On Thursday, I met with new president of Merrimack College, Dr. Christopher Hopey.

With Dr. Hopey and Father Raymond Delugos of Merrimack College

Prior to coming to Merrimack, Dr. Hopey was vice president and dean at Northeastern University, where he oversaw many of the university’s academic programs. Before that he was vice dean of the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania.

Merrimack was established by the Augustinians shortly after the end of World War II. I am very pleased that the friars have recommitted to their sponsorship and support of Merrimack College, and hope to send more religious there.

- – -

Friday, I attended the funeral Mass of long-time BC High football coach Jim Cotter, who passed away after a long bout with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

His funeral Mass was in the McNeice Pavilion at BC High where he had spent decades working with young men there as a history teacher, guidance counselor and coach.

Although I was somewhat surprised when I heard of the venue, when I saw the number of people who were there I realized that not many churches could have accommodated that size crowd. And besides, the funeral was at the place where he had served so many for so long.

Fr. Myles Sheehan S.J., Provincial for the Jesuits of the New England Province, was the principal celebrant and offered a wonderful homily that focused us on the faith that sustained Coach Cotter. Coach’s daughter, Grace Cotter Regan, offered a heartfelt and moving reflection; her words gave great honor to her father and were a tribute to his many achievements.

In my comments I mentioned that Lou Gehrig’s Disease is such a terrible disease that induces many people to embrace immoral solutions such as physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia.

However, in the case of Coach Cotter, he was surrounded with love and his long suffering was a witness of courage and faith, and of the preciousness of human life. His family was there with him.

He was an outstanding Catholic layman. We think of the generations of priests and religious brothers and sisters that have run these schools; but here is a layman who, for his whole life, has given to Catholic education. His faith and sense of mission were foremost in his life. The outpouring of support for him and tribute of his funeral were a very striking witness to the whole community.

May he rest in peace.

- – -

That afternoon, Sister Olga Yaqob and a group from Boston University came to visit me at the Cathedral.

They brought me a beautiful icon for the Year for Priests.

They had originally planned to give it to me at their closing celebration of the Year for Priests but unfortunately, I was called away to the funeral of an old friend at the same time I was supposed to visit BU.

The icon was written (an iconographer will tell you icons are “written”, not painted or drawn) by Marek Czarnecki, the same iconographer who gave the USCCB the rights to use the image of his Icon of Christ the High Priest during the Year for Priests. It is based on a 15th century Greek prototype.

Sister Olga explained that Marek first wrote this Icon about seven years ago for seminarians and priests to be able to see Christ in themselves and themselves in Christ.

It is truly a beautiful image. I have placed it in the chapel at the Cathedral rectory.

Sister’s group of young people (one of whom was the sister of Father Jonathan Gaspar, one of my priest secretaries) are very much involved in promoting vocations and giving great witness of the Catholic faith at BU.

It is always a great pleasure to be with them.

- – -

Sunday, I celebrated Mass for the Sisters of St. Joseph at Bethany Health Care Center, their assisted living residence in Framingham.

The Sisters of St. Joseph have a remarkable retirement home for their sisters. Members of other religious communities and lay people live there too, though the majority of the residents are Sisters of St. Joseph.

The sisters told me that every year there is an inspection of all the nursing homes in the state and theirs is always rated among the best.

We had a lovely Mass with the sisters and those who were unable to come to the chapel had closed-circuit televisions, so they could watch the Mass from their rooms.

Afterwards, I went around visiting the sisters in their various units.

A number of sisters are over 100, and one of them I met is still very active.

These sisters have given so much to Catholic education and were the teachers of thousands upon thousands of people who were the beneficiaries of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. It was wonderful to be with them and to celebrate the Eucharist with them.

- – -

That afternoon at the Cathedral chapel, I baptized Charles Robert Phelps, the second child of Joshua and Meredith Phelps. Josh works in our pastoral planning department.

The godparents were Josh’s brother, Jeff, and Meredith’s sister, Becca Lee.

As I told them, in the early Church the bishops used to do all baptisms and confirmations, and they were both administered at the same time.

Over the years in the Latin rite, we have separated confirmations and baptisms, but bishops still do the confirmations.

For me it is always a great joy to still be able to do baptisms, the moment when our spiritual journey with Christ really begins.

- – -

That evening, I had dinner with some of the Capuchin friars of my province. They were in the area because of their involvement in Steubenville East, a conference for teens and parish youth ministers that was held that weekend at the University of Rhode Island.  It is organized by Life Teen.

A number of young people from our archdiocese were there as well. I asked them to share some of their photos of the event with you.

- – -

Later that evening, I joined the active and retired bishops in the archdiocese, and our two new bishops-elect, for a social evening at St. James Rectory in the Chinatown section of Boston. Bishop Robert Hennessey, Auxiliary Bishop for the Central Region, hosted the evening of prayer, camaraderie and dinner. The dinner was facilitated by seminarians who assist Bishop Hennessey from time to time.  (Though I did not join them for dinner because I had already eaten.)

At Bishop Hennessey’s request, there was no agenda for the evening and no meeting, just a time for fraternity, and no one objected to that!  I am grateful for his having provided us the time together.

- – -

On Wednesday, we rededicated St. Therese Chapel, a chapel run by the Carmelites at the North Shore Mall in Peabody.

They have refurbished the chapel and it is lovely.

They were celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the chapel that the Carmelite friars have been staffing for 50 years since Cardinal Cushing initiated it at that mall. I understand the Carmelites are one of only two remaining original tenants of the mall.

Cardinal Cushing with plans for the new Carmelite Chapel in 1959

The place was packed with people. They do an extraordinary ministry there with the Eucharist, confession, adoration, and prayer groups. Also, they have a Catholic gift shop there. It really is a very important presence at the mall.

Masses are offered there three times per day, with confessions 30 minutes before each Mass. Saturday vigil Masses are offered at 4:00 and 5:30.

We have three such ministries in the archdiocese, including the North Shore Mall.

The Oblates of the Virgin Mary are running the St. Francis Chapel at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay.

And the Atonement Friars staff the Chapel of Our Savior at the Westgate Mall in Brockton.

This is a very important ministry. Many people take advantage of the accessibility of these facilities when they are out shopping and with their families. It really is a great service. We are grateful to the three religious communities for staffing these chapels.

- – -

Also on Wednesday, Father Gabe Troy celebrated Mass at the Cathedral for Peruvian Independence Day. For me, being at the Mass brought back memories of the many years I was in Washington. I used to celebrate the 28 de Julio (the 28th of July) with the Peruvian community there.

The Peruvian government has a huge estate in the center of northwest Washington. It is a very unusual site for an embassy and they have an incredible amount of land.

We would have the Mass on the embassy grounds and they would invite all of the Peruvians in Washington for the Mass and a big reception afterwards,  of course serving Inca Cola, chicha morada and ceviche! So, it brought back many memories.

- – -

And finally, you may remember from last week’s post that I officiated at the wedding of the daughter of Peter and Carolyn Lynch, Elizabeth, to Count Gonzague de Montrichard. Unfortunately, the photos weren’t available in time for last week’s post, but they were kind enough to send some along earlier this week.

I thought you might enjoy seeing them:

Peter walking Elizabeth down the aisle

The ceremony was at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Marblehead

Peter and Carolyn

Carolyn proclaiming a reading

The choir from St. Paul’s in Cambridge

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

Last Friday, I was the main celebrant at the funeral of Father Jim Field, the pastor of Incarnation Parish in Melrose, who had been battling cancer for many months.

Many parishioners were able to come to the Mass at his parish church.

It was a Friday morning, but the church was packed. Many priests accompanied me.

He was a great example of courage and faith as he prepared for death. I gave him the sacraments when I visited him in the hospital a few weeks ago. We had a wonderful visit. We were able to pray and talk together.

His parishioners were very, very supportive of him throughout his long illness.

He will be sorely missed, but fondly remembered.

- – -

Friday evening, there was a concert by the Paris Boys Choir at the Cathedral.

They were from Neuilly-sur-Seine in Paris. They call them Les Petits Chanteurs de Sainte-Croix de Neuilly.

The concert was stunning. The choir, I think there were about 50 or 60 boys, performed beautiful polyphonic music in Latin and French.

They sang music by composers such as Palestrina, Victoria, Bach, Mozart, and French composers Fauré, Poulenc, Duruflé and Franck.

While here in the United States, they performed at St. Paul’s in Cambridge, as well as New York and Washington.

- – -

On Saturday, I officiated at the wedding Mass of Peter Lynch’s youngest daughter at Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Marblehead.

Peter Lynch’s daughter Elizabeth married a French count, Gonzague de Montrichard, a very fine Catholic gentleman.

Peter Lynch, a Fidelity executive, has been involved in the Catholic Schools Foundation and is a promoter of Catholic philanthropy.

The wedding was very beautifully executed. The boys from our choir school at St. Paul’s in Cambridge sang. The reception was at the Lynch’s home. The dinner was preceded by spectacular fireworks — they could have been in Washington, D.C. at the mall for the Fourth of July! There was 40 minutes of music in the background, and the fireworks show was over the water. It was quite amazing.

I didn’t stay for the dinner, which started quite late — about 10:00p.m.

I was very happy to meet many of the groom’s family. About 60 of his family came from France.

Peter and Carolyn Lynch were radiantly happy with the wedding, which was good to see. They do so much to help so many people.

- – -

I was at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton on Sunday for their annual Italian feast in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

They celebrated it on the Sunday after the actual feast, which is on July 16.

I celebrated the 8 a.m. Mass in Italian and the church was packed.  Msgr. Deeley had just preached a triduum in Italian, three days of Masses.

Unfortunately, I was not able to stay the whole day, but I understand that there was a procession with the statue of Our Lady in the afternoon. They even have an angel on a cord that comes zipping across the sky as part of the procession!

- – -

That afternoon, I participated in the 36^th Annual Benefit for the City of St. Jude at a celebration in Malden.  As it does each year, the event drew hundreds of people and raised thousands of dollars for the charitable ministry and works of mercy of the City of St. Jude in Montgomery, Alabama.  

This year’s celebration was bittersweet because the local founder of the benefit, Malden Police Commissioner Anthony Spadafora, passed away in May. 

His wife, children, grandchildren and extended family did a great job in carrying on the generosity of “Papa Tony.” 

It was wonderful to have the opportunity to gather with local clergy at the event from Jewish, Muslim and other Christian faiths.

- – -

That night, I had dinner with Archbishop Hughes, Msgr. Francis Kelly, and Msgr. Cornelius McRae at the small cottage that Msgr. McRae has in Marshfield. Archbishop Hughes, who is originally from Boston, was back home on vacation.

The archbishop and Msgr. McRae had been out sailing that afternoon, and they invited Msgr. Kelly and me to join them for dinner and conversation. It was wonderful to catch up.

Archbishop Hughes showed us a book they had just published about the Church’s response to Hurricane Katrina. It is called “The Archdiocese of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina: A Story of Hope in a Time of Destruction,” and is soon to be released.

- – -

Bishop Charles Dufour of Montego Bay was here Tuesday for a visit. I knew him from the days when I was bishop in the Virgin Islands. I had been the Apostolic Visitator for the seminary in Kingston, where he was the rector at the time.

Bishop Dufour is now the Bishop of Montego Bay, which territorially is the largest of the three dioceses on the island of Jamaica.

The archdiocese, of course, is Kingston, and Mandeville is the newest diocese, and then there is Montego Bay.

It’s a very poor missionary diocese with a small number of Catholics.

The bishop is an extraordinary individual. He is a priest of the Archdiocese of Kingston. He knows many of the Jesuits who have been missionaries in Jamaica, and was here visiting some of them.

- – -

On Wednesday, for the second time since being named archbishop, I was called for jury duty.

I reported with my fellow prospective jurors and we first listened to a presentation given by one of the judges to prepare us for jury, and then there was a video presentation. 

I was not chosen to sit on a jury.  I guess they didn’t need me! 

In Massachusetts there is a system where people are called to serve on a jury for one day or for one trial.  Of course, that means there is a fairly heavy turnover and people are called frequently. 

I haven’t been selected to sit on a jury either time I have been called, which is too bad. I was looking forward to serving.  Jury duty is an important civic responsibility, in order that citizens have the opportunity to have their cases heard by fair minded peers.  We should remember that if it was our case being heard, we would want good people on the jury, and so we should respond to this important call to service as it is asked of us.

- – -

The patronal feast for the Brazilians is the feast of Nossa Senhor Aparecida (Our Lady Who Appeared), which is on October 8. They always have a Mass in the middle of the summer because it is easier to gather people. They have an outdoor Mass at the Fatima Shrine in Holliston. I have joined them in the past, but was unable to attend this year but I asked them to send some photos to share with you.

It’s always an extraordinary event with many, many young families.

- – -

Finally, last month the Holy Father celebrated the closing of the Year for Priests at the Vatican. I hear it was a wonderful celebration with thousands of priests and bishops in attendance.

Unfortunately my obligations in Boston prevented me from attending the event so I was happily surprised when I received a memento of the celebration in the mail.

The pope’s coat of arms

Cardinal Hummes, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, sent me this stole that was designed for the occasion.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

This week I have asked David Thorp share some thoughts with you about the Catholics Come Home program, which invites inactive Catholics to once again return to the faith.

David will be heading this important initiative that we will be beginning in the archdiocese in the coming months.

However, before we get to David’s comments I would like to say a brief word about an event many of you may have heard about in the news this week: the theft of the relic of the True Cross of Christ from our Cathedral.

The reliquary as it was before the theft

This relic has significance for us as Catholics here in the Archdiocese of Boston.  First of all, we believe that this relic is an actual piece of the Cross on which our Savior died to take away our sins.  His death on the Cross, and His rising from the dead on Easter Sunday are the central event of our redemption.  Relics are usually physical object that link us to one of the saints in heaven.  In the case of this relic, however, the link is to an actual event in history, the most important event of human history.  The other reason this relic is so significant to us is that it has been in the Archdiocese of Boston for over two hundred years, going way back to our first Bishop, Bishop Cheverus.

As it looks today

I would ask Catholics throughout the Archdiocese to pray for those involved, and that this relic will be returned to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, where it has been enshrined and venerated for over two centuries.

- – -

We have Good News to share

Recently Steve LeVeille, a radio talk-show host in Boston, caused quite a stir in area supermarkets. Steve, who has made no secret of enjoyment of outdoor grilling, spoke with enthusiasm about a particular salad dressing for marinating meat. Immediately the salad dressing was flying off the shelves. One man, a few nights later, said that he went to five different markets before he could find a bottle. Others called in to share their delight in the way the dressing boosted the taste of meat they had grilled. Even now, weeks later, this remains a topic of conversation on Steve Leveille’s show.

Steve LeVeille had found something good, something new, something surprising. And, he just couldn’t think of keeping it all to himself. He wanted people to hear about his good find and the tasty goodness of his grilling experiment. I marvel at what Steve has done for a marinade, a delightful — but passing — taste.

I have tasted something even more delightful, something that does not pass away. The words of Psalm 34 ring true: “taste and see the goodness of the Lord.” Many years ago, after some years of deep anger at God and disdain for the Church, I was surprised on a retreat by God’s love and mercy. I discovered in a way that I had not known before the one who could satisfy the deepest hungers in my heart. The amazing thing for me is that the retreat was only the beginning. There has been a continuing and ever-deepening ‘discovery’ of God and life with God through Jesus Christ and in the Church.

I’ve come to know God as life and light, shepherd and strength, wisdom and the way, peace and power for living. Through the Church, the Body of Christ, I have received comfort through the proclaimed Word of God and through the sacraments. In times of struggle and distress the community has been the healing and sustaining hand of God for me. It has also challenged me to live more fully for God and for others, stretching me so that I could be all that God has created me to be.

Mine is not a unique experience. Millions upon millions of people have come to know God in this same way. God has been peace for their troubled hearts, power when they felt completely drained of strength, truth when they were confused, the way when they didn’t know where to go, light when they felt engulfed in darkness. At Mass, they have been fed by the Living Word of Scripture and the Living Bread of the Eucharist, Jesus himself. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, they have had the burden of guilt lifted and have known beyond doubt that God’s tender mercy is for them.

It is an extravagant feast that God shares with me, with us. God shares it freely — we didn’t have to, nor could we, earn it. God shares it freely — holding nothing back, giving all and inviting us to receive all. How could I, how could we keep this to ourselves?

We have some good news to share. When we share this good news, when we are messengers of the Good News, we are evangelists. This might not be a word that we apply to ourselves. We may even protest, because of preconceived notions of what an evangelist is, “I don’t want to be one of those!”

But, evangelist and evangelization are not words that Catholics can escape or throw away. Thirty-five years ago Pope Paul VI called all members of the Church to remember Jesus’ own words and actions and to follow them:

Those who have received the Good News and who have been gathered by it into the community of salvation can and must communicate and spread it. The Church knows this. She has a vivid awareness of the fact that the Savior’s words, “I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God,” apply in all truth to herself. She willingly adds with St. Paul: “Not that I boast of preaching the gospel, since it is a duty that has been laid on me; Woe to me if I did not preach it.” … [T]he task of evangelizing all people constitutes the essential mission of the Church. … Evangelizing is in fact the grace and vocation proper to the Church, her deepest identity. She exists in order to evangelize.

[On Evangelization in the Modern World, paragraphs 13-14]

Father Henri Nouwen, the great spiritual writer, has helped me to understand how I can live out my Catholic identity as an evangelist. “Evangelization,” Father Nouwen stated, “is one beggar showing another beggar where the bread is.” How rich a description! It speaks about our attitude when we evangelize. It speaks about what we are to do as we share our faith with others.

Attitude. Father Nouwen’s description reminds me that I am a beggar also. I am neither the owner of the bakery where the bread is made nor of the shop were the bread is sold. I, too, am a beggar who is hungry and in need.

Action. But, I have been fed! And, knowing that there are other beggars, other people who are hungry, I must show them where the bread is. I can’t just send them to where the bread is: “You go, first six blocks, turn left and go five more blocks …” I must be with them, walking beside them, saying, “Come with me, this is the way to the place where I have found bread.” As I have thought about Father Nouwen’s words I have imagined the conversation. I would be listening to the other’s story, seeking to understand the fellow beggar’s situation. I would recall the person who first showed me the bread. I would speak about how the bread tasted, remembering what it was like to have hunger satisfied, think aloud about the many different kinds of breads and how they might taste. I’d ask if there are others who should be invited.

