Holy Saturday 2019
Dear Fr. Allen and Corpus Christi Family,
The Triduum is upon all of us and we have begun that walk to Calvary and the Sepulchre. I am keeping all of you in my prayers during that time of Grand Silence for all of us here at the Abbey. Three days of silence prepares you for the Good Friday Reproaches as the cantor sings “My people what have I done unto you, in what way have I offended you, answer me.” Yet, our of sorrow due to our acknowledgement of our sins comes to a close as we remind ourselves of His Love through the Sacrifice so that we can then acclaim “The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia”. I pray all of us have used this Lent to become silent to the world and shout to the joy of the Kingdom.
This semester brought much activity, from a mission trip to Ecuador in January to hosting the annual Youth Fest and then the "Come & See," when young men from around Louisiana come to discern a call to the priesthood. I’m amazed at the faith that was found in remote villages in the Amazon rainforest in Ecuador. These people who have so little compared to what we take for granted each day still give thanks daily for God, their Lord & King for all their blessings. Watching high schoolers offering up their profession of faith as witnesses to God’s glory makes me assured that the Church is alive & then to hear the stories of the early callings of discernment by young men as they seek to serve that Church gives me hope of the Father’s love for his Bride.
On May 10th, I expect to graduate by God’s grace and my limited intelligence! Right after graduation I will travel to Houston where two of my seminarian brothers, Armando and Nathan, will be ordained to the Diaconate. Then I will fly home the next day for Bishop Lopes’ visit to Corpus Christi and for my niece’s first holy communion. After that I fly right back to Houston to interview at St Mary’s major seminary and then drive to the Archdiocese of Omaha for my summer assignment. I'm sorry I won’t have much time with y’all this summer. Regardless of where I am you are always in my prayers. I want to thank all of you for your support these last two years and really since I began this journey so many years ago, even while still an Episcopalian who heard Him call and came home to His One True Church. Thank you for your love. It is the most encouraging gift anyone can receive.
In Christ,
Robb Lester