Bishop Wall of Gallup

I was early for Mass this morning, but the place was already as packed as any ordinary Sunday. Before the music began we were seating people with shoe horns. Fr. John even had to make an announcement about moving to the center so people could find places to sit. We started late because people just kept on coming in.

It was a very special Sunday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Phoenix. Our former Pastor, Fr. John Wall, was returning for a special Mass before leaving for Gallup, New Mexico to be installed as their new Bishop.

Fr. Wall has been special to our family for several years. He was my daughter, Esther's, spiritual director for a while. He's been a real encouragement to us both.

I always knew that Fr. Wall was special. When our Bishop snatched him to be the Vicar of Priests I was very disappointed. He had been such a bulwark of orthodoxy at St. Thomas. But I believe the Bishop understood that and left St. Thomas to Fr. John, Fr. Wall's friend and another guardian of orthodoxy. Fr. Wall has that kind of gentle spirit that tells you he knows the Lord intimately. You know you can trust him to sense and follow the Lord's leadership in all things. He is also a model of obedience to the Holy Father and Bishop Olmsted.

But what I love most about Bishop Elect Wall, is that he loves the Lord Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. His reverence for the Blessed Sacrament and all things Holy set the tone for St. Thomas. It was why we started driving past many other Parishes to attend there.

So there we are this morning, watching all three of our Priests, two of our Deacons, and Bishop Elect Wall process in. When I caught sight of his pink cap (I know there's a real name for it and someone will help me out with that) I nearly cried. What a beautiful thing. Apostolic succession being lived out right here in our Parish. I've been reading The Four Witnesses, and I'm constantly awestruck by how two thousand years has not changed the beauty and authenticity of Sacred Tradition.

Bless you Lord for your Holy Catholic Church. Bless Bishop Elect Wall as he goes to feed your lambs in Gallup.