We meet hungry people all the time. They are members of our families, our neighbors and co-workers; sometimes they are people we’ve just met. Sometimes they are burdened by worry or anxiety. They are filled with anger or resentment. They feel alone. They talk about drifting without any direction. Or, they say that it’s too late for them and the direction for their life is so set that there can’t be change. They say day-to-day stresses are so overwhelming to them that they feel like they are drowning. They wonder, “Is this all there is?” In our daily conversations, when we really listen, it’s amazing how many times people are asking for “bread.” How hungry they are for some good news. How hungry they are for The Good News, Jesus Christ, and for the community where The Good News is shared and celebrated, the Church.

One new way that the Archdiocese of Boston is responding to God’s call to share the Good News is Catholics Come Home. In conjunction with CatholicsComeHome.org, a national Catholic lay apostolate, we will ask people to take another look at the wonder of God’s life for them, at the immeasurable love of God for them. We will invite them to discover — or re-discover — God’s feast for them in the Eucharist and, indeed, in all the dimensions of the Catholic life.

Wanting to reach as many people as possible, three commercials will be aired. These inviting and positive messages were developed by CatholicsComeHome.org and have already been seen in Seattle and Sacramento, Chicago and Corpus Christi, Phoenix and Providence, Green Bay and Omaha.

You can see these invitations now:

These television commercials — which will be aired next Lent — will enable our invitation to reach people in their own homes. We will extend a message of hope and welcome to many people whom we might not otherwise be able to reach. The response in other parts of the country has been exciting. People made phone calls to parishes and to diocesan offices. They visited web sites – parish websites, diocesan websites, CatholicsComeHome.org. They sent emails with questions that had been troubling them. Their faith was renewed. They received God’s love afresh as they returned to Mass, participated in special “welcome” programs, went to confession after many years away.

Aware that commercials alone are not enough, parishioners in other parts of the country where the spots aired also reached out with more personal invitations. The commercials provided an opportunity to start a dialogue with others. Even as people shared how being a Catholic had brought meaning and peace in their lives they spoke about everything you could imagine — people’s longing for God, questions about marriage and divorce, prayer, desire for community, sexuality, the stress of unemployment, suffering, the meaning of life. The deep grief and broken trust that people experienced related to clergy sexual abuse were also part of these conversations. People reflected together on their experiences as Catholics, both positive and not-so-positive, seeking the presence of God in the complexities of life.

Boston isn’t any different. The involvement of priests and parishioners will be vital. Ads, as good as these are, come on a flat screen; the message flows in one direction. You and I can offer 3-D, live words of invitation and welcome; the message becomes very interactive.

Catholics Come Home is one more new way that Catholics in the Archdiocese are sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. ARISE Together in Christ, now into its third year of bringing Catholics together to share faith and pray with each other in small groups, has added so much to the lives of thousands of people in more than 180 parishes. Through The Light Is On For You people are experiencing the depth of God’s mercy in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. This healing ministry has helped many to remember that God is always offering a new beginning.

Evangelizing – sharing faith with others – is what I can do. Making hearts new, changing hearts is what God does. He does this by pouring out his love and grace. I am praying that hearts are ready to receive all that God offers every day. All of us know people who are distant from the life of the Catholic community. They are our children and grandchildren, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters. I’ve written names of people I know in a book. Co-workers at the Pastoral Center have added the first names of others. It’s getting to be a long list. These people are loved and they are a gift. We miss their active presence in the community of faith. I pray for these people. I carry the book with me to Mass so that I can especially offer them to the Lord and his love.

I am also paying attention to the words of St. Peter: “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” [1 Peter 3:15]. Most of us won’t be able to broadcast to 30+ states as does Steve LeVeille. But each of us can speak to another person about the hope and faith and peace that we know because of God. I am thinking about who Jesus is in my life and why I follow Christ. I am thinking about the reasons why I am a Catholic, why I participate in Mass. I want to be ready to share with others.

Let’s look and listen – even now – for a chance to tell hungry people where we have found the bread.

As I always do this time of year, I am taking a few days of vacation.   So, I have asked one of our newly ordained priests, Father Guy Sciacca to share his story with you. He was one of three men we ordained in May at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

Father Guy studied at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, a seminary located within our Archdiocese that is dedicated to the formation of men who answer the call to the priesthood later in life.

I think his story is a great illustration of the idea that it is never too late to answer the call of the Lord. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:

My Journey to Priesthood

My journey to the priesthood is one of many ups and downs. It is one of childhood wonder, a time of aridity; and a time of conversion, peace, and gratitude. A vocation to the priesthood, like any vocation, has its beginnings in the family. Mine was no different. I guess my journey to the priesthood could be characterized as one of “restless curiosity.”

I remember when I was a young boy, my mom used to take us to Church on Sundays. I was one of seven, so either we would go as a group or sometimes she would just take me. This was the pre-Vatican II early 50’s. The Mass was still in the Tridentine Rite. Anyway, I remember, quite vividly, being at Mass with my mom one Sunday. I was about seven years old. It was the Consecration. The priest was elevating the host and I tugged on my mother’s sleeve and said: “ I want to do that.” I was told to be quiet and pay attention. This, I believe was the beginning of my vocation and my discernment process.

At age 9, I became an altar boy. I remember diligently studying the card with the Latin Mass responses written out phonetically. My brother, who was two years older than I, was also an altar boy, and he helped me study. I enjoyed learning the responses and going to the altar boy meetings every Saturday but I was never given much of an opportunity to actually serve, since the altar boy “pool” in those days was so large. Be that as it may, I was happy knowing that I was part of a very special group.

Both my parents were immigrants. My father came from Sicily when he was a young boy and my mother was Irish-Canadian. Both my parents were people of deep faith. They knew how important religion is in daily life and they did their best to make sure that their children learned this lesson from the very beginning. They instilled in all their children a great respect for the Church, the sacraments, and the clergy. As young children we would go to confession every other week. My mother loved her novenas.

Family and friends celebrate my ordination

In the front: my 8th grade teacher Sister Mary Mills, CSJ; and my sister Josephine. In the back: my brother and his wife, Vincent and MaryAnn; and my sister Ann

In those days we had the Novena of Grace every year and she would bring me along. Eventually I just went on my own. I received a Catholic education from Grade 1 through Grade 12. My role models from early childhood through high school and beyond were my parish priests.

I grew up in Saint Joseph Parish in Medford. Looking back, I have to say that it was there that I received religious formation, guidance, support, and care from some of the finest priests I have ever known. The parish priests were men we looked up to and admired. Saint Joseph’s is a large parish and we lived about two blocks from the Church. It seemed, however, that our priests knew us personally. It seemed to us, anyway, that they knew what we were doing, when we were not doing what was expected of us, and when we were. In short, they cared.

I was educated in elementary school by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Boston. During these years the Sisters, along with our parish priests, tried to foster vocations in us. They planted the seed and did their best to make sure that vocations blossomed. While I still had the desire to follow a vocation to the priesthood, as I advanced in the elementary grades to junior high, the idea was placed more and more in the back of my mind. Something was still there, an indescribable desire to do something for the Lord. I didn’t quite know what it was, so being a typical junior high student, didn’t pay too much attention to it; however, even in a young heart, restlessness can exist. I would describe my years at Saint Joseph’s School as happy and safe.

In 1963 it was time to move on to high school. I attended Christopher Columbus Catholic High School in the North End of Boston. There, the Franciscan Friars of the Province of the Immaculate Conception educated me. The friars also saw something in me that indicated that there might be a vocation to the priesthood. They tried their best to move me in that direction; but being a teenager, at that time I was more interested in having fun than in thinking about anything as serious as becoming a priest. I would say that I was an average high school student – more interested in having fun than in paying attention to studies or any inner stirrings that might be calling me to a life of service. So, in 1967 I graduated from Christopher Columbus High, with Richard Cardinal Cushing presenting me my high school diploma at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

After graduation, like most young people that age, I knew everything there was to know. Rather than move right on to college, I decided to enter the work force, much to the chagrin of my parents. So, I worked for a couple of years in the Foreign Tax Department of the First National Bank of Boston. Boy, did I feel important! It’s funny how the Lord uses people to somehow rekindle the yearnings of the human heart. The restlessness was there and it was noticed. A very kind supervisor made me see that I was capable of so much more than sitting behind a desk in a bank; so he urged me to pursue my education.

Isn’t it funny how sometimes we are more apt to follow the advice of strangers than that of our own family?

So, my journey now took me to North Adams State College. This was in the early 70’s. One can only imagine what kind of time that was. I was a good student and made good grades. However, it was also party time. This was a time of fun and freedom — if you can call it that. The thought of vocation and priesthood moved further and further into the background, while the thought of fun and adventure moved to the foreground. This was a time when getting ahead was all that mattered to any of us. I must admit that the restlessness was still there. I never felt quite fulfilled in my new chosen profession as teacher. Upon graduation from college, I taught for a while in the secondary school system. I taught English and French. After a period of time I decided that this wasn’t enough and I search for something more. I remained in the education field.

I worked at Boston State College in the Registrar’s Office and earned a Master of Education degree while there. I spent some time living in Europe – in France. Still there was a feeling of restlessness within me, which I couldn’t explain. I decided that I wanted to stay in higher education administration. Eventually, I became Assistant Registrar. When the college merged with the University of Massachusetts, I was taken over there to be one of the Assistant Registrars. After several years of working in higher education administration, the Lord gently tapped me on the shoulder and reawakened the call to a priestly vocation.

In the mid-1980’s I entered the Dominican Order. I remained with the Dominicans for four years. After discerning that life as a religious order priest was not for me, I left in 1990. So, I returned to Massachusetts and obtained a job working at Harvard University. Once again, I was back in Higher Education Administration. Once again, also, any idea of a priestly vocation was put on the back burner – only this time, for a longer period of time, and for much more serious reasons. I am convinced now, more than ever, that the Lord tests us to make us stronger – both in our faith and in our vocation.

In 1991, one of my sisters, with whom I was very close, was tragically killed – the victim of domestic violence. This caused me to question my trust in the Church, and my faith in God. Totally alienating myself from the Church and from God for nine-and-a- half years, I lived a life completely devoid of religion. At that point in my life I wanted nothing to do with God. Praise God he didn’t feel the same way about me. There are times in our lives when the Lord puts certain people in our lives for specific purposes and reasons. Sometimes we need help in seeing clearly what the will of God for us is and discerning what his purpose for us is. After more than 9 years of bitterness, anger, resentment, and fear, with the help of a very kind and loving parish priest, the Lord, through the intercession of Mary, gently brought me back where I belonged.

Even in my darkest times, I always found great comfort and peace praying to Our Lady. I know in my heart that she is responsible for my conversion, for like any good mother, she gently but firmly led me back to her Son. Still, the restlessness was there, but all the things that life threw my way covered it up. With the help of a compassionate Spiritual Director, I was able to face my anger, resentment, and fear. After 3 or 4 years of spiritual direction and discovering Ignatian Spirituality, I was able to finally embrace my true vocation. I was now free enough to welcome the Lord into my heart. This heightened my feeling of restlessness. I was grateful to the Lord for giving back to me what I had thrown away. Psalm 116 says it so much more adequately than I could: “How shall I make a return to the Lord for all the good he has done for me?” So, after a long period of discernment and prayer, the final and most exciting and fulfilling part of my journey began.

On August 29, 2006, I entered Blessed John XXIII National Seminary. I can still remember my first day. I pulled up to the back of the building and there were about 3 or 4 upper classmen waiting to help me unload the car and move in. When I entered the seminary building, a feeling of peace and serenity came over me that I had not known before. I attribute this to the fact that I had finally let go and was now cooperating with God’s grace. His plan was my desire and my desire was His plan — to serve Him and His people by being an example of His love, mercy, and compassion.

I have to admit that not all four years at Blessed John were smooth sailing. There were ups and downs, as there are in any situation where you place 60 –80 different personalities together. But every friendship forged, every relationship made, every course taken — and yes, every obstacle overcome — have all contributed to the working out of God’s plan for my life. The restlessness has subsided because as Saint Augustine says: “…our hearts are restless until they rest in thee…” I now enjoy resting in the love of Jesus Christ for me, and the many blessings he has bestowed upon me. I pray that I may be a good, humble priest.

Celebrating daily Mass at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford

For me, priesthood means giving back to God through His people, what was so freely given to me. I have always loved the writings of Saint Augustine. On the back of my ordination holy card I have two quotes from different writings of Saint Augustine. One of them reads as follows: “…for those who make generous use of what they have received he will supplement and increase what he has given…” This is taken from his work, “On Christian Teaching.”

With some of our great parishioners

I believe that the heart of a priest must  be a generous heart. A priest must have a heart generous not only in giving freely what he has received, but a heart generous in willingness to share in the joys, sorrows, and brokenness of the people to whom he ministers. May the Lord grant me the privilege and honor to serve His people with such a heart – a heart of compassion!

As you may know, the Holy Father has appointed Fathers Arthur Kennedy and Peter Uglietto as auxiliary bishops for our archdiocese. Both are rectors of seminaries in our archdiocese — Bishop-elect Kennedy at St. John’s and Bishop-elect Uglietto at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary.

Bishops-elect Kennedy and Uglietto

I made a public announcement of this news at a press conference Wednesday at the Pastoral Center.

A large number of our staff and family and friends of the bishops-elect were on hand for the announcement

As I announced at the press conference, Bishop-elect Kennedy will remain as rector of St. John’s after the ordination, but Bishop-elect Uglietto will be leaving Blessed John to become bishop of our North Region. I am looking forward to Bishop-elect Kennedy’s continued service at St. John’s, and to working with Bishop-elect Uglietto in bringing the Good News to the people of our North Region.

Bishop-elect Uglietto was truly a “Good Shepherd” to Blessed John and will be sorely missed yet fondly remembered by all the seminarians, faculty, and staff there.

However, I am happy to say that Father William Palardy will succeed Bishop-elect Uglietto as rector. Father Palardy is currently the seminary’s academic dean.

Bishop-elect Uglietto and Father Palardy

The Holy Father has also accepted the resignation of Bishop Emilio Allué, one of our auxiliary bishops, for age reasons.

Bishop Allué was vicar to our Hispanic apostolate. He was ordained a bishop in 1996 and prior to working with our Hispanic communities was bishop of our Merrimack Region. However, he will still be around for confirmations and ministry to our Spanish communities. I wish to extend my gratitude for his many years of faithful service to the archdiocese and wish him well in his much deserved retirement.

Unfortunately, Bishop Allué was not able to be with us at the press conference this week because he was vacationing with his family in Spain. I had spoken to him by phone earlier to share the news and extend my gratitude to him.

Before the press conference, I met with Bishops-elect Kennedy and Uglietto in my office where I presented them with two of the symbols of the office of bishop: the zucchetto and pectoral cross.

The we discussed some plans for the events of the day.

After the press conference the new bishops-elect joined us for Mass and a lunch with with family and guests.

I am glad that so many of the relatives and friends of the bishops-elect were able to be with us for the announcement.

Bishop-elect Uglietto’s mother, Dolores

I think it is very significant that our Holy Father has chosen two rectors as bishops. The fact that we have two new bishops with a tremendous depth and breadth of experience in priestly formation will be a great help to our archdiocese as we work to deepen the ongoing formation of all our clergy. Over the course of the Year for Priests that just concluded, I consistently stressed the need for continuing theological formation, building a spirit of fraternity among our clergy, and a deepened commitment to a life of prayer. Both have worked tirelessly to further the culture of vocations in our archdiocese, and I have been so glad to be partners with them in this regard. Both have been marvelous assets to their seminaries.

Their seminaries are held in tremendous esteem not only by our own bishops here in Boston, but also by other bishops across the United States and around the world. Both seminaries are solid places of formation for not only our seminarians, but those of other dioceses as well. A wonderful spirit exists in both seminaries, which speaks to the talent and faithfulness of these fine new bishops. St. John’s will be enrolling 80 seminarians next year, and Blessed John continues to nurture the callings of seminarians after careers in other professions.

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Last Thursday, I met with our pro-life director, Marianne Luthin, and the directors of the pro-life offices of other New England dioceses.

Twice a year, the New England diocesan Pro Life/Respect Life directors come together at the Pastoral Center to discuss the work of their respective offices and share successful programming initiatives.

Representatives from the Dioceses of Portland, Manchester, Burlington, Fall River, Worcester, Bridgeport, Norwich and the Archdioceses of Hartford and Boston were there.

I was able to hear firsthand reports of a number of youth, educational and pastoral initiatives that are effectively communicating the Gospel of Life at the diocesan and parish levels. Earlier in the day the group had reviewed newly developed training and outreach materials from the USCCB Pro Life Secretariat on the Project Rachel post abortion healing program which is such an important pastoral outreach effort of the Church.

- – -

That night, I went to Palio’s Italian Grill in Lexington to speak to our young adults at Theology on Tap. (I liked the name because it reminds me of the horse races in Siena, the Palio di Siena.)

The gathering was upstairs in the restaurant, so we were in “the upper room” — very theologically appropriate!

I addressed the crowd for about 45 minutes on the New Evangelization. Then we had about another 45 minutes of questions and answers.

We had a very good crowd that was mostly young adults. Father Arnold Coletti, pastor of St. Brigid’s and Sacred Heart Parishes in Lexington, was there as well.

Lauren Hardegen, of our young adult ministry office, and Billy Robinson, of the young adults group in Lexington, did a wonderful job organizing and promoting this.

The young adults gather every month out there for Theology on Tap.

- – -

That evening, I went to Merrimack College in North Andover for a dinner with Father Bill Garland and the Augustinians. It was an opportunity to meet their new provincial, Father Mickey Genovese.

With Father Genovese

Father Garland is a good friend of mine. He worked with me as the superintendent of schools in Fall River when I was bishop there, and was also a superintendent of schools in New Hampshire. He was the principal of St. Peter’s in Cambridge. Now, he is at Merrimack.

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On Saturday, I said Mass for religious brothers of communities within our archdiocese who are celebrating 50 or 60 years of religious life.

We had several brothers join us for this occasion.

Sister Marian Batho, our delegate for religious, gave a lovely talk, which I would like to share with you:

Twelve religious brothers of the archdiocese celebrate anniversaries of entrance or religious profession in 2010. Collectively they represent 695 years of service to the Church. They are members of the Society of Jesus, Franciscan Friars, Xaverian Brothers, Marist Brothers of the Schools and the Sons of Mary.

The word Brother speaks of a special relational quality, a unique presence to others.

