Return to your ‘Nazareth’

This letter from Archbishop Michael G. McGovern appeared in the Fall 2026 edition of The True Voice magazine. Copies of the magazine can be found at parishes across the archdiocese.

Dear Friends,

At the end of July, I traveled with our 25 Omaha seminarians to Chicago for a week. After morning Mass each day, we visited different churches and Catholic sites, including St. Ignatius College Prep on the near west side of the city. St. Ignatius is important to me not only because I attended high school there, but so did my four brothers, my father and my grandfather.

During our visit, the archivist for St. Ignatius presented me with a packet of information concerning my grandfather, Francis McGovern, from yearbooks and registers from his time at the school. I am very grateful to have received this information, particularly because my grandfather passed away many years ago even before my parents met one another. What the archivist shared has helped me better know my grandfather and what shaped his life as a young man.

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I mention all of this because I believe it is important to reflect on our own lives and share our personal history with children, grandchildren and the wider family. Sharing our stories of faith is especially important. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus returns to Nazareth, where He was raised by Mary and Joseph. I encourage each of our readers to take some time this autumn and return to your “Nazareth” by reflecting on your memories of growing up. Talk to God about your formative years. How did you meet Jesus in your home? In your community? Who were the people who taught you to meet the Lord in prayer?

As these memories fill your heart, you might take a moment to write some of them down in a journal. It could also be good to share some of your reflections with your children and grandchildren. Sharing our memories of what shaped our relationship with Jesus and our life with Him not only strengthens our faith, it can help others grow closer to the Lord as well.

As we are renewed by our reflection on our spiritual journey, I hope we can each offer to others our personal witness about how the Lord has shaped our lives. Let’s ask God to help us all to journey with Jesus in the coming weeks so that we may see the Lord more clearly, love Him more dearly and follow Him more nearly.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Archbishop Michael McGovern

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