
Memorial of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, virgin and doctor of the Church

Today's readings weave together the lofty ideal of Christian leadership and the tender compassion of Christ, the Good Shepherd, showing us that true authority is always founded on loving service.

Bishop Noel Saw Naw Aye encouraged the sisters to meditate on the cross and wear their crucifixes meaningfully as they prepare for a lifelong commitment.

Bishop Henry Eikhlein of Pathein Diocese delivered a homily that framed the Cross not as a symbol of defeat, but of ultimate Christian victory.

As the great Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “It is easy to find truth; it is hard to face it, and harder still to follow it.”

Fr. Alphonse Aung Ko Latt, parish priest of St. Francis Xavier Parish, acknowledged the challenges, noting that the church and Marian Shrine had sustained damage in an earthquake and required repairs.

The Cross is not a sign of defeat, but the ultimate expression of a divine love so profound it willingly embraces utter humiliation for our sake.

The overwhelming mercy of Christ that saves us, and the call to build a life that radiates that mercy in return.

The Word of God today speaks directly into our personal history, offering us the healing gaze of Divine Mercy and the gentle, firm call to allow that mercy to transform us from the inside out.

Bishop Henry Eikhlein issued a direct call to the young generation, urging them to embrace the future by following the example of missionaries who “sowed the seeds of faith, often at the cost of their very lives.”