Religious Brothers welcome others as family. There are no strangers.

You have served the Church in the United States and throughout the world. You are teachers, administrators, catechists, formation and vocation directors, pastoral care ministers. You are fundraisers for the missions and have been part of reconciliation efforts after the genocide in Rwanda. You have provided food and care for the poorest among us. You have gone to places you may never have wanted to go. But you have made a difference everywhere you have been.

You are men of many talents. Wherever there was a need, you responded generously and faithfully without counting the cost.

All of your efforts and all of your accomplishments reflect your total gift of self to Christ. You are the human faces of a loving and compassionate God. You remind us of the importance of being holy and enthusiastic in our love for God.

We celebrate with you today and thank you for saying “yes” so many years ago.

Ad multos annos!

- – -

That afternoon, we went to bless the new parish center at Holy Family in Amesbury. Father Conrad Salach is the pastor there.

We blessed the center first. It is a beautiful parish center that they just refurbished.

Afterwards, we had a parish Mass at 4 o’clock followed by a reception.

They had a cake for me because Tuesday was my birthday

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Then on Sunday I visited the Sisters of Jesus Crucified in Brockton for their Chapter Meeting and the celebration of Mass. The Sisters first came to Boston in 1945, at the invitation of Archbishop Richard Cushing, and among their many pastoral and spiritual works established what is now a 120 bed Catholic nursing home on their property.

At the Chapter, Sister Mary Valleire was re-elected Superior of the Community and three Counselors were elected to assist her. It was a blessing to be with the Sisters and experience their joy and enthusiasm for ministry.

Sister Mary

At the lunch after Mass they presented me a birthday cake, which featured a question mark candle — I’m not sure if they didn’t know my age or they thought it was too high to use the number!

The Sisters are an important presence in the archdiocese and we are very grateful for their ministry.

- – -

After that, I remained in Brockton for a celebration marking the Nativity of St. John the Baptist with the Cape Verdean community there. The celebration was held at St. Edith Stein Parish.

This picture is of a wall of fancy loaves of bread with different shapes, and fruits and sweets called a “mastro”. The people line up and they beat a drum. When the drum stops, everyone runs and grabs some. You might think of it as a Cape Verdean version of a piñata.

They also have a dancing procession called a Colá São João

There were probably about 2,000 Cape Verdeans there. There were also a couple of young Cape Verdean priests: Father Egidio, who is helping us out and Father Lino, a Capuchin visiting from Cape Verde. There was also an Oblate, Father Doran, and of course Fathers Brian Smith and Brian Flynn.

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On Monday, we had the incardination of Father Alonso Macias. It was very nice celebration.

They were supposed to do it at the parish Mass but there were so many people that I suggested they get another priest to celebrate the parish Mass and we hold our Mass separately, in Spanish.

It was lovely. People sang and they were all very happy. There were a lot of people from Cambridge, but from other places as well.

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The Massachusetts State Council Knights of Columbus came to visit me Tuesday to present a $60,000 donation for our food pantries.

State Deputy Mike Baldner, his wife Kathy, Immediate Past State Deputy Bill Donovan, and Joseph Donnelly, Chairman of the Massachusetts Knights’ Food for Families Project

As I always say, the Knights are such a great asset to our Church and this gift is just another example of their many good works.

- – -

Tuesday also marked the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, and we were very happy to have Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios and his assistant, Father Ted Barbas, join us for Mass at the Pastoral Center.

Here in Boston we have a tradition of exchanging delegations with the Greek Orthodox on each other’s Patronal Feast Days. The Metropolitan, or his representative, comes to be with us on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and I go there on St. Andrew’s day, November 30. This mirrors a similar exchange begun years ago by the Holy Father and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.

We all pray that the unity between our churches that had existed for the first 1,000 years of our Christian heritage will be restored. We have so much in common.

During my homily, I spoke about a wonderful ecumenical pilgrimage we went on in 2007. There were about 100 priests and laity, Catholic and Orthodox, who met with the Holy Father in Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch in Constantinople.

The Church of St. Paul Outside the Walls

While we were in Rome together, we were able to visit the tombs of Sts. Peter and Paul. While we were gathered at St. Paul’s tomb, a Benedictine abbot brought out the chains of St. Paul from his imprisonment.

The abbot read to us from a letter by St. John Chrysostom, one of the Greek fathers of the Church, in which he expresses his desire to go to Rome to be able to venerate the chains of St. Paul. There we were, Catholics and Orthodox, venerating this wonderful relic of the glorious Apostle to the Gentiles.

We have very fond memories of this pilgrimage.

Metropolitan Methodios made some remarks as well.

Metropolitan Methodios  is certainly a very dear friend of the Catholic community and we are very grateful to Vito Nicastro and Father Ed O’Flaherty, of our Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, for all of their wonderful work on behalf of ecumenism. We were joined by our own archimandrite — who did not wear his veil but was there — Father Jack Ahern, of Dorchester, as well as Father Frank Cloherty from Brockton.

Vito Nicastro and Father Ed O’Flaherty speaking with the Metropolitan

Afterward we had a pleasant lunch together

May you all have a safe, restful and happy Independence Day!

Cardinal Seán

On Friday evening, I went to the home of Steve and Ruth Barrett for a reception to show our gratitude for the work of the Improved Financial Relationship Committee. Steve and the other members of the committee have been working very diligently to improve the way parishes support the archdiocese.

It was a gathering to show our appreciation to those who have participated in this very important initiative to overhaul the way we fund our central ministries and other activities of the archdiocese.

We are grateful for the Barretts’ hospitality. Theirs is a very lovely home. It was once an Oblate seminary but it has been converted into a number of condominiums.

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We had the ordination of Brother Andrew, a Capuchin brother from the Saint Mary’s Province, on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Jamaica Plain.

As a deacon, he worked at Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Dorchester. Right now, he is stationed at the friars’ house in Jamaica Plain.

Many friars, his family and a lot of parishioners from Our Lady of Lourdes gathered for the occasion.

It was the first time I had seen the church since they had finished refurbishing it.

- – -

Saturday evening, I had a private confirmation at St. Mary’s in Holliston for Benjamin Martell, the son of George and Susan Martell.

Benjamin and his sponsor Chris Vasta, who his campus minister at Xaverian

Father Mark Coiro, St. Mary’s pastor, very graciously hosted us, and had a reception afterwards in the rectory.

We had a private confirmation for Benjamin because his family was so involved with helping at our Men’s and Women’s conferences and the Men’s Conference was held at the same time that the parish confirmation was taking place.

Benjamin is a student at Xaverian High, and is very active in the parish. As a matter of fact, the following day he was leaving for Rome with 50 students from Xaverian.

- – -

We were going to go to Incarnation of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Melrose on Sunday for the 20th anniversary of the ordination of Father Jim Fields.  (Before becoming a priest, Father had been a Xaverian brother for many years.)

However, Father Jim is very sick with cancer and was rushed to the hospital just a few days before.

So, instead of going to the parish, I went to Mass. General and brought Father Jim Communion and anointed him. I was also able to have a wonderful visit with him.

He is very courageously living with cancer.  His whole parish has been so supportive of him and his courage and faith have been a great witness to the parish. At the same time, the support and devotion of his parishioners is also a great witness of our Catholic faith.

- – -

Sunday, of course, was also Father’s Day, and my family was able to come here to see me. My sister Mary, nephew Nick and Danny Mulligan, a relative of my cousin’s son, were here to celebrate Father’s Day with me. We had a wonderful visit.

- – -

On Monday, I met with Archbishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga, of Kampala, Uganda.

He was here for a Mass to mark the feast of St. Charles Lwanga and his companions on Sunday with a Mass at St. Mary’s in Waltham. St. Charles Lwanga was martyred in Uganda in 1886.

It is always a very colorful Mass because they have the young men dress up as the martyrs with palms.

- – -

The same day, I was visited by the Bishop of Balasore in India, Thomas Thiruthalil. He has a priest studying here in Boston.

During our visit we had a chance to speak about his hospital and different works that he has done in his diocese.

- – -

On Monday I visited Norfolk Prison were we had one baptism and six or seven confirmations.

One of the prisoners gave a drawing he had made of myself and St. Francis. It’s done in caricature style.

You may remember this photo from a few weeks ago. They just had a Cursillo and I had sent them a palanca. In gratitude they sent me a thank you card with a hand drawn picture.

This drawing was done by the same artist.

They took pictures with the confirmandi and their sponsors before the Mass. We were also able to take one or two during the Mass as well.

We were certainly grateful for that because they don’t always allow photos to be taken in the prison.

The Mass was tri-lingual. They had Spanish and Vietnamese choirs, which were both wonderful. There were also a number of other volunteers present.

Ms. Ruth Raichele, a lay Dominican, has done an extraordinary job as chaplain there. They also have a Third Order of St. Dominic Fraternity in the prison that Sister has started.

- – -

On Tuesday, I was at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham for an annual retreat with our seminarians. In June, we always have a retreat for them, beyond the retreats they have in the seminary.

It’s an opportunity to bring together the men studying at various seminaries. This year, even one of our students studying in Rome was able to join us.

Father Ed O’Flaherty was the retreat master. I gave two conferences and had a dialogue and a Holy Hour with them.

It is a lovely setting located near the water. The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary does a marvelous job running this house.

- – -

On Wednesday, to celebrate the closing of the Year for Priests, we had a convocation at Anthony’s Pier 4 in Boston. I believe there were between 300 and 400 priests there.

It was a time for fraternity. We had prayer and a vespers ceremony, and then we had a wonderful dinner.

I addressed the priests, reminding them of the commitments I’ve asked all our priests to make during this year for priests to deepen their own spiritual life.

With Msgr. Irwin

Then, I introduced Msgr. Kevin Irwin, who is the dean of the School of Theology at Catholic University of America.

Father Bob Barron was supposed to be our keynote speaker, but there were thunderstorms in Chicago and his plane couldn’t take off from O’Hare.

So one of my priest secretaries, Father Jonathan, called down to Washington and, I hear, interrupted Msgr. Irwin’s lunch! He immediately jumped on a plane and came up to Boston.

Msgr. Irwin gave a wonderful talk on presiding and preaching at Mass.

Afterwards, I accompanied monsignor to Regina Cleri to visit his colleague from the theology department at CUA, Father John Galvin. Father Galvin is recuperating from a fall but we are sure he will soon be returning to Catholic University.

My blessings,

Cardinal Seán

This week, John Garvey was announced as the 15th president of Catholic University. Many of you may know of him because he is currently the dean of the law school at Boston College.

Dean Garvey will be succeeding Bishop-elect David O’Connell, who will become coadjutor bishop for the Diocese of Trenton.

Bishop-elect O’Connell

For the last 12 years, Bishop-elect O’Connell has done an extraordinary job in expanding the university, particularly the undergraduate programs, increasing the number of buildings and its endowment. Most importantly, however, he has solidified the Catholic identity of the university by introducing a strong campus ministry, promoting vocations and pro-life activities and strengthening the devotional life of the university. He even introduced RENEW into the life of the campus, which brings students together for prayer, Scripture, Christian services, and friendship.

Bishop-elect O’Connell’s departure is bittersweet for the university, although we are very pleased the Holy Father has chosen to name him as the coadjutor bishop of Trenton. Bishop-elect O’Connell is going to a large diocese where his great pastoral talents and abilities will be of wonderful service to God’s people.

In the process of choosing a new president for the university, the search committee was headed up by the president of the board of trustees, Archbishop Allen Vigneron of Detroit. They worked with an executive search firm that identified about 150 different possible candidates. Many of those were interviewed, and final recommendations were made at our board meeting last week. It was very consoling that so many great candidates came forward and were interested in the position.

Dean Garvey has been an important figure at Boston College and has done so much to strengthen the Catholic identity of Boston College. We feel sure that he will build on the great accomplishments of Bishop-elect O’Connell.

With Dean Garvey in April of last year

Catholic University is the U.S. bishops’ university. It is the school of higher learning that trains so many of our leaders in the Church in theology, philosophy, and Canon Law and so has a very special place in the life of the Church in the United States.

This is an important appointment and of course Dean Garvey has our prayers. We look forward to Catholic University continuing to be an example of what Catholic higher institutions of learning can be — faithful to the Church’s Magisterium and our mission of evangelizing the culture.

See the John Garvey’s welcoming press conference here:

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Last week, I hosted a farewell dinner at the Cathedral for Sister Anthony Mary Diago. She was on the administrative staff in my office at the Pastoral Center.

Sister Anthony Mary, a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan, is now being assigned to Sydney, Australia, where her community has a house. She will be working on her doctorate in education there.

The Sisters of Mercy put great stress on the academic formation of all their religious.

We are very sorry to see her go. It was wonderful having her in the office. She was an extraordinary presence as a religious woman, particularly through her kindness to people who would call or visit. Also, her ability to speak Spanish was a great asset for the office here. We wish her God’s speed and much happiness Down Under.

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On Sunday, I celebrated our annual wedding anniversary Mass at the Cathedral.

Each year, we have a Mass for couples who are marking their silver or golden wedding anniversaries, and people who are celebrating 60 years of marriage as well.

During the Mass there is a renewal of vows

This year, the Cathedral was filled, it was certainly one of the larger groups we’ve had for the Mass.

It’s always a wonderful event and an opportunity for us to showcase the centrality of the Sacrament of Marriage in the life of the Church in today’s world, a world where more people are postponing marriage or foregoing marriage, where marriage is under attack because of the divorce mentality, the prevalence of cohabitation and even attempts to redefine what marriage is. The Church must be a very clear voice in defending traditional marriage and holding this up as an ideal for our people, which for us is a sacrament, a sign of the love and the unity that unites Christ and His Church, His bride.

We’re so grateful to our marriage ministries coordinator, Kari Colella, who did a wonderful job organizing this celebration, and to her committee as well, for working so hard to implement the recently-issued bishops’ pastoral on marriage.

Kari and her husband, Stephen

Kari and her colleagues are in the process of rolling out a new marriage preparation program for engaged couples. “Transformed in Love” is a 16-hour program that consists of presentations, reflections, prayer, and Mass, and discusses various aspects of marriage like communications skills, fertility awareness, finances, and decision-making.

Here are the photos of the anniversary couples we had this year:

The 60th Anniversary Couples

   The 50th Anniversary Couples

The 25th Anniversary Couples

- – -

After that, it was down to St. Petersburg for the spring meeting of the U.S. bishops.

There is a Spring meeting each year, though every few years it is held as a retreat rather than a business meeting. This was a retreat year.

The theme of the gathering was relationships between priests and bishops. There were many wonderful speakers during the course of the week including Archbishop Dolan, who gave a wonderful opening talk.

The retreat master for the week was Cardinal Peter Turkson, who had been with me in the Virgin Islands and is an old, dear friend. He used to spend his summer vacations helping us out when he was a student in Rome. He is now the head of the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace.

Cardinal Turkson

He is a Scripture scholar, so each day at lauds and vespers — and occasionally in some of the homilies he would give — there were always beautiful expositions of the Scriptural passages in the liturgy.

We also had talks by a number of people. One, in particular whom I had never heard before, but I thought did a wonderful job, was Archbishop Thomas Collins of Toronto. Also, Archbishop Robert Carlson of St. Louis gave an excellent reflection on the unity in the Church. Father Ron Knott from the Archdiocese of Louisville, who addressed our priest convocation here in Boston last year, was one of the responders to Archbishop Carlson’s talk.

Father Knott at our 2009 Priest Convocation

My committee was in charge of organizing Thursday’s activities. We had invited Archbishop Carlson and Father Knott, and I celebrated the Mass and preached the homily. We’re very grateful to Father David Toups, who with this meeting was ending his service in the bishops’ Office for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations. He is returning to him diocese of St. Petersburg.

Father Toups

St. Petersburg certainly was very hot! But the meeting was, I think, a great success. We had a very good turnout of bishops. It’s an opportunity for the bishops to be together, to interact with each other, to get to know each other better, and to build a spirit of unity among our bishops.

They had two films that they showed, The Blind Side and Invictus. Both of them had a great message, and the bishops enjoyed seeing them.

I had seen Invictus before my meeting in St. Petersburg, and I thought it was a very moving portrayal of the leadership of Nelson Mandela and his realization of the importance of unifying people rather than provoking polarizations and divisions among people.

As I was there, our Celtics were playing in the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Cardinal Roger Mahoney, of Los Angeles, made a wager with me about the series. Sadly, as you now know, we lost.

I am going to send him something typical of Boston, perhaps some lobsters. He was going to send California cathedral wines had the Celtics won. Since I am not a drinker, I suppose I didn’t really lose anything.

Of course, the result was disappointing but it was an honorable defeat. At least it wasn’t a rout and there is always next year.

While I was there, I was able to visit Mimi Murphy who is in an assisted living facility in Bradenton.

Mimi Murphy worked for over 30 years in Catholic immigration services for the USCCB and was very helpful to me in my ministry with immigrants because of her incredible knowledge of immigration law and her ability to help people in trouble to straighten out their immigration status. She’s had some health problems, but it was very good to see her. I had a wonderful visit with her.

- – -

Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Parish in Dorchester had relics of Mother Teresa on display there on earlier today.

The presence of her relics here are fond remembrances of the wonderful visits of Mother Teresa to our archdiocese. When I celebrated Mass on the anniversary of her death one year, I asked how many people had met her personally. Virtually, everyone’s hand went up. It was a great sign of the personal connection so many people had with her. Having her relics here is a great privilege for us and rekindles that affection and sense of connection to her.

The relics included Mother Teresa’s sandals, rosary and crucifix

Over the course of many years it was my privilege to be with Mother Teresa on several occasions, as a young priest during my time teaching at Catholic University, as Bishop in the West Indies and in hosting her visit to the Diocese of Fall River.

Through the work of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother changed people’s lives for the better and brought about an increased awareness of the needs of the sick and the suffering. Her humble and prayerful concern for all people, especially the most vulnerable, and her steadfast commitment to the protection of the unborn, is her spiritual legacy to us. We give thanks for Mother Teresa’s life and we pray that God instills in all of us the power of her love for every person in every part of the world.”

- – -

This is the time of year for sacraments — confirmations, weddings, and first Communions. I was very happy that the first Communion class at St. Michael’s in North Andover sent me this card.

Until my next posting.

In Christ,

Cardinal Seán

It was very encouraging to follow reports of the events that were held in Rome this week marking the conclusion of the Year for Priests.  I was not able to attend this celebration due to a special meeting at the Catholic University of America, where I serve on the board.  It was good to know that close to 15,000 priests from around the world gathered with our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, to give thanks to God for the gift of the priesthood.

