`Consecrating’ the city; Not a city-sponsored event

GRANTS, N.M. — City of Grants Mayor Martin “Modey” Hicks called upon several priests to consecrate the city to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary and to Saint Joseph on October 28 at Fire and Ice Park in Grants.

This was not a city-sponsored event, the mayor said.

“This is a mayor-sponsored event,” explained Hicks who added that because of the coronavirus pandemic no permits have been issued by the city to allow any gatherings in the park, including all political and policesupport rallies. He believes that these events were an expression of the First Amendment.

With around 100 people in attendance, there was limited social distancing and very few people were wearing masks. The mayor explained that the consecration would begin with a “traditional” Catholic mass. By traditional, Hicks explained that the mass would be spoken in Latin, along with this the clergy in attendance did not conduct ceremony facing the people, instead he faced the altar, a practice known as ad orientum. The service was held in the rear parking lot near the United States Postal Office, and used the gazebo located nearest to the USPS building.

This is the practice of a Christian sect known as Pre Vatican 2. One person who attended the early morning event explained that Pre Vatican 2 is essentially the Catholic church before the year 1960. Multiple people were in attendance, very few of whom were local by their own admission. They explained that Mayor Hicks began attending their church in Albuquerque, N.M., recently and were delighted when the mayor requested that they consecrate the city.

“There are close to zero examples of what’s about to happen here today,” said Father Purdy, one of the clergy present. He had travelled from Texas to give the mass.

“We hope the example this man is going to set will set the world on fire,” the priest proclaimed during his homily. Turning political, the priest said, “This is the best thing [Mayor Hicks] can give his people; President Trump will see this, and it will be a great thing when he does.”

Multiple people were taking video of the event, with a drone flying over head controlled by one of the few socially distanced participants. As the Latin mass went on a few onlookers slowed down as they passed by and one family even stopped to witness the mass for a few minutes, leaving before the ceremony was concluded.

Once the mass was completed, the priests invited Mayor Hicks on stage, where he knelt before the altar and called upon the holy powers to consecrate the city.

First, the mayor began with the consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and read the following, “As Mayor of the City of Grants, I likewise consecrate my office and this entire city, with all of its inhabitants. I beseech Thee, through thine infinite Goodness, that this city be engraved upon thine heart.” (sic.)

Then, Mayor Hicks moved on to the consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, reading, “I consecrate myself and the city of Grants to thy Immaculate Heart. Take it from my fragile hands into thy own; defend it and guard it as thy property and possession. I give myself and all the citizens of this city to thee, that under thy motherly care, thou nurture within us a tender love of Jesus and make Him reign in all our undertakings.” (sic.)

Finally, the mayor moved on to the consecration to St. Joseph, reading, “As thou protected Christ, so we turn to thee to protect Grants. On behalf of all of its citizens, I consecrate to thee our minds and hearts. I offer to thee all the offices of government of this city; take them as your property and possession. May we all be the beneficiaries of thy paternity.” (sic.)

The full reading of Mayor Hick’s prayer can be picked up at the Cibola Citizen office.

When asked why the mayor opted to go with Pre Vatican 2 instead of the local Catholic community, he mentioned that he tried to consecrate the city once before with the help of local Catholic priests, but he felt that they were more worried about the COVID-19 virus than they were about shepherding the people. Mayor Hicks remarked earlier in the day that its not up to individuals to stop the virus, and that death comes at the will of God, not man.

Grants police officers and Chief Steve Chavez were present for a short time. They remained socially distant and left after a seeing that there was no commotion amongst the participants and onlookers.

(The Cibola Citizen took every precaution to maintain social distancing and adhere to COVID-19 restrictions while covering this event.)