Sunday evening. (An excellent way to use up old Easter Candles.) It is a great reminder to me to keep the Lord’s Day Holy and Sacred. I come into my apartment at the Newman Center numerous times throughout the weekend and when I see that candle burning brightly it reminds me that the Lord’s Day is at hand, it is Jesus, Himself, who is the light of the world, which no darkness can overcome.

I have had several Lord’s Day Suppers at the Newman Center, trying to help our staff and students to see that the Lord’s Day is much more than an hour for Mass on Sundays. Katie Baltzer, Director of Operations for the Newman Center, shares this about her experience of the Lord’s Day Supper, “I loved the Lord’s Day Celebration. It was such a gift that Father Mark allowed us to invite friends from various Christian backgrounds to learn about evening prayer and experience this beautiful aspect of Catholic devotion. Together, we prayed and interceded for one another, enjoyed praise and worship music, and shared a meal, creating a comforting and joyful atmosphere. We lit a candle as a reminder of the Spirit’s presence, honoring the Lord’s Day throughout the evening and into Sunday night prayer. What a truly special gift!”

I would encourage you to try a Lord’s Day Supper Celebration in your home to help you to be more attentive and aware of keeping the Lord’s Day sacred and holy in your life. Perhaps invite your neighbors to join you.

If you would like a copy of the Lord’s Day Supper Prayer, please email Tanya Cooper in the vocation office at tcopper@diorc.org. Or if you would like to visit more about the Lord’s Day Supper, you can email me at mmccormick@diorc.org.

God bless,
Fr. Mark McCormick