In particular, the Holy Father’s remarks asking forgiveness for the sexual abuse of children by clergy were deeply moving.  Pope Benedict made clear that he is fully committed that the Church will do all that is possible to insure that this tragedy is never repeated.  We join the Holy Father in his prayerful efforts to promote healing and reconciliation for survivors, their families and loved ones and all the faithful.

- – -

And, as I think of service to the Church, I would like to mention how saddened we are to learn of the death of our brother Bishop Luigi Padovese, the Apostolic Vicar of Anatolia, in Turkey.

We pray his death will not be in vain, that the situation of the Church will be strengthened and Catholics will courageously live their faith.

The Holy Father’s visit to Cyprus helped with the problem of the shrinking number of Catholics and Christians in the region.

We were all very saddened by his death but realize that anyone serving the Church in such a high profile capacity in that part of the world is at risk. I am sure he served there gladly and lovingly because of his commitment to his vocation and his love for the Church.

The Capuchins have an historic presence in that part of the world, as a number of the bishops and missionaries there are Capuchins from around the world.

I knew Bishop Padovese personally, though not well. I had met with him and some other Capuchin bishops from the region.

The Archbishop of Izmir in Turkey, Archbishop Ruggero Franceschini and the Apostolic Vicar of Arabia, Bishop Paul Hinder, are also Capuchins.

We extend our condolences to Bishop Padovese’s province, his community, and his family.

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In happier news, I was pleased to learn that one of our Capuchin provincials, Father William Fey, has been named bishop of the Diocese of Kimbe in Papua New Guinea.

Father Fey studied in the seminary with me and I can say he is an extraordinary man.

He is a brilliant philosopher and theologian who taught at Oxford University for a time, but stepped away from the world of academia to become a missionary in one of the most challenging missions in the world, Papua New Guinea.

During his time there, he worked in parish ministry and trained priests in seminaries. He was a philosophy professor and later dean of the philosophy department at the Catholic Theological Institute in Bomana. He became a Capuchin provincial in the Diocese of Mendi in 2007.

He was an extraordinary provincial.

I spoke with him yesterday to wish him well. He has asked me to go to Papua New Guinea to do the ordination. I am not sure if I will be able to, but we are certainly all very proud of him and supportive of his new ministry.

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Now, on to the events of my week.

This past Wednesday, I attended an event for John Paul II Catholic Academy in Dorchester and Mattapan, where they honored Jack Connors and his wife, Eileen.

This year, the first Founders Award was given to the Connors in appreciation of all the work they did to make John Paul II Catholic Academy a reality.

There are now 1,300 students there.  The improvements to the curriculum, the building, and the school itself have been such a blessing.

We were regaled by songs from the children.  They also had 70 of their children who are learning the violin play for us.

Two of their graduates addressed us, and gave very beautiful testimonies of the difference the school has made in their lives.

The Yawkey Foundation honored five teachers.  They gave $5,000 to each of the five teachers.  One of them has been teaching there for 40 years.  They gave them a crystal baseball and an envelope.  None of them knew they were going to be honored, it was a complete surprise.  I told them you can lose, the baseball but don’t lose the envelope!

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Last Thursday, I went to St. Bartholomew Church in Needham to participate in the commencement exercises of St. Sebastian’s School.

St. Sebastian’s is a great treasure for the archdiocese in training Catholic gentlemen —Catholic leaders for the future.

Headmaster Bill Burke has a very keen commitment to the spiritual and theological formation of his students.

It is always a joy to be with them at St. Sebastian’s.

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In the afternoon I attended a ribbon cutting in Brookline with Lisa Alberghini of the Archdiocesan Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA), officials from the Town of Brookline, Representative Frank, St. Mary’s Parish representatives, Rabbi William Hamilton and many supporters and friends to celebrate the successful completion of the St. Aidan housing development.

St. Aidan was developed on former parish property and is now home to 59 families in a wonderful new mixed-income residential community. The 59 units include 20 affordable rental units for lower income families, and 16 affordable homes for first-time homebuyers. POUA, a social justice ministry of the Archdiocese of Boston, develops affordable and mixed-income housing where all people can live with dignity and respect in homes they can afford.

There were 500 applications for the lottery of the 20 affordable rental units, showing just how badly needed this type of housing is in Brookline. The development features three new buildings and preserved the historic Church structure where President John F. Kennedy was baptized, as well as a magnificent 150-year old Copper Beech tree that is a landmark in the neighborhood.

As you can see, the new residential community is beautiful. It is a testament to the legacy of the former parish and the vision of POUA, and it honors the faith of the community that worshipped at St. Aidan’s Church for many years.

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On Thursday evening, I attended a dinner to honor Sister Janet Eisner for her 30^th anniversary as president of Emmanuel College.

She has done an extraordinary job there turning around a difficult situation and giving leadership not only to Emmanuel but to the different colleges in the Fenway that came together in a consortium under her leadership.

The evening was a beautiful tribute to her.

She is a joy-filled and a faith-filled witness to her vocation and the Church’s commitment to Catholic education.

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After that, I flew to Atlanta for their Eucharistic Congress.

It was an extraordinary event. I was so impressed. There were 30,000 people there.

They had been inviting me for years, and I finally was able to go and give one of the conferences.

What amazed me was how many different immigrant groups were involved — Brazilians, Hispanics, Vietnamese, Haitians and Africans. The Church in Atlanta has grown so much.

The Archdiocese of Atlanta has been putting on this conference for 15 years. It was begun by Archbishop John Donoghue, who celebrated the 55^th anniversary of his priesthood while I was there. I was very happy we were able to have dinner together.

When I was a young priest in Washington, he was the vicar general and chancellor of our archdiocese. He was always very supportive of our ministry at the Centro Catholico, and always gave us a wonderful example of priestly ministry. It was a joy to be able to celebrate his anniversary of priestly ordination. Ad multos annos to Archbishop Donoghue!

Archbishop Gregory

It was also a joy to be with Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who as our president, oversaw the bishops conference through a difficult period in our history. He has done an extraordinary job in Atlanta.

We congratulate him and all the other participants and organizers of this very successful Eucharistic Congress.

- – -

I was back in Boston Sunday for a Eucharistic procession to mark the Feast of Corpus Christi and for the first communion of our Hispanic children at the Cathedral.

It is always wonderful to be with the Cathedral community and celebrate these milestones with them.

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As I mentioned earlier, following the celebration at the cathedral my hope had been to be able to travel to Rome to be with the Holy Father for the closing of the Year for Priests. However, I was needed in Washington because the board of directors at Catholic University had to come together to select a new president.

We are very pleased with the wonderful caliber of the candidates who applied for the position and we look forward to the announcement of the new president in the near future.

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On Wednesday, I was very happy to be able to be in New York to honor former Ambassador to the Holy See Mary Ann Glendon, who received the Path to Peace Award.

Ambassador Glendon receiving the award from Archbishop Celestino Migliore who is  the apostolic nuncio to the United Nations and president of the Path to Peace Foundation

The Path to Peace Foundation, which presents the award, is part of the Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations and works on behalf of the Holy Father to promote world peace and justice by distributing information and hosting conferences, seminars, and lectures.

Servitor Pacis (Servant of Peace) Awards were also given that night. They went to Kevin Ryan, who is president of Covenant House, and Dr. Peter Kelly, who is president of the CRUDEM Foundation and works at the Sacre Coeur Hospital in Milot, Haiti.

There was a very large turnout there. I was pleased to be there and very proud of Professor Glendon, who gave a beautiful address on the Church’s contribution to world peace.

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Finally, I want to congratulate John McNeice, Mary Ann McLaughlin, Patricia Dinneen, and Father Bill Williams, who received President’s Awards from Renew International for their commitment to the ARISE program here in the archdiocese. They were honored at a gala for Renew International in New Jersey.

Bishop Dooher; Sister Terry Rickard who is the President and Executive Director of RENEW International, Dr. Patrician Dinneen of our Archdiocesan Pastoral Council, our archdiocesan coordinator for ARISE Mary Ann McLaughlin and Father Bill Williams

Mary Ann and Renew staff members Sister Kathleen Phelan, Sister Maureen Colleary, Sister Terry Rickard and Honora Nolty

ARISE has been so successful in our parishes in building vibrant faith and service communities, increasing faith formation, and fostering greater participation in liturgies. Many impressive projects have developed from this effort, thanks to the commitment of the ARISE groups within the parishes and the leadership of our Worship and Spiritual Life Office.

I sent a letter to be read during the evening because I was unfortunately not able to be there. I want to also express my gratitude to Bishop John Dooher, our South Region bishop, for representing me and sharing the letter with the people there.

Until next week, blessings to you all,

Cardinal Seán

This week it was announced that the Holy Father has appointed a group of bishops to lead an Apostolic Visitation to the Church in Ireland. I am part of that group. I want to share with you the statement we published when the announcement was made as well as my interview with The Pilot this week:

With deep respect for Pope Benedict XVI and sincere humility, I have accepted the Holy Father’s request to serve as Apostolic Visitor to the Archdiocese of Dublin during the upcoming Apostolic Visitation of the Church in Ireland. I look forward to meeting with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin and our working together.

The Church must be unfailingly vigilant in protecting children and young people. Our ongoing efforts in the Archdiocese of Boston to ensure their safety will be helpful for the visitation.  It will also be important to respond to the concerns of the Catholic community and the survivors in the manner that will promote the process of healing.

The Holy Father’s letter to the Catholics of Ireland this past March made clear the priority of pastoral care and concern for all who have suffered from the sexual abuse of children by clergy and religious.  His prayer that, “by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church – a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity – [we] will come to rediscover Christ’s infinite love.’ will guide our efforts in this visitation.  I ask for the prayers of the Archdiocese of Boston for me and for our brothers and sisters in Ireland.  May the light of Christ, which is not overcome by any darkness, lead us forward.

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Tuesday of last week, I was visited by some members of Maryknoll who came to Boston as they are marking the organization’s 100^th anniversary. Maryknoll, as you may know, is an organization of priests, brothers, sisters, and laity who serve as missionaries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

They are producing a video to which they asked me to contribute, which I did very happily.

Some of the Maryknoll fathers, brothers, and sisters came because the organization was founded 100 years ago by Boston priest Father James Anthony Walsh, Father Thomas Frederick Price, of North Carolina, and Mother Mary Joseph Rogers, a Roxbury native.

Father James Anthony Walsh

Mother Mary Joseph Rogers

Fathers Walsh and Price founded the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers in 1911 and Mother Rogers founded the Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic in 1912.

Father Walsh had been a curate at St. Patrick’s in Roxbury. He was a graduate of St. John’s Seminary, where he was involved in mission projects even as a seminarian. In 1903, he became Diocesan Director for the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. He eventually founded Maryknoll and became a missionary in China.

Mother Rogers had been a student at Smith College in Northampton, where she studied zoology, and was one of the very few Catholics there. She also earned a teaching certificate at Boston Normal School. After graduation, she returned to Smith to serve as an assistant in the school’s biology department, and organized a mission club for the college’s Catholic students, inspired by the throngs of women leaving from Smith College to go to the missions. She also spent time teaching in Boston’s public schools, both at the elementary and high school levels. She also helped Father Walsh with his newly-established missionary magazine, The Field Afar.

This year, as they were celebrating their 100^th anniversary, they wanted to connect with their roots in Boston.

It’s very interesting that Boston also has the St. James Society, which was part of the missionary impetus of Cardinal Cushing. In Boston there has always been a lot of outreach to the missions. Even in my latest trips to Haiti, I was amazed to see how many local parishes have ties with agencies and parishes in Haiti. This strong missionary bent is part of our tradition here in the archdiocese.

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That evening, I went to the Boston College Club, located in the Financial District, for a dinner to honor our senior priests.

Every year, the Knights of Malta and the BC Club sponsor a dinner for the retired priests. They hold it in the BC Club, which is a beautiful venue. It is on the top floor of a building with a panoramic view of the city.

They always have entertainment. The Kevin Barry Pipes and Drums were there. Below I have included a video of their music so you can enjoy it as much as I did.

The group The Treasury Notes, who was started by former State Treasurer Robert Crane and his group of singers, always sing oldies but goodies that the men enjoy.

We are very grateful to Jack Joyce and Jim O’Connor from the Order of Malta for organizing it.

From left Jack Shaughnessy and Jim O’Connor

From left: Jack Joyce and Bob Crane

It was a very beautiful evening. We always end with the Salve Regina.

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We had the Master of Arts in Ministry program graduation at St. John’s Seminary last Wednesday afternoon.

There were eight graduates this year. It was the program’s tenth anniversary. They announced there have been almost 100 graduates in ten years.

Now, we also have the non-degree catechetical certificate program that has been started to train catechists.

We are very grateful to Dr. Aldona Lingertat, Father Arthur Kennedy, David and Angela Franks, and all of those who have been part of this program.

It really not only gives people the intellectual formation but also the spiritual and pastoral formation to prepare them for ministry in the parishes.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Aurelie A. Hagstrom, chair of the Department of Theology at Providence College. You can read more about her address and the graduation ceremony here.

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Last Wednesday we participated in the Silver Anniversary Celebration of the Crossroads Family Shelter in East Boston. The center was founded in 1985 by the late Father Bernie McLaughlin when he was pastor at Most Holy Redeemer Parish in East Boston.

In attendance were many of the people who have worked at or helped the center through the years, including Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina who used to work there.

Speaker Robert DeLeo also came to voice his support. There were also a number of the residents from the shelter at the reception. One woman spoke about how she was a battered woman who went there with her children for safe haven, and shared how well she was welcomed at the shelter. Father Tom Domurat, the pastor of Holy Redeemer, was there. Bishop Hennessey, who succeeded Father McLaughlin as pastor there, has also been very supportive of this mission.

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Sister Mary Black has been at Cathedral High School for 50 years. This year, they marked that by having a reception in her honor at the Seaport Hotel on Wednesday.

It was very, very well attended. It was a very successful fundraiser for the high school, but also an opportunity to recognize the selfless work and dedication of Sister Mary Black. So many of her former students came back for the dinner.

Sister is 80 years old, and in wonderful health and is vigorously active. It is obvious from all the people that came what an impact she had on the lives of so many of her former students.

It was a great success.

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I celebrated a Mass with our Golden Jubilarians this past Thursday at Regina Cleri.

The jubilarian priests

This year, most of the jubilarians are not residents at Regina Cleri but they go back there for the jubilee celebration which always includes a Mass and a nice dinner.

- – -

Father Richard Clancy and Sister Margaret Catherine Sims from Betania II, a retreat center in Medway came to visit me at the Cathedral, accompanied by an extraordinary Venezuelan choir.

Many of them were relatives, associates or devotees of Servant of God Maria Esperanza from Venezuela.

I led them in the rosary and then they sang a number of beautiful spiritual songs.

The last one they sang was Alma Llanera, a beautiful Venezuelan song that is considered the unofficial national anthem there. Unfortunately we do not have a recording of their singing. However, I like this song very much so I found this YouTube video that I want  to share with you .

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Last Friday, I had a luncheon with our newly-ordained priests and their families, as well as some of our seminaries’ faculty, at the Pastoral Center.

Every year, we have this little appreciation lunch. I always enjoy hearing some firsthand reports on their experiences saying their first Masses and so forth. It’s always a nice event.

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On Monday, I was in Miami for the installation of Archbishop Thomas Wenski.

I have known Bishop Wenski since the time he was a young priest working at Notre Dame d`Haiti Catholic Church, the Haitian parish in Miami. When I was a bishop in Palm Beach, he was auxiliary bishop of Miami.

He then became the coadjutor and eventually bishop in Orlando where he has been for the last seven years.

The bishop and I have served on a number of committees together. We were part of a commission that visited Cuba, and we are also on the commission together to deal with the earthquake in Haiti.

Archbishop Wenski is of Polish origins and he is very proud of his Polish ancestry. In fact, I used to tell people that when he was younger he had a moustache and looked just like Lech Walesa.

He, as a priest, worked with Cubans and Haitians and at Catholic Charities in Miami. In many ways, he is an extraordinary choice for the Archdiocese of Miami, being a priest of the archdiocese and a man who was so active in community affairs in the city. He returns bringing a lot of knowledge and experience in south Florida to the post.

He is, of course, very much involved in immigration issues.

When I was in Palm Beach, I was always happy to have a visit from Bishop Wenski, who is a Harley-Davidson aficionado. He often rode his bike from Miami to come see me.

This photo from the Florida Catholic shows him in action

When he left Orlando, the Harley-Davidson people put up a farewell sign for a week.

At the installation, it was interesting to see that virtually all the Haitian bishops came, as well as about six or seven bishops from Cuba. Someone commented it was the first time the Haitian bishops ever took a trip together as a group.

It did allow us to have a meeting with Father Small, the CRS representatives, and all the Haitian bishops. We spent the morning before the installation planning some of the recovery work for Haiti with the Haitian bishops, which was another advantage of being able to go to Miami for the installation.

The installation was at St. Mary’s Cathedral, a beautiful Hispanic colonial church.

Before my return to Boston I was able to see a lot of my family which is always a very nice benefit.

Peace,

Cardinal Seán

Hello again and welcome!

I have announced this week the creation of the Catholic Media Group, which is wonderful news for the archdiocese. We are committed to do even more in the way we use the media to communicate the Gospel message. We are grateful for Scot Landry’s willingness to head up this excellent new initiative. His ability and commitment to evangelization makes him the right person for this task.

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Last Thursday we hosted a meeting with 32 of the major superiors of women religious of congregations present in the archdiocese.

Sister Marian Batho, our Delegate for Religious

At that meeting we presented, as we have been doing in the vicariates, the various priorities of the diocese and gave them the opportunity to give their input and reaction.

Father David

Father David Couturier made a presentation and then the sisters voiced their opinions and had an opportunity to ask questions.

It was a wonderful opportunity to gather with the leaders of our women religious, who make such an important contribution to the life of our archdiocese.

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That same day Bishop Norbert Strotmann, Bishop of Chosica, Peru came by for a visit.

Bishop Strotmann

He’s a German national but he’s been a missionary his whole life in Peru. He was up for the graduation at Stonehill College, where he received an honorary degree over the weekend. Bishop Strotmann has always been very supportive of the St. James Society in Peru.

With Bishop Strotmann, Father Arthur Colgan and Father Mark Cregan and Tom Shields

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That evening, Catholic Charities held its annual spring celebration at the JFK Library.

