The Church celebrates Mary in May, focusing on our most loving Mother. Through her joyful consent to the Holy Spirit, she bore and raised Christ Jesus, the Word Incarnate. Through him, we are given a second chance at unity with the Father in grace.

Mary, preserved from original sin, was favored by God to be the new Eve, a mother in whom we find a compassionate advocate. Through her intercession, our sacrifices and prayers become a sweeter and purified oblation to the King of Kings: Jesus Christ, her son and our Lord.

In this edition, we cover the topics of grief and loss broadly in the stories of those who have undergone such sorrows and those who assist them through. Thankfully, we have been reminded of God’s perfect mercy through the celebration of Christ’s victorious resurrection at Easter, plus the feast of Divine Mercy. In the same way that he transformed death by his rising, let us run to Jesus and offer our own grief and struggles to Him to be transformed, through the intercession of Our Lady of Sorrows. Then, let us act in mercy to all our neighbors and family members who are suffering, and to imitate Mary in our love.

We dedicate our diocese and this state to restoring all things in Christ, guided by the hand of our Queen and Mother. I pray that her mantle covers and protects us from the snares of the enemy, and that her strong example gives us the courage to evangelize all those our lives touch through word and deed.

May God bless and keep you all.

In the Lord’s peace,

Most Rev. Jacques Fabre-Jeune, CS

Bishop of Charleston