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A Marian grotto is seen in a screenshot of a Facebook post by St. Charles and St. Matthias pastor Father Dave Ghiorso, who announced that he will livestream Mass at 5 p.m. March 18. Father Ghiorso is walking each morning between the two churches under his pastorship to open the doors to those seeking private prayer or just peace and quiet. (Catholic San Francisco)
March 18, 2020
Rick DelVecchio
Catholic San Francisco
One pastor in a locked-down Archdiocese of San Francisco is putting “the way of the Cross” into action literally, making a two-mile morning pilgrimage between the two suburban churches under his pastorship, carrying with him two crucifixes close to this heart and opening and closing the doors of both churches for those seeking private prayer or just peace and quiet.
Father Dave Ghiorso
Father Dave Ghiorso, pastor of St. Charles Parish in San Carlos and St. Matthias in Redwood City, is sharing his journey as “your wandering padre” on the parish website and social media.
“On my morning walk between the churches of St. Charles and St. Matthias I carry two crosses,” he wrote in a March 18 message. “One is the cross given to me by my father (more on that later), the other a small comfort cross carried on my pilgrimages. This cross was made by Phil, a parishioner. During pilgrimage hikes this cross is normally in my pocket although it is made and its purpose is to cradle in one’s hand. This is because hiking poles are often in use. But on these morning walks poles are not needed and I can carry the cross.
“By accident I discovered a wonderful gift with the cross in my hand,” Father Ghiorso continued. “I carry it in my right hand as it seems to nestle there quite nicely. When I meet someone my natural instinct is to reach out to greet them but the cross reminds me of the need presently for social distancing.
"When someone drives by and recognizes me, usually tooting the horn, I once again instinctively raise my hand in a wave," he wrote. "Such a small object made with care and love cradled in my hand being raised as if imparting a blessing. The presence of our Lord is ever with us, but especially in these trying times."
With all Mass gatherings in the archdiocese canceled indefinitely to hinder spread of the coronavirus, Father Ghiorso is trying to keep to a schedule of opening St. Charles by 7 a.m. and then starting the walk through the neighborhoods to open St. Matthias before 8. The doors stay open until at least 4.
“Hand sanitizer is right inside the door to use, so please keep safe,” said Father Ghiorso, who has been pastor of St. Charles since 2005.
“If you see me walking by give out a shout so I may raise my hand in prayer and blessing,” he said, closing “In Faith Hope and Love” as “Your Wandering Padre.”
Archbishop Cordileone has asked that pastors or their designates celebrate one private Mass a day and keep churches open for private prayer, provided urgent public health advisories to limit social contact are heeded.
“I and some brave souls continue to try and put the daily Mass online but no promises as we work through some issues,” said Father Ghiorso, who shared in a later Facebook post that 5 p.m. Mass is on by livestreaming.
Father Dave Ghiorso is making a daily pilgrimage to open the doors of St. Charles and St. Matthias churches in San Carlos and Redwood City respectively.
In a March 16 post, Father Ghiorso shared the experience of waking to an unprecedented day in his life and priesthood.
“For the first time in my life, for the first time in my priesthood, there was no Mass celebrated where I live,” he wrote. “I went online to see what was [happening] in Italy and to see how the Holy Father, Pope Francis, was spending his day as the churches in Rome are also closed. He was making a pilgrimage from St. Peter’s the Basilica of St. Mary Major and to a cross that traversed Rome during the plague of 1522. He traversed alone except for a small detail of security following him.
Father Ghiorso noted that St. Charles Parish is named after St. Charles Borromeo, who ministered and served in Milan during that plague.
“Large processions following the Blessed Sacrament or this cross were common as the people were called to prayer to end the plague,” he wrote. “St. Charles Borromeo is depicted in the large mosaic on the doors of the church [holding] aloft the Blessed Sacrament before a throng of victims. His dedication and love for the Lord and he people entrusted to his care kept him in Milan while others fled in fear and panic."
Such large gatherings, including Masses and other group forms of prayer, are not possible or even prudent now, he continued. “But one thing has not changed -- our need to pray. Pray alone, pray with our partners, pray with those we live with.
“As your pastor, that is presently all I can do you for you … PRAY. … Daily I will walk between St Charles and St. Matthias to open the doors of our churches, to invite those who wish to stop by for quiet and prayer. We are not alone and this will be our finest hour I do believe.”