Honored this year was a native Bostonian, Ken Hackett. Ken is the president of Catholic Relief Services.

It was a unique opportunity to showcase the work of Catholic Charities locally as well as the relief work being done by the Catholic community in the United States throughout the world, particularly in Haiti .

There was quite an emphasis on what CRS has done in Haiti. You can read Ken’s interview with The Pilot here.

We also honored the late Jack Driscoll, who had been a chair of Catholic Charities. His son, John, gave a very beautiful account of his father’s faith and his devotion to the Church and to Catholic Charities. It was quite touching.

John Driscoll

We presented his wife, Jane, with a plaque remembering all the great work he had done for Catholic Charities.

We also announced a gift in honor of the memory of philanthropist Ray Tye from his family. The gift of $75,000 will go toward the St. Peter’s Teen Center in Dorchester.

Catholic Charities president Tiziana Dearing also spoke about Charities’ great commitment to the poor and the great work they do, especially in the current economic climate.

It was good to see my friends there at the Spring Celebration…

… including my good friend Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. Cardinal McCarrick is on the board of CRS.

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On Saturday, I ordained three men to the priesthood: Fathers Daniel Moloney, Guy Sciacca and Gregory Vozzo. Fathers Moloney and Vozzo studied at St. John’s seminary and Father Sciacca completed his studies at Blessed John XXIII.

Fathers Vozzo, Sciacca and Moloney

It is always a wonderful event for me to welcome new priests and, although this is a very small class for us, the day was beautiful.

As I have mentioned in the past, in a way the size of the class reflects the fact that seven years ago the crisis was, in a sense, in full bloom. So, it wasn’t a time when there were a lot of men coming to the seminary.

You can hear my homily here:

and you can see more photos for the ordination here:

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That evening I attended the 125^th Anniversary of Immaculate Conception parish in Everett.

It was wonderful to be able to celebrate this wonderful milestone with the parish.

Father Gerry Osterman is doing a such a good job there.

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On Pentecost Sunday, I celebrated the Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Methuen. It was the 10^th anniversary of the merging of the parishes which became Our Lady of Good Counsel. Fr. Peter Gori, the former pastor, was there along with Bishop McNaughton, who is originally from this parish. Father Gosselin, who celebrated the 51^st anniversary of his ordination this year and who lives in the parish, also concelebrated.

Father Marc Bishop is the pastor there and the communities have come together beautifully.

It is a very beautiful church with wonderful stained glass windows of St. Theresa in the apse.

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Later that day I attended the dedication of a Memorial Stone dedicated to the founders of the Massachusetts Ace of Clubs organization: Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy and Miriam Finnigan at the St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center in Dorchester. The club is marking its 100^th Anniversary this year, and so they wanted to mark it in a special way by this event.

As a young woman Rose Kennedy, along with Miriam Finnigan founded the club for Catholic women to support different charitable institutions. They have done so much to help many worthy causes over the years. We are so grateful for all they do.

For 100 years the club has been very supportive of many different organizations, particularly of what is now called the St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center. Originally it was called St. Margaret’s Hospital and Rose even delivered Ted Kennedy there.

Judy Beckler is the president at St. Mary’s and she is doing an outstanding job.

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That evening, I confirmed close to 200 people from the Brazilian community. This is the second year that we have celebrated the confirmations for the Brazilian community at the Cathedral.

in addition to the teens, there were also quite a number of young adults who were confirmed.

It was a very long celebration – over three hours – but it was met with great enthusiasm and great energy.

I was sorry that Sister Lissette was not with us this year, but she is in Rome celebrating her silver anniversary. I want to give special congratulations to her. She is a dynamo in the Brazilian apostolate and she was sorely missed this year. We wish her many more beautiful years in her life as a sister.

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On Monday, May 24^th Boston College held its commencement.

The commencement speech was given by Jeffrey Immelt, the chairman and CEO of General Electric.

Among the candidates honored was Sister Mary Hart who is a religious and has worked for many years at St. Katharine Drexel Parish in Roxbury.

She is very much an icon in that community.  I was so happy that Boston College chose to honor her. I am very pleased that in the last few years Boston College has honored someone working with the poor in the archdiocese, and I think that is a very good thing to hold up for the students to see.

They also gave an honorary degree to Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor – the Archbishop Emeritus of Westminster in England.

It was a beautiful and joyous day.

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On Tuesday I celebrated Mass and attended the Annual Dinner of Por Cristo, a charitable medical services organization working in Ecuador. Por Cristo is part of Caritas Christi.

The Mass took place in the chapel at Emmanuel College and the dinner, which was extraordinarily delicious, was in the College’s Yawkey Center.

Sister Janet

Sister Janet Eisner, President of Emmanuel, and everyone there always offer such wonderful hospitality.

It was great to be with a number of members of the Por Cristo Board of Trustees, including Gary Kaneb who is the board chair. Gary and his wife, Diane, sponsor the dinner which means that all the money raised goes to the important mission of Por Cristo.

Gary and Diane Kaneb

As I mentioned, Por Cristo’s work takes place in Ecuador and involves providing health care to some of the poorest of the poor. Por Cristo has been around for over 30 years having started in response to Pope John Paul II’s visit to Boston in 1979.

For many years, they sent over 120 volunteer medical teams on short missions to Ecuador. Then in 1995, in response to requests for help in dealing with the terrible problem of malnutrition which was killing many children, Por Cristo developed a new model which employed local Ecuadorian medical professionals working full-time year round. This led to the construction of the Por Cristo Nutrition and Health Center, which is a primary care clinic in the Isla Trinitaria barrio of the city of Guayaquil. Last year at the center, the staff of 16 conducted over 18,500 consultations, mainly to children under the age of five and women of child-bearing age, in all sorts of medical disciplines.

Por Cristo has maintained one of the traveling teams, that being its Pediatric Cardiology Team. Dr. Tom Hougen, the team’s leader and a member of the Por Cristo Board came up for the Mass and dinner from Washington, DC, and it was great to see him. This group has been at work for over 20 years and in addition to their annual visit to Ecuador, they donate a great deal of materials and equipment. Last year, thanks to Por Cristo’s donations and teaching, Ecuadorian doctors were able to conduct over 1,0000 cardiac procedures on children throughout the year.

With Dr. Hougen and Joe Reardon

As Joe Reardon, Executive Director, of Por Cristo pointed out at the dinner, with the world economy being what it is and the real need to respond to so many disasters around the world, it would be very easy to forget the everyday poor in so many places like Ecuador. We can’t let that happen.

- – -

On Sunday I visited with Pablo and Beatriz Casco — they were visiting from Honduras. They are both attorneys and were here for a legal convention.  They are brother and sister.

I baptized Beatriz 25 years ago in Washington. Her parents are very dear friends of mine who, many years ago, gave me the lovely statue of the patroness of Honduras – Nuestra Señora de Suyapa – which is in the chapel in the rectory.

We took this picture so that they could show their parents.

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Also on Sunday we were visited by four Capuchin friars. They were here for the Brazilian Confirmations. They were Father Paul Dressler, Brother Richard, Brother Juan Antonio and Brother Philip from Bavaria, Germany, who has been studying at Capuchin College in Washington.

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Every year we try to identify the tackiest piece of kitsch-art that comes from Lourdes. This year it’s the Lourdes back scratcher and shoe horn that somebody brought to me. Last year it was a potholder, and the year before that it was a clock that played the Lourdes hymn for the alarm!

This year’s winner!

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Finally, this Memorial Day, please remember to pray for all those who have given their lives for our country. May they rest with the Lord.

I hope and pray you all have a safe and restful long weekend!

Cardinal Seán

I was very happy to be back in Boston this week, though I enjoyed the pilgrimage and the opportunity to be with our Holy Father. His visit to Portugal was a great success. I was very privileged to have been a part of it.

While I was there news reports focused on one of our schools whose pastor decided to rescind the admission of a child of a same-sex couple. Due to the importance of the matter, I published a special post on Wednesday that you can read here.

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On the way back from Portugal I passed through Cleveland in order to preside at the wedding of Gabriel Somarriba and Mary Rose Rybac.

Gabriel’s family is from Nicaragua and his father works at the Nunciature. I married his parents and have known his family for many, many years.

Gabriel married a wonderful woman who is the managing editor of the Catholic journal First Things. Mary Rose is from Fairview Park, Ohio, which is very close to where my family lives.

So, in addition to having the wedding Mass, I was able to celebrate Mass with the Poor Clare Colettine Nuns where I celebrated my first Mass 40 years ago. I was also able to visit with my Uncle Ed, Aunt Therese, my cousin Annette, her husband John, and their three children — Patrick, Matthew, and Seán.

I also had a chance to visit with the Capuchin friars there. I was pleased to see Father Bob McCreary and the friars who are at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, which is near Cleveland. Father McCreary is the formation director at the seminary.

As you can imagine, it was a very busy schedule.

- – -

Sunday afternoon I arrived back in Boston, and I was off to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary’s gala dinner. John and Marguerite McNeice were honored for their support of the House of Formation and I was also honored with the first Evangelization Award that they are planning to offer every year.

The event began with a Mass at the Bethany Chapel followed by a cocktail hour.

During that event, some members of the Haitian community attending spoke very kindly of our efforts to help in the recovery efforts there after the earthquake, and they gave me a plaque.

The gala dinner, the first one they have organized, took place at the Pastoral Center and it was a great success.  I understand this was the largest function we have hosted to date at the Pastoral Center.

The evening gave the seminarians a chance to meet the people and tell them a little bit about the seminary.

They gave John and Margarete an icon of the Blessed Mother.

They gave me this wonderful icon of St. Francis, a replica of the one in Florence.

As at many Catholic events, though, there were great challenges in getting the audiovisual to work. In the meantime, the seminarians regaled us with wonderful singing. Here is the video presentation that we were finally able to enjoy.

At the end of the evening, they presented me with a lovely cake in honor of my 40th anniversary of priestly ordination.

As they presented it the seminarians sang Las Mañanitas for us!

- – -

Mary Jane England, the president of Regis College in Weston, visited me Tuesday to share with me information about an important outreach program of the college.

Regis is working to develop a program in Haiti to train nursing instructors. They have brought a number of nurses up to their program at the Boston hospitals to acquaint them with the most modern equipment, and emergency and operating room procedures. It is one more example of our Catholic institutions of higher learning participating in this wider mission of the Church to help the people of Haiti.

- – -

The Sisters of St. Joseph held an evening prayer at their motherhouse in Boston on Tuesday to mark the Year for Priests. Individual sisters invited priests of the archdiocese.

There was a vesper service, and afterwards we had a reception.

Everyone had a wonderful time and it seemed the sisters really enjoyed the priests’ company. There were about 200 priests in attendance. There was standing room only in the chapel.

At the end, they asked me to give some brief remarks. I thanked the sisters and I acknowledged the very important role that religious women have had in the history of our archdiocese and our personal lives as priests.

So often it was the sisters who taught us how to pray and taught us our faith, and planted the seed of vocation in our heart. They were frequently the ones who nourished our spiritual life by their example, their prayer, and their ministry in Catholic education, health care, and so many other areas.

- – -

On Wednesday, I celebrated a Mass for the consecrated virgins in our archdiocese. We have about a dozen in all, most of whom were able to be with us that day.

Every year, we have a Mass and lunch with the consecrated virgins of the archdiocese to support and pray with them and be updated on their lives and activities. Sister Marian Batho is my delegate and liaison with the consecrated virgins.

At the Mass, I outlined for the people the history of the consecrated virgins in the Church and their restoration after the Second Vatican Council, as well as the important contribution they make as witnesses of the Resurrection and ministers of charity in our midst.

- – -

After that, members of the St. Boniface Haiti Foundation from Randolph visited me at Pastoral Center.

They were here to talk to me about the hospital, Fond des Blancs, and the school they are supporting in Haiti and to invite me on some future trip there to go and say Mass for their people. This is one of the longstanding commitments of the Catholics of Boston, under the leadership of Father Gerry Osterman, to support the people of Haiti.

- – -

I was also fortunate to be visited that day by Dr. Paul O’Malley, his wife Carolyn, and Dr. Michael Lescault for a brief conversation about Irish history. Dr. O’Malley (no relation) is a history professor at Providence College and Dr. Lescault is a PC alum and theology teacher at Bishop Fenwick High School in Peabody. So, they updated me on things at the college as well.

With Michael Lescault  and  Carolyn and Paul O’Malley

Dr. O’Malley is an associate of Dr. Richard Grace, who is a very good friend of mine from my Fall River days. Dr. Grace also teaches history at PC.

I was happy to show them my picture of Grace O’Malley’s castle, which was given to me as a gift. One of the big legends in our family is about this pirate queen, Grace O’Malley. It depicts her castle on Clare Island, which is, in reality, little more than a fortified tower.

On my coat of arms I have a ship, which actually comes from her coat of arms.

Dr. O’Malley was telling me that he met a priest in Ireland who was a Father O’Malley who commented that the family motto is “Terre Marique Potens,” which in one reading means “powerful on land and sea” but, in a play on words, “potens” sounds very much like the latin word for “drinking,” so “drinking on land and sea.”

I may have mentioned that the historical documents about her indicate that once when she met with Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth offered her a title of nobility because that was a way Elizabeth would co-opt these Catholic leaders. Grace turned her down, saying “In Ireland, I’m already a queen. I don’t need your titles.”

The interesting thing is their conversation was in Latin. She probably didn’t speak English. Back in the 1500’s English had not penetrated western Ireland. So, the lingua franca in that part of the country was still Latin.

Grace was quite a character. There are many songs, plays and books written about her and her exploits. She was certainly the scourge of the British!

- – -

Recently there was a cursillo, Cursillo #416 at MCI Norfolk, which is a house of correction here in Massachusetts. Paul Blanchette was the rector.

I had sent them a “palanca” for the cursillo and in acknowledgement of that, they sent me this card. It was signed by all the prisoners who made the cursillo.

- – -

You may recall that in last week’s post, I wrote that I recently published a book in Portugal and while I was there on my pilgrimage to Fatima, I gave a number of interviews about it.

The name of the book is “Anel e Sandálias”, which in Portuguese means “The Ring and Sandals.”

It is a book that contains a lot of different conferences and talks that I have given in various languages, all translated into Portuguese.

Perhaps the most salient feature of the book was that the preface was written by Ignacio Larrañaga, who is one of the best spiritual writers in Latin America. As I mentioned in the introduction, the only problem with the preface is that it is so good it eclipses the rest of the book!

It is the second book I have published in Portugal. It just happened to come out while I was there. The Daughters of St. Paul asked me to give a number of interviews about it. In both cases, the book was relegated to about one sentence and the rest was about the Pope.  If you speak some portuguese you can watch one of those interviews here.

This Sunday is Pentecost, which marks the birthday of the Church. The feast recalls the Holy Spirit descending upon the Apostles. May the fruits of the Holy Spirit be alive in your lives.

As always, peace,

Cardinal Seán

At the Mass I met the woman’s daughter, a lovely little girl. I asked her what grade she was in. She replied that she didn’t go to school. I sent a stern glance to her grandmother, who said: “Her name is the same as that of the brothel. The other children were so cruel to her, she left the public school.” I told her grandmother, “Take her to the Catholic school tomorrow.”

Catholic schools exist for the good of the children and our admission standards must reflect that. We have never had categories of people who were excluded. We have often given preference to children from a parish where a school is located, siblings of children already enrolled at the school or Catholic children from nearby parishes. Sometimes we might not be able to accept children, because of behavioral problems or other circumstances that would be disruptive to a school community. While there are legitimate reasons that might lead to a decision not to admit a child, I believe all would agree that the good of the child must always be our primary concern.

As you might know, St. Paul School in Hingham has been at the center of a matter that was widely reported on recently, involving a child of same sex parents who wanted their child to attend the school. One of the very unfortunate results of the public reporting on the issue was undue criticism of Father James Rafferty who is pastor at St. Paul Parish, and who I consider one of our finest pastors. He made a decision about the admission of the child to St. Paul School based on his pastoral concern for the child. I can attest personally that Father Rafferty would never exclude a child to sanction the child’s parents. After consulting with the school principal, exercising his rights as pastor, he made a decision based on an assessment of what he felt would be in the best interest of the child. I have great admiration for Fr. Rafferty; he has my full confidence and support.

In Boston we are beginning to formulate policies and practices to deal with these complex pastoral matters. In all of our decision making, our first concern is the welfare of the children involved. With that in mind, the essence of what we are looking at is the question of how do we make Catholic schools available to children who come from diverse, often unconventional households, while ensuring the moral theology and teachings of the Church are not compromised? It is true that we welcome people from all walks of life. But we recognize that, regardless of the circumstances involved, we maintain our responsibility to teach the truths of our faith, including those concerning sexual morality and marriage. We need to present the Church’s teachings courageously and yet in a way that is compassionate and persuasive.

The Archdiocese of Denver has formulated a policy that calls into question the appropriateness of admitting the children of same-sex couples. It is clear that all of their school policies are intended to foster the welfare of the children and fidelity to the mission of the Church. Their positions and rationale must be seriously considered.

I want to also recognize the work of Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, Secretary for Education. She was respectful of all the people involved in this matter and showed leadership in attempting to resolve the matter as was within her responsibilities as Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese.

There were no easy decisions made and all the people involved approached this from the same perspective: the pastoral care and best interests of the child.

Going forward, we will be consulting on these issues with a wide-range of people including the Presbyteral Council and Archdiocesan Pastoral Council. We will work to develop policies and procedures to guide our faithfully carrying on the mission of our Catholic Schools to serve children and to do so with the heart of Christ.

Hello again,

Last Thursday, I was very honored to receive an honorary doctorate from Ave Maria University in Florida.

Ave Maria is a relatively new Catholic university that was founded by Tom Monaghan, a man who had been raised in a Catholic orphanage and became a multi-millionaire as the founder of Domino’s Pizza.

At one point in his life after reading C.S. Lewis’ “Mere Christianity” he had a deep conversion and has decided to use all of his wealth on behalf of the Church and society.

I first became aware of his work when he rebuilt the cathedral in Managua, Nicaragua, after the earthquake there in 1972. He also sent his plane to the Virgin Islands with generators when I was trying to open the schools after Hurricane Hugo.

We opened the Catholic schools immediately in tents but I needed generators to be able to flush the toilets. I told the pastors: If we can flush the toilets we can open the schools.

