On Monday, June 15 of this year, the faithful at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal in Philadlphia, Pennsylvania (USA) were together to celebrate the Eucharist closing the annual “Novena of Hope” hosted by the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. This year the assembly was blessed with the presence of Bishop Joseph C. Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton.

Delving deeply into the scriptures and framed by the image of a damaged Pietà, Bishop Bambera gives an example of what a homily in the Vincentian tradition can be. Using images and stories of Mary, he builds our faith in Jesus and and in his loving Father. Is Bishop Bambera a member of the Congregation of the Mission, or the Religious of St. Vincent de Paul or the Vincentian Congregation? No. But he was trained by the Priests of the Mission at the Vincentian seminary in Pennsylvania, and it shows. It’s well worth the listen.