In the Wasteland of Richmond

My husband and I are in Richmond this weekend at the Knights of Columbus convention. I never sleep well in a strange bed so I decided to skip the 7:00 a.m. Mass at the hotel and go to a local church later. I checked out two on the web that were only a few miles away: St. Edward the Confessor and Epiphany of the Lord. St. Edwards had an orthodox-looking website and a schedule that included 9:00 a.m. "daily" Mass so I barely looked at Epiphany's site, just the mission statement which sounded a little too touchy-feely.

So off I went next morning to St. Edward's arriving about six minutes to nine. Hmm...didn't look good. No cars in the parking lot. But I got out anyway and checked the doors - locked up tight. I peered through the glass and saw a roomy foyer with an attractive wooden statue of St. Edward.

I was walking back toward my car when I saw a gentleman coming out of the rectory opposite the church. He stopped when I called out to him asking whether there was a morning Mass. He didn't know, but volunteered to get me a bulletin. So we walked over to the rectory door where two other men were locking up. They agreed there was no Saturday Mass. ("Daily" Mass apparently excludes Saturdays unless you count the Saturday afternoon vigil Mass for Sunday.)

The gentlemen were very cordial and friendly and directed me to Epiphany of the Lord which "might" have a Saturday morning Mass. I suggested they change the website to read "no Saturday morning Mass" to save visitors like me the frustration of a fruitless trip. Then off I went again on my quest knowing I would be late if, in fact, there was a Mass at Epiphany.

But I needn't have worried about walking in late. The parking lot at Epiphany was also almost empty. But at least the doors were open and I went in. The Church, which was obviously built in the days of parish multi-purpose centers, was inside and off to the right of a large vestibule. I walked through the glass doors and looked for the sanctuary light and the tabernacle -- none in sight. No crucifix either, only a large bare cross on the wall behind the altar. Well, it wasn't bare exactly. It was covered with something -- artificial flowers perhaps? I suspect it was part of the Easter decorations that will disappear after Pentecost. I didn't get close enough to check it out.

I went back into the foyer where I heard voices. Three men were sitting in a side chapel talking. (Was this the day for three-man meetings?) I asked about morning Mass and they assured me that there wasn't one. They pondered for a moment and said that St. Bridget's "across the river" was the only church in the area that they knew had Mass every morning. None of the six men I spoke to seemed to have any concern about no Mass on Saturdays, the only day that some working men can attend daily Mass. I found that sad.

Obviously it was too late (9:15) to make a morning Mass (St. Bridget's does, in fact, celebrate the Eucharist at 8:00 a.m ), so I asked where the Blessed Sacrament was and they directed me to a room further in off the chapel where I found a "tabernacle" that was a large wooden box on legs with a keyhole. The only thing that distinguished it from an ordinary storage unit was some decorative inlays. The sanctuary lamp was lit and I knelt down to say my rosary and apologize to Jesus for being relegated to a box in the "closet." At least the little room had a beautiful banner of the Epiphany on the back wall. I pondered whether the rectory that houses the priest is as plain as that box that houses the King of King and Lord of Lords.

I had a similar experience in Virginia Beach a few years ago - going on a quest for morning Mass and finding nothing but empty parking lots and locked churches. None of this surprises me. Under its previous bishop, Walter Sullivan, vocations in the Diocese of Richmond dried up and disappeared. His was the age of good men barred from the priesthood by feminist nuns and liberal psychologists labeling the orthodox as too "rigid" for opposing homosexuality and women's ordination. They, not the sensitive, tolerant homosexuals, were considered unfit for the priesthood. Circuit priests manning multiple parishes became the rule as the number of priests declined.

Have things improved under Bishop DiLorenzo? I can't say, although my experience this weekend was not promising. Additionally, I know a wonderful orthodox priest from the diocese who was forced out as pastor a few years ago and denied another active assignment. Instead he now lives in residence at a parish and volunteers his services to those who appreciate a faithful son of Mary preaching their retreat or day of reflection. What a loss to his previous parish which I think has no priest still and, in general, to the people of God. He stops by regularly for a short visit, enroute from one place or another, and I always ponder with sorrow the state of the Church that sees bishops putting men like him out to pasture in their prime. He, on the other hand, is cheerful. He has few dealings with the chancery and is free from the burdens of administration which are so much a part of a pastor's life.

My Saturday morning pilgrimage over, as I sit here at the desk in my hotel room. I ponder once more Jesus' words, "When I return will I find any faith on the earth?"