Bishop Michael Burbidge at DMU Chapel Blessing Mass

0:09Dear friends in Christ, as father Sikorsky mentioned, both bishop Laverde and I, consider Divine Mercy University a treasure. As you carry out your work and your ministry and mission, you reveal to others that even in the midst of so many sufferings and tensions and setbacks and demands that people experience every day, peace is possible. After all, it's the gift the Lord promised to each one of us. All those associated with Divine Mercy University, as well as all those you educate and train. Convey to others that that peace is ours. When we truly recognize ourselves and see ourselves as sons and daughters, beloved sons and daughters of God, in whom his very spirit lives and dwells. Through your work and your ministry, you teach others that peace can be ours when we live a balanced life and pay careful attention to our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical well-being.

1:51And in a unique way, this university conveys to other the faith that is necessary if we are to experience peace, Faith in the healing love of Jesus, which he demonstrated in today's gospel as he visited Peter's mother-in-law. Faith in the power of Jesus to make all things new, including us. And yet, we are also well aware that we cannot be instruments of peace unless we are recipients of peace. The peace that is ours when we rest in the Lord. And thus, the need for this chapel, which is at the center, the heartbeat, Father said, of the university. For here, we celebrate God's promises to be with us always, to watch over us, to protect us, and to guide us. Here, the word of God is proclaimed to enlighten and inspire and guide us.

3:30Here, we can come to be silent and still and serene in his presence. Here, most especially, we are nourished and sustained by the precious gift of the Holy Eucharist, the source of our consolation and strength. And when everything we do at this university, all our work, all our initiatives are rooted in the Eucharist and flow from the Eucharist, then we can be assured as Saint Paul says today that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our minds and our hearts in Christ Jesus our Lord. In reference to this beautiful chapel, the university's website also adds these words. We are looking forward to this beautiful space for prayer and the sacraments, a place where we can bring our intentions and the mission of Divine Mercy University to the feet of our Lord and pray for his healing presence in our families, communities, and those we serve.

5:02Our chapel is especially dedicated to those suffering from mental afflictions, to their families and friends, and to those who seek to accompany, treat, and heal them. How beautiful that this chapel is named in honor of Saint Difna, virgin and martyr, patron of mental and nervous disorders. Through her powerful intercession and united with the prayers of Mary, our mother, Saint Faustina, and all the saints represented in this chapel, may it be a sacred place where we rest in the Lord so we can be recipients of His peace and instruments of His peace. May that precious gift, the gift of our Lord's peace, be with the Divine Mercy community, all those we train and educate, and especially all those we are privileged to serve on this joyful day and always.

6:29Amen.