138th annual St. Ann novena highlights the major Councils of the Church

Laura Keener

Editor

The major councils of the Church were highlighted at St. Ann Church, Covington, as the mission celebrated its 138th annual St. Ann Novena, July 18–26. Father Aby Thampi, pastor, welcomed a variety of diocesan priests and deacons to preach each night of the novena. Father Eric Boelscher, pastor, St. Joseph Parish, Crescent Springs, was celebrant and homilist on evening five; his topic was the Lateran Councils.

A quick show-of-hands survey determined that attendees were not adept on their knowledge of the Lateran Councils, alleviating any fact-checking, Father Boelscher humorously acknowledged. The Lateran Councils are five ecumenical councils that were held at the Lateran Palace in Rome over the course of about 400 years — First (1123), Second (1139), Third (1179), Fourth (1215), and Fifth (1512-1517).

It was a time, Father Boelscher said, when Church leaders couldn’t agree on almost anything. The first three councils occurred in quick succession because of this inability. And while there was an abundance of issues to discuss, during the fourth council Church leaders were determined to at least agree on the basics and were able to formally define the doctrine of transubstantiation, stating that in the Eucharist, the bread and wine are substantially changed into the Body and Blood of Christ.

“There is one thing we need to agree on, we all need to be real clear about who this is on the altar at each Mass. And once we get that, every promise and problem will be taken care of. All we are supposed to do is go and tell everyone we have seen the Lord,” Father Boelscher said.

Every evening of the novena has been recorded and is available for viewing on the “Saint John and Saint Ann Churches” Facebook page.