DetroitPilgrim: Saint Charles Borromeo

The ancient church was few in numbers and often persecuted. With no designated building to worship in and the need to worship in secret the early Christians met in houses. As the number of believers grew these houses must have grown crowded and uncomfortable, warm with the heat of bodies. And yet despite the obvious discomforts and fear of persecution these believers continued to come for Mass, they continued to gather around the table and share the body and blood of our Savior. Despite having to risk their earthly lives to worship the ancient church grew, attracting ever more people eager to hear the Good News.

I was reminded of all this when I attended weekday Mass at Saint Charles Borromeo in Detroit. Navigating through a forlorn neighborhood of Detroit, I arrived at the church nestled on the edge of the hip West Village area. As I ascended the steps to the church a lone figure sitting at the top step told me that Mass is celebrated in the rectory on Wednesdays. So off to the rectory I went and rang the doorbell. The man who answered turned out to be the parish priest, he introduced himself and his dog and invited me in. Mass was celebrated in the dining room at a heavy wood table that must have been as old as the house itself. The warm wood had a faint zebra pattern to the grain and gleamed with years of careful polish. Set to the side of the table was the heavy silver vessel holding the body of our Lord.

Seven of us gathered around the table to celebrate Mass and I couldn't help reflecting on the ancient church. We gathered around this table to share the Good News, united in Christ. Mass was followed by coffee and cake and we sat and talked and got to know one another. The early Christians must have done a similar thing after Mass, taking time to share food and getting to know their fellow believers.

Over two thousand years and we still are gathering at His table.