The public schools were closed for about two years, but we opened the Catholic schools immediately. His jet plane brought the generators down and, when he landed, all the people on St. Croix were so excited. The planes said Domino’s Pizza on them and we were living on coconut milk and cold baked beans at the time. They said “The bishop sent out for pizza!”

This was my first visit to the campus there in Florida, near Naples. The president is Dr. Nick Healy, who is the uncle of a Boston priest serving on the faculty of St. John’s, Father Bob Oliver. The university has about 800 students at that campus, another 500 in Nicaragua, plus the law school, which they have moved down to Naples.

Our vocations director, Father Dan Hennessey, and I meeting with Tom Monaghan and Nick Healy

They have something like 1,000 acres of land for expansion. The plan is to make this a very large Catholic university. Tom Monaghan said his vision is to have a Notre Dame-sized university in the south, with very special emphasis on the religious formation of the student body and promoting vocations to priesthood, Christian marriage, consecrated life, and lay ministries.

It’s amazing what has been achieved there.

They have established the university in a part of the state that is a very rural area where they grow tomatoes and oranges, and where life can be hard for people. But they felt called to locate it in that area rather than closer to Naples in order to be able to serve the needy.

They have a beautiful chapel, which they just dedicated recently.

They are also putting a large sculpture of the Annunciation over the doors of their oratory.

A small, scale model of the sculpture

We met the artist, Marton Varo, who is working to create it and he gave us a piece of the marble chipped from the sculpture as a remembrance of our visit.

We met a number of the students from Boston who are there, and some of the members of the faculty who had gone to Boston College.

I was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, which they presented to me at the end of the Baccalaureate Mass I celebrated the evening before the commencement.

At the commencement itself, they awarded two other honorary doctorates — one to novelist Mary Higgins Clark and the other to Catholic entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hanna.

Mary is a very outstanding Catholic lay woman. She recently was named a Dame of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, which is the highest honor a lay person can receive from the Holy Father.

Ave Maria, like Steubenville, Magdalen College and Thomas More College, are colleges that have come about to give a very serious Catholic formation to their students through their strong Catholic identity.

A very large percentage of the student body at Ave Maria is majoring in theology. They have very rigorous standards for intellectual formation.

The law school is already rated as one of the best in the country with one of the highest rates of people passing the bar exam on the first try.

Tom Monaghan is not just starting a Catholic summer camp, but the idea is to make it a profoundly serious intellectual community that is very demanding of the students.

They had quite a cross-section of graduates from all over the country. It was very impressive to see how many places were represented at the graduation.

- – -

On Sunday, I was back in Boston to celebrate a Mother’s Day Mass at St. Peter Parish in Dorchester with the Cape Verdean community. I concelebrated with St. Peter’s pastor, Father Jack Ahern.

Afterwards, we visited the parish center. The church was full. They had a wonderful musical program in honor of the mothers.

The Capuchins have had a very longstanding relationship with the Cape Verdean community since the time of Padre Pio and the Hermanas Franciscanas de la Imaculada Concepcion (Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception), an order founded by Padre Pio to work among the Cape Verdeans.

The Mass ended with a crowning with the Holy Ghost crown because the Sundays before Pentecost for the Portuguese-speaking Catholics are the “Domingas.”

At the end of Mass a family is consecrated to the Holy Spirit. They take the Holy Ghost crown to their home for a week, and then the following week another family will have it — all part of the Novena before Pentecost.

On the way to the Mass, I stopped off at the Mothers Walk for Peace that takes place each year in Dorchester.  Many mothers who were in the march also participated in the Mass at St. Peter’s.

- – -

After that I flew to Portugal to accompany the Holy Father on his visit there.

While in Portugal, I had a confirmation ceremony for a young man I had baptized many years ago.

I recently published a book there, "Anel e Sandálias" so there were a number of interviews about the book.

We had Mass with the Holy Father in Lisbon, at the Terreiro do Paço, right near the bank of the river Tajo. It was a glorious celebration. The crowd filled the plaza. Many of the streets and neighboring plazas had screens so the overflow crowd could be a part of it. They think there were about 200,000 people there, and there were another half million at the shrine in Fatima on Thursday.

The Holy Father’s visit has been marked with great enthusiasm, particularly on the part of young people. It was very encouraging to see how many young people participated in the celebrations.

At Fatima, on Wednesday night the Holy Father presided at a vespers ceremony for priests, seminarians, and those in consecrated life. There was a Eucharistic benediction, and the Holy Father led us in the rosary at the Capelinha das Aparições, the place of the apparitions. Then we had the candlelight procession with a half million people. It was spectacular singing all the familiar Fatima songs. That culminated in a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Bertone at 10:30 or 11 o’clock at night.

Thursday morning, there was another rosary at 9:00 a.m. and then a procession with the statue of Our Lady to the altar on the steps of the Basilica where the Holy Father celebrated the Mass.

Afterwards, the Holy Father blessed the sick with the Blessed Sacrament. Then we carried the statue back to the capelinha singing the famous farewell song to the Blessed Virgin, the Senhora do Rosário. It was very, very moving to see half a million people waving their handkerchiefs as the statue is returned to the capelinha.

Then, I had lunch with John Allen, a writer for the National Catholic Reporter and a Vatican analyst for several national media outlets.

We are staying in the same place as the Holy Father during our visit

My original intention had been to meet up in Fatima with a group of about 80 people from Boston led by Father Walter Carreiro from Saint Anthony in Cambridge.

They began their pilgrimage in the Azores and were to continue on to Fatima. Unfortunately, because of flight delays caused by the volcanic ash from Iceland, they were unable to get here in time.

However, we did run into Loretta Gallagher, who founded the Serra Club in Boston who was here with a group from the Boston area.

In fact, I myself got stranded for a day in Dublin because our plane left six hours late. It did however, did give me a chance to visit St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral in Dublin. I took Father Jonathan Gaspar, my priest secretary who accompanied me on this trip, to see the Book of Kells, the famous Gospel at Trinity College.

We spent a few hours in Dublin because our flight was cancelled, again, due to the volcanic ash.

I was very struck by several comments the Holy Father made during his pastoral visit to Portugal.

He underscored the importance of the saints and sanctity. I think he was trying to emphasize that even in such a secular culture we are called to be witnesses of the Gospel values and to do so with enthusiasm and joy.

The Holy Father also had a very interesting meeting with artists and people from the world of culture where he made some very interesting statements too.

On the plane he talked about the sexual abuse crisis and was very clear that the causes for our pain are not from outside the Church but from the sin and the failings of people within the Church. So, calling to mind the message of Fatima of conversion, of penance, and of prayer is a very important one for us.

The Holy Father was very clear that he was not dismissing — as some have — the sexual abuse crisis as a media blitz, but it is squarely a problem we have to own up to and deal with. He placed the safety of children and the mission of the Church to call people to holiness and conversion at the center of his message.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

Our conversations between Caritas Christi and Cerberus Capital Management have continued, and it looks very positive.

We announced yesterday that an agreement has been reached with Cerberus that ensures the Catholic identity of the Caritas Christi hospitals. The sale is still pending as the Attorney General has to review it, but this stewardship agreement was a key component for us because it will preserve the Catholic identity of Caritas.

The Boston Globe recently published a very interesting story about St. Vincent’s Hospital in the Worcester Diocese showing how a hospital that has been taken over by a for-profit corporation has been able to maintain its Catholic identity and sense of Catholic mission. This is what we are hoping we can accomplish with Caritas.

Catholic moral and ethical principles are at the heart of the Catholic mission but, at the same time, we are committed to service to the poor, the underprivileged and immigrants.

- – -

On Thursday, I went to Lombardo’s in nearby Randolph, to be a part of our Symposium for Adolescent Catechesis.

I gave brief remarks where I thanked everyone for their commitment to youth faith formation and encouraged them in their efforts.

This event brings together many people involved in various aspects of youth ministry in our parishes and schools. Those who are a part of this typically are youth ministers, high school or middle school teachers, and parish catechists or religious education directors.

Andrea Alberti, a local campus minister and youth minister spoke in the morning about the importance of understanding today’s youth culture.

Also, this year, we were happy to welcome Randy Raus to be our keynote speaker. Randy is the president of Life Teen, an international organization that is at the forefront of evangelizing young people today. Many of our parishes have incorporated the Life Teen program into their youth ministry, and even those who have not formally adopted it use many of the elements of Life Teen’s program.

Rand Rouse

He gave two talks which gave our catechists excellent advice on how to reach young people today.

Janet Benestad, our Secretary for Faith Formation and Evangelization also addressed the gathering

Father Matt Williams and his team from our Office for the New Evangelization of Youth & Young Adults have organized this for two years now. Each year, it provides a wonderful way for those involved in youth ministry to come together for prayer and support.

Father Matt

With Randy Rouse and Lisa Alberti

- – -

Thursday evening, I attended the annual fundraiser for the Catholic Charities Labouré Center. They had it in the new venue, Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston, and it was very well attended.

They were honoring John and Margarete McNeice for all of their support. Jack Shaughnessy and many members of his family were also there, as were many supporters of Laboure.

Bob Kelly and Craig Gibson, who are on the board of the Laboure Center

Bill Bulger

They had an auction and one of the items was a “brunch with the Cardinal,” which brought in $5,000. That will be at the Cathedral some time soon. I look forward to it!

- – -

Also in the evening, I went to St. Rose of Lima in Chelsea for a graduation ceremony of the Instituto de Formación de Laicos, our lay formation program for the Hispanic community.

Bishop Emilio Allué celebrated the Mass and I gave an address and distributed the diplomas. Many of our priests working in Hispanic ministry joined us for the graduation and our Secretary of Faith Formation and Evangelization, Janet Benestad was there as well.

Afterwards there was a social in the parish hall.

IFL is a rigorous program. For two years, students attended classes on Saturdays at the Pastoral Center. Each weekly session begins with prayer, and is followed by two 90 minutes classes. Classes are taught by priests, theologians and experienced lay ministers in the Hispanic community.

In the final semester students are asked to select an area of concentration. This year students received formation in catechesis and evangelization, marriage and family life, adult faith formation, youth ministry, liturgy, and ministry to prisons and hospitals.

One of the great needs that we have in the Catholic community is adult faith formation, particularly the kind of formation that could prepare people for lay ministry and leadership roles in our parishes. This program goes a long way in meeting those needs.

We are grateful to the director, Pilar Latorre, who has done an extraordinary job in the formation programs for Hispanic leaders as well as to all the professors and her staff.

We are very gratified by the enthusiasm of the students and I was pleased to see that two of the students were husband and wife, which was nice.

- – -

Friday evening, I was very happy to meet with all our seminarians who are studying for Boston.

I regularly meet with small groups of seminarians for dinner and conversation, but I only get a chance to meet with all of them once or twice a year.

We began the evening with a holy hour in the Pastoral Center chapel and then we had a dinner together.

- – -

On Saturday, I had confirmations at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Westwood, Father Chris Coyne’s parish.

It was a very large class. I think there were almost 70 young people there.

Confirmation, of course, is a very important event in the lives of young people. As the archbishop, I am always delighted to be able to be a part of that and to encourage them in a life of discipleship and fidelity to the Lord. I also invite them to reflect on the importance and centrality of the Eucharist in our lives as Catholics, to be part of a worshiping community, and also talk to them about the personal vocation that we have. I always highlight the priesthood and marriage.

- – -

That evening, I attended the gala dinner at St. Elizabeth’s. It was very well attended.

St. Elizabeth’s is the largest of our Catholic hospitals. They recently opened up a new emergency room. It has been a great addition to the hospital.

They have a billboard there that is updated live and tells how long it takes to be able to see a doctor. When I drove by the other day it was two minutes. That is incredible because you hear all these horror stories (maybe you’ve had one yourself) about going to the emergency room and having to wait for hours. Sometimes it can feel like you could bleed to death before you see a doctor. Well, not at St. Elizabeth’s.

The new emergency room there is very efficient and it is just wonderful. Of course I hope none of you ever have to use it!

The event also gave me an opportunity to thank Dr. Ralph de la Torre and all of the doctors and nurses. Michelle Fay was also there, as was Dr. Mark Pearlmutter. Both Dr. Pearlmutter and Michelle had been with me in Haiti a couple of weeks earlier. Our Catholic hospital system here sent about $1 million in medical aid, personnel, and the hospital tents to aid the people of Haiti.

I presented Dr. de la Torre with a crucifix and a shield with the crest of the Maltese cross that I brought back with me from Haiti. The Catholic hospital we are supporting down there is run by the Order of Malta.

- – -

On Sunday, I went to St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Melrose to celebrate a Mass to mark their centennial anniversary.

It was an overflow crowd with standing room only. They had people in the downstairs church watching it on closed-circuit television.

Two of the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus who are working in the parish were there. Their order started the school 100 years ago and these women are still working in the parish and the Catholic school is still thriving.

The mayor of the town, Robert Dolan, spoke.

Also, the man whom they call “the mayor,” was there too, sitting in the front row. He had been mayor of the town for 20 years and he is still is the organist at the parish. He is 100 years old. He was born something like a week before they opened the church. He could have been one of the first baptized!

The principal, the faculty, the students, and their Board of Trustees were all very much in evidence there. They had a wonderful group of very well-trained servers.

Among the concelebrants were Father Bernard Shea and Msgr. Alfonso Palladino, who both are in residence at the parish. Msgr. Palladino has been a priest for 67 years so he was ordained before I was born, and he is still very active. Father Shea has been a priest for almost 60 years and he is also in great shape.

- – -

Deacon Patrick Moynihan, whom many of you may remember from my previous posts on the situation in Haiti, came to see me Sunday at the Cathedral.

Deacon Moynihan is running a wonderful school for poor children in Haiti. He came up for a confirmation with his family and he wanted to give me a report and some things he would like me to share with the bishops’ conference because I am on the board working with CRS for relief in Haiti.

- – -

Later on Sunday, I traveled to Miami to concelebrate at a funeral Mass for Father Amando Llorente.

You may remember him from a recent blog post because I went to visit him while I was on my way to Haiti.

Father Llorente would have been 92 this summer and he was still working full time giving retreats all over the country. There was always a waiting list for people to get in to his retreats.

His provincial said he gave more retreats in one year than most Jesuits give in a whole lifetime. He had a great gift for inspiring young people to become very active in the Church.

He was an old friend of mine from our days at the Agrupacion Catolica Universitaria. He was sort of its second founder.

He had been a teacher at Belen, which is the large Jesuit school in Havana, sort of the B.C. High of Havana. Fidel Castro was one of his students there.

When the Communist Revolution took place, he was expelled from Cuba. He came to Miami and immediately set out driving around the country to contact the members of the Agrupacion from Cuba to reassemble them.

Many of them, of course, had been professionals there and had come to this country, where they often did manual jobs while trying to get their professional credentials revalidated. He would drive from one city to another and in that city he would have to raise enough money to pay for gas to go to the next town.

He completely rebuilt the Agrupacion Catolica, for which I am so grateful. When I was a seminarian, I began to frequent their meetings, and then I was their chaplain for all the years I was in Washington. Their members worked as volunteers at the Centro Catolico. The agrupados, together with their wives and children were the doctors, the dentists, the teachers, the accountants who gave of their time.

In the 75 years of the Agrupacion, they have had 50 vocations. This is really the ministry of Father Llorente, who was such an eloquent teacher of Ignatian spirituality and the Gospel life.

His death is a terrible loss, but at the same time, we are so grateful we had him for so long and that he had such extraordinary health. He was working full steam up until the very end.

The funeral was incredible. Archbishop John Favalora of Miami was there as well as four bishops, including one who came from Cuba. Many, many priests were also there. There was standing room only in the church, which was very large, and people were still outside on the steps.

They had already had two days of wake at the Agrupacion with the Mass on Sunday. The funeral Mass was just an overwhelming tribute to such a great priest and such a great Jesuit.

- – -

On Wednesday, I met with Chris Godfrey from Athletes for Life in my office at the Cathedral.

Chris has helped us in the past with chastity education programs. He is the founder and president of Life Athletes, an organization of current and former professional athletes who help our young people understand how to live a virtuous life, realize the benefits of abstinence, and foster a respect for human life.

He played most of his professional career for the New York Giants, and was the starting right guard on the team that won Super Bowl XXI. That year, he earned All-Pro NFL Films honors, and was named All-NFC by the Associated Press and United Press International. He also played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.

After football, he graduated from law school at the University of Notre Dame. He did his undergraduate work at the University of Michigan.

- – -

That afternoon, I celebrated Mass with our jubilarian priests who are celebrating their 25^th anniversary of their ordinations, at the Pastoral Center.

Greeting the jubilarians before the Mass

Among the priests who were honored were our vicar general Father Rich Erikson and Father Jim Taggart, an Oblate father whom I had taught at the seminary many years ago. As I said in my homily, it certainly made me feel old celebrating his 25th anniversary!

Following the noon Mass and we had a luncheon in their honor in the formal dining room at the Pastoral Center.

- – -

That evening, I went to Our Lady of the Assumption in East Boston to institute seven lectors and one acolyte for the Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

I was very happy to see these men as they go through their formation to become diocesan priests.

Greeting Father Tony Medeiros, the rector of Redemptoris Mater

Those receiving the minor orders were members of several ordination classes as they are at different stages in their formation. Their formation time is longer than for those at St. John’s because they spend a couple of years doing missionary work before being ordained and also because some of them are taking undergraduate courses prior to the theology courses required for ordination.

During the rite of institution, lectors are presented with a Bible, representing their ministry of proclaiming the Word of God.

The acolyte is presented with a paten containing host, symbolizing his ministry of assisting at the altar.

The Mass was very well attended. There were a number of priests and many people who came from the parishes where the seminarians are doing pastoral work and where they participate in their Neocatechumenal communities. The pastor at Assumption, Father Oscar Martin, was very welcoming.

Afterwards there was a celebration in the parish hall.

- – -

Yesterday, we had a May crowning ceremony following the noontime Mass here at the Pastoral Center.

As you may know, May is the month of Mary our Blessed Mother.

- – -

And, speaking of mothers, I would like to wish all of you who are mothers a very happy and blessed Mothers’ Day. May God bless the work that you do in raising up the Christian family.

Please join me in praying for mothers everywhere.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

As I am sure many of you heard in the news, this week the state of Arizona passed a law that makes it a crime under state law to be an undocumented immigrant. Perhaps most disturbingly, the new law allows police to stop anyone they suspect of being undocumented and to demand they show proof of citizenship.

