Something unusual happened at Mass one Tuesday in June. I had woken up very early that morning so I was a bit sleepy at the 9:00 am Mass. At one point I had a *long blink* and while my eyes were shut I “heard” these words: parallel unity.
That got my attention! Upon reflection, it seemed to tie in with the appeal which Fr. Iannuzzi has been promoting, that as many people as possible would sign a petition to Pope Leo XIV and Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, for One Date of Easter.
The two will meet at a symposium in Nicaea in November to commemorate the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of 325. Please read Fr. Iannuzzi’s full message here: Petition for One Date of Easter.
A couple of weeks later, I was at St. Joseph Basilica in my Archdiocese. It came to me suddenly that the Basilica pipe organ was a perfect example of parallel unity. Each pipe stands next to the other, emiting its unique tone immediately when prompted.
Each pipe sounds fine on its own. But united in parallel unity with the other pipes, the harmonies become magnificent and compelling, haunting and majestic. The masterpiece is greater than the sum of its parts.
If a static pipe organ can evoke such awe and wonder, think of the effect the parallel unity of the Christian churches will inspire.
It is near, dear brothers and sisters, so near! Let us sign and send the petition without delay. Let us remember to pray in the Divine Will for this symposium to bear the fruit of unity and harmony, that God’s will may be done on earth as in heaven. Fiat!
This image beautifully depicts parallel unity. It is not the St. Joseph Basilica organ but Saint Alain’s Cathedral, Lavaur, France.
Lavaur Cathedral, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons (edges cropped from original)
Children of the Divine Will of Luisa Piccarreta 