Sister Millicent told us fifth graders that at every hour of the day, all around the world, the same Mass was being celebrated. Of course, since Vatican II while the Mass is celebrated at every hour around the world it is now celebrated in a rich chorus of voices with diverse musical accompaniment. This difference reflects the unity of the Church in the full spectrum of humanity. Today is the feast of the Chair of Peter, a reminder of the unity of the Church centered on the office of the Pope as the successor of Peter. Pope Francis has reversed the recent tendency to envision the church as a giant melting pot and instead sees it as more of a fruit salad with many flavors.
