From the Bishop’s Desk

Easter Message

On Holy Thursday, we listened to the first verse of John 13, which begins the Last Supper discourse and concludes with Chapter 17. I believe these first words of the Last Supper discourse capture the heart of Jesus mission, "Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world, and he loved them to the end."

 Jesus knew that the time of his mission had come to fulfillment. One scripture scholar suggests that a better translation for the last part of this verse is that "he loved them to perfection."  It was this unbridled love that he unleashes at the Last Supper, instituting the priesthood and the Mass that drives him to the sacrifice on Calvary. It is this divine perfection of love that embraces the horrific torture and violence of the passion and Crucifixion. Jesus's surrender to the Father in the outpouring of his body and blood from the Cross becomes united to the Last Supper, forming a new covenant with all of humanity.

 The perfection of divine love is understood and encountered in the person of Jesus Christ, rising from the dead. He opens the gates of Hell and leads the faithful to the promised land of the Kingdom of Heaven. 

 Throughout the Easter season, we will reflect on the various post-resurrection appearances of Christ to his disciples. As they scattered at the Crucifixion and huddled in fear and confusion, Jesus appears to them and, breathing the Holy Spirit upon them, says, "Peace be with you."  The perfection of resurrected divine love is unleashed into the Church. This is the mission and life breath of the Church. We are commissioned like the Apostles to go forth and be fearless witnesses of the Resurrection. We are invited to unleash divine love and prayers into our world, where there is violence, war, hatred, and division.

Each of us is created as a vessel for an encounter with the Risen Christ, one that is renewing, healing, and forming a covenant with him. Invite someone to this encounter during the Easter season by inviting them to attend Mass, pray the rosary or Divine Mercy Chaplet, or send them an Easter message of Christ's desire to pour forth the perfection of divine love into their souls.

 Happy Easter to all! May the Risen Christ bring you and your family renewed hope and healing!

Lenten Messages

The Gospel reading from the first Sunday of Lent tells us that "Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil." Before beginning his public ministry as an adult, Jesus spent forty days and forty nights in the desert to prepare for his battle with Satan.

How did he prepare? He prepared through prayer and fasting. United to the Father and Holy Spirit, he faced Satan as a communion of persons.

The Catechism describes Satan as "a fallen angel who sinned against God." Pope Francis reminds us that Satan is real and seeks to disrupt our lives. Through our baptism, we become intimately united with the Holy Trinity, a bond that is renewed in the Sacrament of Penance and the Holy Eucharist, giving us the strength to resist the daily temptations of Satan.

Lent is a time to make a special effort to unite ourselves with Christ through prayer and fasting. Let us not give Satan a chance this Lent; let us unite with Christ and become unconquerable!

Listen in Spanish / Escucha en Español

 

PILGRIMAGE OF HOPE: Bishop Chad W. Zielinski of New Ulm blesses the Headwaters of the Minnesota River near Ortonville early at 6 a.m. on the morning of June 25, 2025. Also pictured are (back) Deacon Paul Treinen and Fr. Shawn Polman from the Spirit of Life Area Faith Community (Ortonville, Rosen, and Madison), and Diocese of New Ulm seminarian Matthew Colllins of Murdock, Minn., one of the seven Pilgrimage of Hope pilgrims.

Reflections on Bishop Zielinski’s one year anniversary in the Diocese of New Ulm