It is disturbing to see such anti-immigrant prejudice being stirred up again in the United States. It was not long ago when we Irish (and other European Catholics) were the objects of this same nativism and there was a negative attitude towards us, our Church, and our culture. We have always been an immigrant Church in the United States, and we must have a special regard for those who are coming to our shores. Certainly, the United States has a right and an obligation to control its borders but, at the same time, we also need just and reasonable immigration laws. The fact that there are millions of undocumented people in the United States is an issue it behooves us to resolve. These people are paying taxes, are part of our work force, and are part of our community. It would be impractical, and indeed impossible, to deport all these people. The only way that we can really heal the situation is by coming up with a path towards legality, but that must be part of a comprehensive immigration program that has reasonable quotas. Sometimes, our quotas do not represent what the work force really needs in the United States.

Having spent my whole life working with immigrants I can say that the Europeans would love to have our problem. The children of immigrants who come to this country — whether they come documented or undocumented — will be Americans, and they will identify with this country, defend it and be part of this body politic.

Unfortunately, the proposals of President Bush and the Kennedy-McCain Bill did not pass. I realize that today’s economic climate makes it more challenging to deal with the issue, but it needs to be dealt with at a national level and with great regard for the social justice questions involved. This issue cannot be solved through the hysterical response of local communities that will cause a great human suffering, discrimination against our own Hispanic citizens and legal residents, and deeper divisions within an already polarized community.

- – -

On Friday, I was in Atlanta for the annual Catholic University of America Cardinal’s Dinner, which raises funds for scholarships for the school.

It’s always a great encouragement to see the fine young Catholic men and women who are coming out of the university.

This year the gala was hosted by Atlanta Archbishop Wilton Gregory. The cardinals and the nuncio were there, as were many members of the Board of Trustees, of which I am a part.

There were a number of students from the Archdiocese of Boston there as well. I was happy to be with them.

One of the students came up and introduced himself to me. I immediately recognized him from his name – Bobby Kilner. He had sung the “Star Spangled Banner” at the dinner.

He is one of nine children, and his father was also one of nine children. His grandparents belonged to my Teams of Our Lady — a Christian family movement — when I was a young priest. His father was one of my students at Catholic University. It was a great joy to see this young man who has just graduated with a degree in philosophy and is very dedicated to his faith.

- – -

This past Friday and Saturday, we had our annual Eucharistic Congress here in Boston at Sacred Heart Church in the North End.

Father Benedict Groeschel was here this year, which was a great honor and a thrill for us. Father, despite his health problems, is still young at heart and loves to have the opportunity to speak to young people. It was a great grace to have him in our midst.

I was the main celebrant and homilist at the Mass on Saturday, and then I joined our young people for dinner and participated in Eucharistic adoration and the procession through the streets of the North End that followed.

The wonderful response of young people who participated in the conferences, service projects, Mass, and procession show the great devotion to the Church and to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament that is drawing these young people to this level of participation in the life of our local Church.

- – -

On Sunday, I visited St. Jerome Parish in Weymouth, where I celebrated a Mass and saw renovations they had recently made to the parish school.

I was struck by the work they have done on the school, particularly the SmartBoards they have put together so the students can incorporate even more technology into their learning.

Father Robert Blaney is doing an extraordinary job there, and his mother and some of his family joined us Sunday. It was nice to meet them and the other parish leaders.

- – -

From there, I went to a surprise party for Msgr. George Carlson, pastor of Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury.

He was roasted by his fellow priests, family members and parishioners. He took all the kidding with good sportsmanship.

It was his 70^th birthday.  They gave him, at one point, a dunce cap to wear and these glasses that had a big 70 on them.

- – -

Monday evening, I had a Cursillo Mass at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham.

We had about 1,200 people there for the Mass. It was an opportunity for me to thank them and talk to them about evangelization, and the important role Cursillo has had in my own life and the life of the Church. I also encouraged them to be faithful to their “fourth day.” For those unfamiliar with the term, the “fourth day” makes reference to the Christian call to live faithfully every day as they learn to live the faith during the three days Cursillo retreat.

As usual, the singing was just overwhelming. Someone said to me after the Mass, “What if the singing at our Sunday Masses was like it was here tonight?”

- – -

The following day, I had Confirmations at St. Joseph Parish in Malden.

Father John Mulloy is the parochial vicar there, but he is also the Episcopal Vicar for the region.

The pastor, Father Bill Milligan, said that in the house he’s the boss, and when Father John goes out, Father John is the boss!

They had a lovely Confirmation class. Father Bill, who has been there for many years, said that when he came, these children were in second grade. Now they are all taller than he is!

- – -

On Wednesday morning at our Pastoral Center, I attended the gathering of the pastoral associates from our parishes.

Sister Patricia Boyle has been functioning as our liaison together with Father David Couturier ever since Sister Dorothea retired.

We had a very lovely prayer service and listened to testimony about the wonderful work that is being done.

I said a few words to them towards the end of the gathering

- – -

On Wednesday evening I visited St. Augustine Parish in Andover to participate in their 5^th annual Vocations Awareness Week. The parish Vocations Committee, under the guidance of  Father Peter Gori and Father Joseph Narog, and assisted by the young adults of the Augustinian Volunteers, has had great success in raising awareness about the reality that vocations are everyone’s business. The committee helps young people to understand that priesthood, religious life, marriage, parenthood and single life are all vocations in the context of our faith.

With the parish Vocation Committee

With Father Richard, Brother John DelCasale, Father Peter Gori and Father Joseph Narog

With Augustinian Volunteers Charles Knibbs, Erika Esposito and Andrew Slike

The parish turned out in great numbers for this event. The church was filled as together we prayed the Augustinian Corona and offered a reflection on my own experience of being called to religious life and priesthood. The Corona (which means “crown”) is an Augustinian devotion, consisting of 13 Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory Be’s, that prayerfully meditates on the Apostles’ Creed and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, under the title of Our Mother of Consolation. The friars presented me with my own corona before the prayer service. I noted that it had far fewer beads than the Franciscan rosary we wear with our habit and wondered if they were getting a shortcut on their prayers!

For over three years the Corona has been prayed at St. Augustine Parish each First Friday for the specific intention of an increase in vocations.  I am very grateful to Father Gori, all the friars, and the entire parish community for their dedication and commitment to this important work on behalf of the Church.

- – -

We are pleased to announce that Father J. Bryan Hehir, Cabinet Secretary for Social Services and Health Care, has been invited to participate in a symposium hosted by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace at the Vatican this coming October. The topic for the symposium is “Caritas in veritate and the United States” and is the result of a joint collaboration with the Pontifical Council and the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is a ministry of the Holy See dedicated to promoting justice, peace and human rights throughout the world. Pope Benedict XVI, in his latest encyclical, Caritas in veritate, speaks to the issues of “integral human development” and what justice means in today’s global economy.

Father Hehir is an international expert in the area of ethics and foreign policy and the role of religion across the global landscape and in American society. His work has encompassed a broad range of challenges that he has met with distinction, including taking leadership of Catholic Charities USA two days prior to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He very carefully and capably guided that agency through some of our nation’s most difficult hours, ensuring that Charities’ essential services continued to be provided during the crisis. He also served on the staff of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, addressing issues of both foreign and domestic policy for the Church in the United States.

I am very grateful to Father Hehir for his continued service to the Archdiocese of Boston as priest, cabinet secretary, strategic advisor and professor and for his long standing commitment to pastoral ministry in the prisons, our parishes and with Pro-Life ministries.

Having known Father Hehir for more than 20 years, he was one of the first people I asked to join me when Pope John Paul II appointed me Archbishop of Boston. He has brought a vast understanding of the important place our Church has in society and inspires us with his compassion, vision and fidelity to the work of the Church. His voice brings clarity to our message and mission in serving the Catholic community here in Boston.

We are pleased and honored that Father Hehir has been invited to participate at the Pontifical Council symposium and are confident he will provide many helpful and important contributions to the proceedings.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

This past Thursday morning, I had a Mass at BC High where we presented the Ignatius Awards to three deserving recipients:

John Mahoney

Francis Furey

Norman Swain

All of them gave very moving witness talks in which they underlined their commitment to the faith and the values that had been nurtured at BC High.

It was a very valuable thing for the young students to hear from these dedicated Catholic laymen who had received such good formation at BC High.

- – -

Later that evening, I attended a dinner for the Jesuits in our area. Each year, they have a banquet to raise funds for the New England Province of Jesuits, particularly to support their retired priests and formation program.

I was happy to be a part of it and to be there with their new provincial, Father Myles Sheehan. I was asked to present him at the banquet. He is a very accomplished physician — a gerontologist. I told him I particularly admired his courage for going on CatholicTV’s “Going MyWay” with Father Chris Hickey, who had him playing the guitar.

At the dinner, they presented the Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award to Dick and Ann Marie Connolly. This award is given annually at this dinner to recognize those who generously help others.

The Connollys with Father Sheehan

You may know that Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, Latin for “for the greater glory of God”, is the Jesuit motto.

Dick is a very successful financial broker with Morgan Stanley, having been nationally and regionally recognized. He helps organize a golf outing to benefit the Francis Ouimet Caddie Scholarship. Ann Marie enjoyed a marvelous career with an educational consulting firm, serves as a trustee at several non-profit organizations, including Colby College, the Lahey Clinic, and is the incoming chair of Hestia, a women’s group which funds after-school programs. They also support numerous organizations in the region including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, College of the Holy Cross, and WPI. They are parishioners of Holy Family in Concord where Ann Marie serves on the pastoral council.

The evening was a very successful. There were about 1,200 people there — a sign of the great affection people have for the Jesuits who historically have been such an important part of the Archdiocese. In fact, our second bishop, Bishop Fenwick, was a Jesuit.

Still today the order has a very large presence here, numbering about 300.

- – -

On Friday morning, I gave the keynote address at the third annual Co-Workers in the Vineyard Conference at the Campion Renewal Center in Weston.

This conference brings together parish staff members — both ordained and lay — from around the archdiocese for a day of reflection about ministry in the Church today.

Dr. Aldonna Lingertat, director of the MAM program

This year there were so many people they had to turn people away from it. It was a very successful conference.

I gave a talk on lay ministry and evangelization. You can listen to my remarks here:

The conference was organized by the Master of Arts in Ministry program at St. John’s Seminary and our Office for Clergy Support and Ongoing Formation, and co-sponsored by other archdiocesan offices. Everybody involved did a wonderful job of running it.

I am also thankful to the support from Our Sunday Visitor, which helped fund the conference.

Following my talk, I recognized Lynn Kenn for all her work witnessing to the pro-life cause.  Twenty-five years ago she founded the Parish Baby Shower Program in our Archdiocese to help women in crisis pregnancies.

You can hear my remarks and some comments by Lynn here:

We presented her with a hand-painted plate that showed Lynn with her husband, children and me, all together under Our Lady and angels.

I am so grateful to Lynn and all those who have contributed gifts to this very important effort. It was wonderful that so many of her children and grandchildren could be there for the presentation.

With Lynn, Russ and their family

- – -

On Saturday, we had our annual Boston Catholic Men’s Conference. This year, we were blessed to host it at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

I was the main celebrant and homilist for the Mass that afternoon. You can hear my homily here:

We had over 1,500 men from the Archdiocese of Boston and nearby dioceses who gathered for prayer and reflection. The talks were given by the hosts of EWTN’s “Crossing the Goal.” They were very inspiring.

They talked about the challenges and the importance of being Christian disciples in today’s world.

Brian Patrick

Curtis Martin

Peter Herbeck

Danny Abramowicz

In the afternoon, Father Paul O’Brien spoke to the men in the afternoon and shared his story of building the Cor Unum Meal Center at his parish, St. Patrick’s in Lawrence.

Scot Landry

We are so grateful to Scot Landry, his team, all the parish captains, the speakers, and the many volunteers that came to facilitate everything.

- – -

On Sunday, I returned to Haiti, where I saw the progress of the ongoing earthquake relief efforts.

I went back principally to visit the hospital run by the Order of Malta in the town of Milot. During my first trip I did not have time to get to the hospital there, so I promised them that I would return.

The hospital is called Hopital Sacre Coeur, or Sacred Heart Hospital. I would guess that it is currently the best hospital in Haiti. A committee of the Order of Malta runs it, and the hospital is staffed largely with volunteer doctors and nurses from the U.S., though it is administered by resident Haitian doctors. Also, a community of Irish sisters has recently come down to work in the town there.

In the helicopter with the Nuncio and his assistant

We flew to Port-au-Prince and then took a helicopter to Milot. When we arrived we were met by schoolchildren, and they sang for us. A little girl in a wheelchair had a bouquet of flowers for me. It was the first time a cardinal had ever visited there so they wanted to make it special.

The hospital is an amazing institution by the standards of Haiti. It has all kinds of wonderful equipment, much of it donated through the Ascension Health Care System.

Our Catholic hospitals of Boston — the Caritas Christi system — has been supporting that hospital. They sent down several very special medical tents.

Each of the tents carries the name of one of our hospitals in Boston. This one is the Carney Hospital tent

The St. E’s tent

It cost about $250,000 to put them up. The tents have generators, special flooring, electrical systems and lighting. That allowed for an expansion of the hospital from an 80-bed facility to servicing, at one point, up to 500 patients.

Inside one of the tents

With Peter Kelly – head of the Hospital

We had 75 doctors and nurses from the Caritas Christi hospitals volunteer to serve in Haiti following the earthquake. We were there with Dr. Mark Pearlmutter, who is head of emergency medicine at Caritas Christi, and Michelle Fey, the head of nursing at Caritas.

From left, Peter Kelly, Dr. Mark Perlmutter, Michelle Fey – head of nursing services for Caritas , Jim O’Connor from the Order of Malta, Dr. Roger Jean Charles and Scott Campbell from CRS.

It was very encouraging to see how much has been accomplished.

The late Tom Flatley built them a beautiful hospital lab years ago. His sister, who was a chemistry teacher, came and oversaw its set up.

Tom asked that the lab be dedicated to Mother Teresa

The hospital has also installed a water purification plant that runs on solar power. That is so important because potable water is such a luxury in Haiti.

The water purification plant. Right beside it they are building a small factory to make prosthetic limbs for the amputees.

Many children have had limbs amputated. Losing a limb is always a difficult but, for children, it is more complicated because over the period of their growth they will need several new limbs.

There were some babies with tuberculosis of the spine. One little baby was found in the rubble four or five days after the earthquake buried under dead bodies, including those of her parents.

As you can see, she’s doing fine

This hospital, because it is out in the countryside, was not at all affected by the earthquake, so it became the major trauma center after the earthquake. The U.S. military and the U.N. would bring several patients a day by helicopter for surgery and medical care at this wonderful hospital.

In the following video,  published back in February, Dr.  Perlmutter described in a very moving way the efforts our physicians performed in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The area we were visiting is part of the Archdiocese of Cap-Haïtien. After we visited the patients, we had an outdoor Mass for the patients and the staff. Archbishop Louis Kébreau, who is a salesian, concelebrated.

From the left, Archbishop Louis Kébreau and the Nuncio, Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza

Some of the town’s people also came to the Mass. I celebrated the Mass in Creole. The youngsters were all fascinated that this old white man spoke Creole!

It was a beautiful celebration. There was lovely singing. Haitians, of course, have such a beautiful sense of celebration.

After visiting the hospital, the archbishop invited us to visit the ruins of the Sans-Souci Palace, which is the palace of King Henri Christophe, who, after the Haitian revolution 200 years ago ruled the Northern Kingdom. The southern part of the country became a republic. He built this beautiful Versailles-like palace there in the town of Milot, which was the capital of the Northern Kingdom.

Walking up the hill towards the palace

The ruins of the King Henri Christophe Sans-Souci Palace.
This is a statue of his wife

The palace was destroyed in 1842, during another earthquake that devastated the region and was never rebuilt.

The only part of the palace that is still intact from that time is the chapel, which is used as the parish church. It has an extraordinary dome.

When we came down the mountain we were greeted by a band. The children had very spiffy uniforms, but very old instruments. They played the national anthem and then another song, which was a greeting song.

The children of the parish gave us a presentation on their pro-life and chastity courses they have at the parish. I was impressed by it.

They also gave me a beautiful painting showing the parish and what the palace looked like originally. It was done in the typical Haitian “primitivisme” style.

It was a very interesting visit and I was impressed by the works that our people are doing. You can look at more photos here and watch a video that summarizes the day:

We returned to Port-au-Prince in the evening and we had dinner at the Nunciature with a number of the officials from the UN, the Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo and other NGOs. The nuncio was good enough to bring these people together so we could hear from them their hopes, objectives and concerns. What an excellent job the nuncio is doing!

Also, we had time to spend with the administrator of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Lafontant.

Msgr. Lafontant showing us a photo of the Cathedral before the earthquake

In Port-au-Prince the next day, we visited the Catholic hospital that is being administered by Catholic Relief Services. It’s basically in tents, but it’s on the site of the oldest hospital in Port-au-Prince, Hospital St. Francois de Sales.

This is what is left of the St. Francois de Sales Hospital

The group of surgeons we met there are from Bon Secours Hospital in Baltimore. When we met the doctors, some were wearing lamps on their foreheads, like miners, because they kept losing electricity and would have to do operations by flashlight.

Talking with the doctors

A closer look at a doctor with a flashlight they use to perform surgery
by flashlight

On that visit we were accompanied by Deacon Patrick Moynihan and his wife. As you may remember from my post on my first visit they are running a very successful school for poor children there

The recovery after the earthquake is very, very slow. About 1.5 million people are still in tent cities. You don’t see heavy equipment moving the rubble. There has been a lot of planning going on up until now but you don’t see dramatic improvements.

An aerial view of Port-au-Prince from our helicopter. You can see a tent-city and collapsed houses

Right now, the priority is to get permanent housing for the people. That has its challenges, but they’re beginning to initiate projects of bringing in prefabricated housing.

After that, they’ll try to deal with the situation of the schools. Presently, very few children are able to attend school.

Also, the nuncio is anxious to begin to rebuild some of the churches, if nothing else, to be a sign of hope to the people and that things will return to some normalcy. Our bishops’ conference has had conversations with Catholic relief organizations in Europe to try and coordinate what specific projects each will be responsible for. Of course, Catholic relief organizations are still the lead organizations as far as relief efforts. They have done an extraordinary job there.

Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti, and for all who are administering relief efforts.

- – -

Yesterday, I was very happy to be visited by Pablo Eduardo, a local sculptor who has produced some very significant art for the Boston area.

I have known him since he was a child because his father worked for me in Washington as editor of the Spanish-language archdiocesan newspaper, El Pregonero.

