‘Make Us Whole’: Parish hosts healing service, part of Eucharistic Revival

Jesus is “the divine physician who came to heal us, the sick, and to make us whole,” a prominent theologian told parishioners at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish in Flemington.

Dr. David Hajduk, director of theology at Array of Hope and an adjunct professor of theology at Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology at Seton Hall University, was featured speaker as part of a three-night Advent mission series that was part of the National Eucharistic Revival. Each night included music by the band AOH Music, teaching from a noted speaker, prayers for healing, and fellowship.

Hajduk, who has more than 30 years of experience in religious education and pastoral ministry, emphasized that “Peace is the tranquility of order,” but added that original sin, or the disobedience of God in the Garden of Eden, was the breaking of that order. He said God promised to restore order through Jesus, and he quoted a number of healing passages from Scripture. 

“Tonight, Jesus is on the road and in the house. What do you want from Jesus? Emotional, spiritual, and physical need for curing,” he said at the Dec.3-5 mission events.

Array of Hope, based in Old Tappan, works to use media as a conduit to deliver faith; this includes original music, films and events. 

In the crowded parish chapel of St. Magdalen, Mario Costabile, founder and director of Array of Hope, thanked Father James De Fillipps, pastor, for welcoming his organization.

After Hajduk’s talk, Father Luke Mary Fletcher, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, processed from the rear of the chapel to the main altar with the monstrance carrying the Blessed Sacrament, as AOH accompanied with “O Salutaris Hostia.”

Father Fletcher, who also serves as chaplain for the National Blue Army Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, Asbury, spoke about when the centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant. He said Catholics make a similar request during the Mass, before Communion: “But only say the word, and my soul shall be healed.”

“I’ve been to many healing Masses and seen many people healed. I tell you what you don’t hear at Mass: Just prior to Communion, the priest bends over the host and prays silently for healing.” He joked that he recently hurt his knee playing basketball and so he can’t yet genuflect, but he promised to do so as soon as his knee is healed. 

Father Fletcher spoke of his road to his vocation. He described his early life of curiosity about God, but said as a teenager he fell away, became at odds with his parents, and caused both him and them suffering. He said in October 1990 he had an epiphany at a rock concert that led to his religious conversion. He joined the Franciscans in the Bronx and once, during Eucharistic Adoration, he beheld the smoke from the incense in the thurible form a heart around the host. This led to his gratitude for returning to his child-like love of God, a long and winding road that brought him to St. Mary Magdalen. 

All of this was precursor to the actual healing service, during which parishioners approached and kneeled at the altar while Father Fletcher presented the host-encased monstrance to each one, inviting them to encounter Jesus. AOH Music accompanied with songs such as “How Great Is Our God” and “I Exalt Thee,” closing the liturgy with the hymn “Tantum Ergo Sacramentum.” 

St. Mary Magdalen Parish is planning a series of similar liturgies, once each month, January through May.