Jun 11 2018
Pope Benedict Emeritus tells us that we have lost the sacramental idea. In our contemporary world, we see all reality in terms of function and practicality. We have reduced all things to matter and matter to material that is to be used. We do not see all of reality open to eternity. No wonder then that regular attendance at Mass and participation in all the sacraments has declined. We perceive them as empty rituals that do not fulfill our desires for immediate gratification. It is as Jesus says through the Prophet Isaiah: “Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them” (Mt 13:15).
How do we rediscover the sacramental idea? How do we renew the great gift of the liturgy? How do we bring people back to the Church? Pope Benedict Emeritus speaks to this great challenge. Perhaps he has some wisdom for us.
Fr. Colin Wen was born and raised in Palo Alto, CA. He received his BA in Sociology at UC Davis in 2005 before spending a year in Los Angeles volunteering on skidrow. From there he discerned a calling to the priesthood, joining the Diocese of Sacramento and entering St. Patrick’s Seminary in 2006, where he spent his first two years of pre-theology. In 2008, he was sent to Rome to complete his theological studies, receiving an STB as well as an STL in Moral Theology at the Angelicum. He was ordained in 2013 and has served in Grass Valley, Nevada City, Downieville, and Dixon. On July 1st, 2014, Bishop Soto appointed him as Parochial Vicar at St. Vincent Ferrer in Vallejo. And on July 1st, 2017 he was appointed as Parochial Administrator of St. Katharine Drexel in Amador County.