From time to time we hear of a Bishop going to Rome for a visit. Leaving aside the times when other business may call one of our present-day Apostles to the seat of Church government, there is one occasion if interest, because of its origin and antiquity. The Bishops of the Catholic Church make regular visits to Rome “Ad Limina,” by force of a very ancient custom.
The gospel of Luke tells us how the Apostles, whom Christ had sent forth to preach and teach, came back and told the Master what things they had done: “On their return the apostles told him what they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a city called Beth-saida (Lk. 9:10). This was the way when Christ counted His followers only a few hundred; and so it is today when his one billion plus children cover the face of the globe.
A Bishop’s visit “Ad Limina” brings with it a certain obligation of performing certain devotions and of giving an account to the proper authorities on the condition of his diocese. The Bishop will give to one or another of the Sacred Congregations the “relatio status,” or official account, of his see, telling of the number of priests in his diocese, of religious of both sexes, its Catholic and non-Catholic population, the number of its schools and other educational institutions, its seminary and everything pertaining to its staff and students.
In one way, the most pleasant part of a Bishop’s official visit is his reception by the Pope, which comes last of all.