Many years ago, I was asked to give a presentation on the Blessed Virgin Mary. There are so many ways one could talk about Mary— as our model of discipleship, as mother, as queen—but I chose as my focus “Mary was not a size two.” The title drew a crowd, and the crowd had a wonderful time thinking about who Mary was in history and who Mary is to us today.

One of my favorite moments of the Church year is the procession to the font at the Easter Vigil Mass. No matter what setting of the Litany of the Saints you may sing at your parish, there is something wonderful about making our way to the font with those to be baptized as we call upon the saints and angels in song. It is at that point in our Church year when I most physically and spiritually feel that I am part of the Communion of Saints—the communion of pilgrims on Earth, the dead who are being purified, and the blessed in Heaven (see Catechism of the Catholic Church 962). I am always filled with joy as I process with those who are going to enter into this holy communion through the Sacrament of Baptism.