After journey of sorrow, look to Resurrection, Virginia bishop urges

Published: 2007-04-23

BLACKSBURG, Va. (CNS) -- Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo of Richmond told an overflow gathering of students, faculty and families April 22 at Virginia Tech that rushing to experience the joy of the Resurrection while they are actually feeling pain and confusion "would be terribly unrealistic." In his homily during Mass on the university campus in Blacksburg, the bishop said, "We as a community have not quite caught up to the joy of the Resurrection yet, because of the tragedy we are living. People's emotions are anything but joyful." He reminded the faithful assembled at Memorial Chapel that the message of Christ's resurrection would be there to answer their questions when the community emerges from its grief over the April 16 tragedy that left 33 people dead. "We need to start the journey of Jesus' passion over," Bishop DiLorenzo explained, noting "the fog of emotion" that surrounds the community in facing "the senseless act of violence where so many have passed away." The bishop also celebrated an evening Mass April 21 at St. Mary Church in Blacksburg.

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