Junior Eryn Cornwell distributes ashes to Bishop Dennis Walsh during Mass March 5 in Christ the King Chapel at St. Ambrose University in Davenport.
By Anne Marie Amacher
The Catholic Messenger
DAVENPORT — As students walked through the gathering space of Christ the King Chapel to attend Mass on Ash Wednesday, they had an opportunity to pick up informational cards titled “What is Lent?” that offered Lenten ideas.
The card described Lent as “a period of prayer, fasting and charity for Christians during the 40 days before Easter.” Other information included rules for Lenten fasting and abstaining, reconciliation and Mass times throughout the week, adoration, Bible study, Stations of the Cross, prayer groups and CRS Rice Bowl collection details.
Bishop Dennis Walsh presided at the 9:15 p.m. Mass on Ash Wednesday in a full Christ the King Chapel. The university’s chaplain, Father Dale Mallory concelebrated.
During his homily, Bishop Walsh reflected on a 1986 film about Jesuit missionaries and slave trading in the 18th century titled “The Mission,” which has “had a huge impact upon my own life,” he said. One of the simple characters, he noted, is Rodrigo Mendoza, an Indian slave trader in Brazil portrayed by Robert De Niro. Rodrigo returns from one of his journeys and learns that the woman he loves has been unfaithful to him — with his own brother. “She finally confesses to him that she doesn’t love him, but she loves somebody else,” bishop said.
Rodrigo, overcome with rage, draws his sword and kills his brother. In remorse, as part of his penance, he follows the Jesuits and gives his life to them. When Rodrigo and the Jesuits get to an area where they must climb to the top of the falls, he gathers his armor, sword and helmet in a net. He starts to climb, but falls. He gets up and tries again and again with his heavy net of armor. One missionary attempts to intervene but his superior says, “No. It’s his penance.”
Eventually Rodrigo makes it to the top. There an Indian chief takes out his knife. Rodrigo is fearful that the chief will kill him. “But he cuts the rope. And it tumbles down the falls. Rodrigo is overcome with joy. He has received the extraordinary mercy of God. He has experienced forgiveness for the first time in his life,” Bishop Walsh says.
Redemption that comes from taking up one’s own cross is “something that will change your life forever, to know that you are redeemed and wanted. … That is what hope is all about,” the bishop said. Then he explained the three pillars of Lent — prayer, fasting and almsgiving. “Lent is all about penance and sacrifice. Climb up that hill. Do penance. That is what Lent is all about. But why do we do it? Why do we sacrifice?” The bishop said through the 40 days of Lent you “give yourself completely to the Lord. Come Good Friday, standing at the foot of the cross, overcome by the extraordinary love of Jesus Christ for you, it’s better than reading about. Better than hearing about it. It’s about experiencing it.”
He encouraged the gathering to take their Lent seriously. “A great mentor of mine, Father Bill Richters, used to say, ‘have an excruciating Lent.’ He meant that Lent is a time to give love to your neighbor. To hunger for God’s love. May you have an excruciating Lent.”
Bishop Walsh, Father Mallory and several students distributed ashes. Later, as Mass concluded, Bishop Walsh blessed CRS Rice Bowls for the students. The fundraising project is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Father Mallory, noting that many students do not have a lot of money to spare, encouraged them to do the best they could.
Senior Andrew Goldermann from Davenport said he loved the Mass with bishop presiding. “It was very spiritual.” Goldermann said he plans to give up swearing for Lent. He admits that he “swears like a sailor.” He also hopes to add more prayer in his life. Junior Eryn Cornwell of Quincy, Illinois, said the atmosphere at the Mass was “astounding. It really brought the students together.”
