“Profoundly devout and humble bishop. Very approachable and with a heart filled with love for Jesus Christ and His Church.”
You are very right. Our Traditional Latin Mass community is based in a church that has just been acquired by the Maronites from the Archdiocese of New York. We had a small dinner a few weeks ago that included representatives of the 3 rites (Novus Ordo, Maronite, Tridentine)that call this parish “home.”
We had the chance to meet and sppeak with Bishop Mansour: he is an impressive man, and as you have said, a man of great faith and humility.
Do you mind my inquiring as to the location of this parish?
We had the chance to meet and sppeak with Bishop Mansour: he is an impressive man, and as you have said, a man of great faith and humility.
My childhood was pre VCII, and the Latin Mass was the only one we knew. Post VCII, I was a teen and adjusted without questioning. 20 years ago I relocated from LI to the Capital District. Prior to the move,, a neighbor who had resided up here for some time, prepared me for the progressive approach of Bishop Hubbard. He did not exaggerate - if anything, it was worse than the image he projected. After battling liturgical abuse in my parish, I asked our Lord to guide me to a "holy priest, a reverent liturgy and a community where my God-given abilities could be of service". Long story, short, I stepped into a Maronite parish one Sunday and knew I was home.
A few weeks later, the pastor invited us to attend the installation of the new bishop. We were 8 and drove down to Brooklyn. It was my first encounter with Bishop Mansour. His humility impressed me the most. He has driven up to our parish several times to celebrate the Christmas Novena, our centennial, and last year to dedicate the 160 y/o (former Methodist / Episcopal) Church into which we moved.
On one of his visits, we talked about prayer and I asked him for some guidance above and beyond the rosary. He pointed me towards the Prayer of the Faithful (daily office) and even offered to help me procure a copy of the 3 volume set. I have been praying it ever since and love the time spent each day immersed in the Psalms, prayers and scripture readings.