I was pleasantly surprised when I came to Boston to discover that Pablo was here with his family and has a studio in Gloucester. He has done beautiful works including a statue of Boston Mayor Kevin White commissioned by the city.

He also has created a statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola at Boston College.

Pablo is now finishing his work on a statue of St. Thomas More for the BC Law School.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

Last Thursday evening, I had the privilege of going to Regis College to join president Dr. Mary Jane England for the Presidential Scholars Awards ceremony. 

At Dr. England’s initiative, with the support of the board of trustees, Regis College each year provides a series of four year scholarships to young men and women who are graduates of Catholic secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Boston. 

With Dr. Robert Sperber, Mary Grassa O’Neill, Mary Jane England, Father Paul Kilroy

It was very encouraging to hear of the accomplishments of the students who were awarded scholarships; their academic achievement, extracurricular activities and community service are exemplary.  

One of the things we have tried to stress is the continuity of Catholic education: from primary school, to secondary school to Catholic colleges. The Catholic colleges have also been helping us with teacher training and board development in our primary schools. Certainly, helping Catholic students who graduate from our high schools attend Catholic colleges is a great service to the Church.

We are grateful to Regis and Dr. England for this gift in support of Catholic education and look forward to working together in developing the future leaders for our society and the Church.

- – -

On Friday afternoon, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas visited me.

The CDA is one the oldest and largest group of Catholic Women in the Americas. They do such wonderful work supporting the mission of the Church through charitable work and being involved in their parishes and the archdiocese.

During this particular visit, they updated me on their latest efforts to support the pro-life cause, the work they are doing in conjunction with the women religious to prevent human trafficking, their project to help children with cleft palates and their success in starting a court at Stonehill College.

State Regent Linda Coletti

The Catholic Daughters also presented me with a significant donation to support our pro-life ministry. We were very grateful for that.

- – -

That evening, I had confirmations at St. Pius V Parish in Lynn.

It was a very large confirmation of over 70 young people.

At this time of year, I am doing many confirmations. It is a wonderful opportunity to speak to young people and to be present to them and share this moment of joy with their families and their communities.

- – -

Saturday morning, I was visited by a large group of about 50 seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of the Archdiocese of Newark.

They were traveling through the Boston area and, during their time here, they spent some time evangelizing in the neighborhood. They asked me to address them and join in midday prayer with them. I spoke to them about evangelization and the risen Christ, gave them a blessing and sent them forth.

I had conducted the visitation of that seminary many years ago. The spiritual director of the seminary, Father Roberto Santamaria, was a deacon back then and he remembered my visit with them.

Father Roberto introducing some of the seminarians for me

- – -

That afternoon, I visited with the group of about 60 pilgrims from St. Anthony Parish in Cambridge who will accompany me to Fatima in May.

This group was organized by Father Walter Carreiro, the pastor at St. Anthony’s. He will be going to the Santo Cristo Feast in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel in the Azores and then joining us in Fatima for the Holy Father’s Mass there on the Feast of Our Lady of Fatima, May 13.

- – -

I also went to St. Maria Goretti Parish in Lynnfield that afternoon for the celebration of the parish’s 50^th Anniversary Mass.

Many of the former pastors returned for the Mass, including Father Michael Lawlor. I was teasing him because they planted a tree in his honor. I’m very jealous because I am still waiting for them to give me the Cardinal Seán O’Malley memorial speedbump!

- – -

On Saturday evening, I attended a gala fundraising dinner at the Boston Public Library for the Catholic Schools Foundation and the Inner City Scholarship Fund. It was the first time it was held in that venue and it was just spectacular.

Peter and Carolyn Lynch

The dinner honored Peter Lynch for 20 years of outstanding dedication and service. Peter has chaired the foundation for 20 years and, under his leadership, it has raised $100,000,000 and has given scholarships to more than 60,000 students at our inner-city Catholic schools.

It’s just an incredible contribution that has strengthened Catholic education in the archdiocese and given the opportunity to many underprivileged children to get a good education — which means a good start in life — and, therefore, to be able to go on to higher education.

This cause has been a passion of Peter Lynch and his wife, Carolyn. They have a great love for the Church, for Catholic education and a great concern that children receive the opportunity for this kind of formation.

Bob Kraft and his wife Myra chaired the dinner this year and I thank them and all the dinner co-chairs for their important support in helping children get the quality education our Catholic schools offer.

With the Krafts and the Lynches

- – -

I ended the evening at another event for the Little Sisters of the Poor at the Four Seasons Hotel.

The sisters follow the charism of their foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan (who was canonized last year) in caring for the elderly poor.

They depend very much on divine providence, and are often out begging for food and supplies to continue their work. They have this annual gala fundraiser to help support the wonderful work of their home in Somerville.

- – -

On Sunday I travelled to Washington and was the main celebrant and homilist at the Divine Mercy Sunday Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

The shrine was packed with pilgrims. It began at 2 p.m. with the Divine Mercy chaplet.

On Monday, I had two meetings — one at Catholic University of America and the other with at Capuchin College with the Catholic Leadership Institute.

As a Catholic University board member, I participated in an accreditation meeting there. The head of the accreditation team was Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, president of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. They wanted to interview the board about our participation in the governance of the university.

We’re also in the process of looking for a new president to replace Father David O’Connell, who has done such an extraordinary job over the last 12 years.

That same day, I had meetings with Tim Flanagan, Ambassador Jim Nicholson and Dan Cellucci of the Catholic Leadership Institute.

The Catholic Leadership Institute is the group that organized Good Leaders, Good Shepherds, a program a number of our priests have participated in.

This program has provided important leadership training for our priests and now they are initiating a program for lay leadership in the Church.

- – -

On Wednesday, I gave the keynote address for annual luncheon of the sodalities of the parishes of West Roxbury.

It was held at the Charles River Country Club and, in all, about 185 women attended.

We went there with Msgr. George Carlson and Father Marty Dzengeleski, the chaplains for the West Roxbury Sodality. The members come from all the parishes of West Roxbury, but they meet at Holy Name.

- – -

In the evening, I had confirmations at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Cambridge, which was combined with Sacred Heart and St. Francis Parish.

It’s a very beautiful Church, particularly the altar which has a large, wood carved triptych that they close during Lent. It’s a beautiful wood carving.

- – -

Finally, Monday is a holiday here in Massachusetts: Patriot’s Day, marked most famously by the running of the Boston Marathon.

I wish good luck to all those who are running and a safe and restful holiday to those who are not!

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

This week, we received word that the Holy Father has named Archbishop Jose Gomez, of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, Texas to be the Coadjutor Archbishop of Los Angeles, the largest diocese in the United States with over 4 million Catholics, 70 percent of whom are Hispanic — mostly Mexicans.

Archbishop Gomez

Archbishop Gomez himself is a Mexican from Monterrey. Like so many Mexicans, he has family on both sides of the Rio Grande.

It is wonderful news that the Holy Father has chosen a Mexican-American for that post. I know it will be a great source of blessings for the Church. Archbishop Gomez is a man of great pastoral experience. He has many talents and gifts that will be put to good stead.

It is my privilege to serve with him on the bishops’ Latin American committee and on the subcommittee for Haiti.

I first met him when he was the president of the National Association of Hispanic Priests in the U.S. I think it is quite telling that priests from all over the country recognized him for his talent, ability, and dedication to immigrants.

He was also instrumental in establishing the Seminary of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City for Hispanic seminarians from the U.S. and Canada. I visited that seminary last year and was quite impressed with it.

Last June I visited his archdiocese while giving a retreat and I was also able to address a group of Latino professionals he started called CALL, The Catholic Association of Latino Leaders.

With Archbishop Gomez and the group from CALL last year

During my visit, I had an opportunity to tour the San Fernando Cathedral there. At that time, Archbishop Gomez told me that his grandparents, in fact, had been married in the cathedral in San Antonio. Eventually, they returned to Mexico, though other members of his family remained in the United States.

- – -

Last week, of course, we celebrated the Triduum, the three days starting with Holy Thursday and ending at the Easter Vigil.

On Holy Thursday, I presided at the Mass of the Last Supper at the Cathedral.

Bishop Hennessey was the homilist

This year I washed the feet of 12 of our priests as a way to mark the Year for Priests and following the example of the Holy Father.

Following the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament is placed in repose in the chapel, and there is a time of adoration.

Many students came from Boston University and Northeastern and stayed until Midnight praying and singing.

The chapel was filled, it was standing room only. The Brothers of Hope and Sister Olga were also there with us.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus had asked the Apostles to watch and pray, so the BU students observed the ancient custom of going to visit seven churches. This has become an annual tradition for them and they always end at the Cathedral for the last hour.

It was a very beautiful way for us to end the Feast of Holy Thursday, the feast of the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood.

- – -

On Good Friday several groups in the archdiocese pray the Way of the Cross walking the streets of Boston. Two of those groups ended their stations at the cathedral, where I welcomed them and prayed with them.

First was a group prays a Way of the Cross focused on the defense of life. It is organized by Colby Mazzarella. I prayed the last two stations with them.

Later in the afternoon came the group from Communion and Liberation, which also leads a Way of the Cross through downtown Boston and the Common. They came for their final station and I gave them a talk.

Then, we had the Good Friday service at 3:00 at the cathedral with the singing of the Passion. Father Bill Kelly gave us a reflection on the Passion.

Father Kelly

That evening, I had the Good Friday liturgy in Spanish, and afterwards the Stations of the Cross through the streets.

On Saturday evening, we had the Easter Vigil at the Cathedral.

We received three people into the Church. It was very well-attended. It was a beautiful celebration.

This year, the Julian and the Gregorian calendars coincide for the celebration of Easter, which means that the Orthodox had their Easter the same day we did. So, following the Vigil at the cathedral, I went to their cathedral for their Midnight Service. Metropolitan Methodios invited me to read an Easter Gospel and to address the Greek Orthodox community.

They gave me an Easter basket with many red Easter eggs in it, which is the Greek custom.

From there, I went back to the cathedral for the ending of the Ethiopian Geez-rite Easter celebration. They meet regularly at the cathedral. They re Catholic but they follow the Eastern calendar.

Then, the next morning, I had the television Mass at 7:00 on Channel 7. That Mass is seen all over New England. Members of the Order of Alhambra participated with me at this Mass.

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Later in the morning, I had Mass with some members of my family. My nephew Ted’s second son, little Grant, received his First Communion.

Also with us were friends of my nephew. Their daughter also received First Communion and I baptized their baby.

Then, I went to lunch with my family.

In the afternoon, I went to vespers and dinner with the Capuchins in Boston.

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Yesterday, I hosted a meeting with major superiors of men’s religious communities in our archdiocese at the Pastoral Center.

We began with a Mass in the chapel and then we gathered for a light lunch.

It was an opportunity to give them an update on what is happening in the diocese, and also for them to tell me and share with each other their ministry plans and other things of recent importance in their various religious communities.

I am very grateful to Sister Marion Batho, our Delegate for Religious, who did such a wonder job putting the day together.

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Finally, I am very pleased that the Knights of Columbus are sponsoring a Novena for the intentions of our Holy Father. I encourage you all to join in praying this novena and spread the word to your friends, families and parishes.

PRAYER FOR POPE BENEDICT XVI

Lord, source of eternal life and truth,
give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit
of courage and right judgment, a spirit
of knowledge and love. By governing
with fidelity those entrusted to his care,
may he, as successor to the Apostle
Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your
Church into a sacrament of unity, love
and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.

R/ May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life,
make him blessed upon the earth,
and not hand him over
to the power of his enemies.

V/ May your hand
be upon your holy servant.

R/ And upon your son,
whom you have anointed.

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. May the peace and joy of our Risen Lord be with you now and always.

Cardinal Seán

Since being named Bishop of Fall River in 1992 and subsequently as Bishop of Palm Beach and Archbishop of Boston, I have had the painful but privileged opportunity to meet with hundreds of survivors of clergy sexual abuse and their loved ones. During the course of Pope Benedict’s visit to the United States in 2008, at a meeting with survivors from the Archdiocese of Boston, I presented the Holy Father a book inscribed with the first names of 1500 children who had been sexually abused by clergy and shared that the names marked with a gold cross were children who had died under tragic circumstances. The Holy Father was visibly moved as he read the names.

There is much confusion and misinformation about the Holy Father’s historic role in dealing with the problem of sexual abuse of children by clergy. What is very clear to me — and I think to all who are fair-minded — is that Cardinal Ratzinger and later Pope Benedict has been dedicated to eradicating sexual abuse in the Church and trying to rectify the mistakes of the past. Until the sexual abuse crisis really became part of the consciousness of the Church in Europe, there were many who were unsympathetic to our efforts in the U.S. to deal with the problem in a transparent way and assure that our Catholic schools, parishes and agencies would be safe for children.

During this period of at least a decade, the strongest ally we had in this effort was Cardinal Ratzinger. As head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he allowed us to move forward with the Essential Norms which became local Church law in the U.S. and facilitated the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The Norms allowed for mandated reporting to civil authorities and embraced a zero-tolerance policy for abusers. In addition, the Charter called for abuse prevention training that has been attended by literally millions of Catholics. It also requires yearly public audits to ensure that dioceses are in compliance with these requirements.

During this Holy Season I urge all of our Catholics to pray for the survivors and all who have been impacted by the tragedy of the sexual abuse of minors by clergy. I also hold in my prayers and ask us all to pray for those persons for whom this crisis has been an obstacle to the continued practice of their faith. Let us pray, too, for our Holy Father, that God will grant him the light and wisdom he needs to guide the Church. And during this Year for Priests, let us pray for our priests, who labor quietly everyday doing the good works of the Lord.

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Last Friday, I went to St. Michael’s in North Andover for the tenth in our series of vicariate dinners with the priests. It is a way that we’re celebrating the Year for Priests and an opportunity for me to get together with the priests in an informal setting.

St. Michael’s is an extraordinary parish. The team ministry there of Fathers John Delaney, Paul Keyes and Jerry Hogan is doing a fantastic job.

They invited me to see the Stations of the Cross that the young people were putting on. It was a beautifully artistic presentation using screens and lights so that people would see the silhouettes of the different scenes of the 14 stations.

They do this every Friday during Lent, and different classes from the school participate. The church was full of people. It was a very beautiful and moving experience.

Father Jerry is the chaplain for the circus and his office is full of photos and circus paraphernalia.

I really got a kick of the photo of him presenting a sequined top hat to Pope John Paul II.

A photo of the hat presented to the pope

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On Saturday, members of the Brazilian Apostolate media team in the archdiocese came for a visit.

With the Brazilian Apostolate Media team, Hercules Werneck, Sebastião Alcântra and Ricardo Garcia

They asked me to tape this Easter greeting that will be posted on their web site and also an invitation to the Brazilian community to join us again this year for a celebration of Confirmations at the Cathedral.

It was a fascinating to learn about how these lay volunteers are using the Internet to evangelize in such an effective way. I was impressed to learn that their site is popular, not just here in Massachusetts, but also in Brazil!

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That afternoon, I had confirmations for our college and university students at the Cathedral.

Each year, we gather in the Cathedral with university students from the various campus ministries who, during the course of the year, have been preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation. It’s always an extraordinary moment.

This year we had 40 students from several schools including Bentley, Boston University, Bridgewater State, Emmanuel College, Harvard, MIT, UMass-Boston, UMass-Lowell, Salem State, Northeastern and Wellesley.

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I celebrated Palm Sunday at St. Paul Parish in Cambridge.  We began with the Blessing of the Palms and procession followed by a very beautiful Mass.

Of course, the music was wonderful.

Father Michael Drea is doing a wonderful job there

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Later that day, I was invited by the Franciscan friars at St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street for vespers and dinner.

They were very pleased to show me the renovations to their friary chapel, including this beautiful San Damiano cross and painting of the Holy Family by artist Gordon Daugherty.

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Monday, I celebrated an Incardination Mass for Father Christopher Gomes.

Father Gomes, after a period of discernment, has been incardinated into the archdiocese. We had a very nice Mass at the rectory chapel.

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On Tuesday, I celebrated the annual Chrism Mass at the Cathedral.

The Chrism Mass is a very important sign of unity in the Church where we bless the sacred oils that will be used for the sacraments in the coming year.

It is also a day to gather together with our brother priests and bishops for a day a fraternity.

During my opening remarks I spoke about the important sign of the Chrism Mass and asked our guest, Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Methodios, to say a few words.

I was also happy to announce that, earlier in the week, we had hung a galero in the cathedral in memory of Cardinal Humberto Medeiros. The galero is the “red hat” with tassels cardinals received years ago from the Holy Father. Tradition says that when the galero falls from the ceiling, the cardinal has entered into heaven.

You can hear my comments and the comments of Metropolitan Methodios here:

In my homily I spoke about the challenges facing the Church today and the need for holy priests.

And then, of course, there was the blessing of the Oil of the Sick, the Oil of Catechumens and the Chrism Oil, from which the Mass draws its name.

Following Mass, as we always do, we continued the day of fraternity by sharing a lunch together.

During the Mass we had an excellent talk by Father John Connelly of Sacred Heart in Newton.

With Father Connelly

Father Bill Kelly, who after many years is moving on from his assignment as director of Clergy Support and Ongoing Formation, did a wonderful job organizing the day and luncheon. We wish Father Bill well in his new assignment as pastor of St. Mary in Dedham.

Father Kelly

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As you know, every Wednesday during Lent this year, confession was available in every church across the archdiocese as part of our “The Light is on For You” initiative. This past Wednesday at the Cathedral, I was one of three priests hearing confessions.

That was followed by our celebration of Tenebrae, which is celebrated at the Cathedral on Spy Wednesday. The celebration consists of readings telling the story of Jesus’ betrayal and death. With each reading, a candle on a large candelabra, called a hearse, is extinguished. The service ends in total darkness.

In fact, the office is for Holy Thursday and it is something of an initiation into the Sacred Triduum, the three holiest days of the year in which we commemorate the Paschal Mystery — the Last Supper, Crucifixion and Death of our Lord, and his glorious Resurrection on Easter day.

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Finally, remember that all the collections taken up at parishes this Easter to go benefit our retired priests.

I invite you to watch this video highlighting the importance of this effort and please be generous to those who have been so generous in giving their lives in the service of God’s people.

I wish you a blessed Triduum and Easter!

Cardinal Seán

Hello again,

This has certainly been a week of significant events in our archdiocese, the nation and the wider Church.

As many of you may already know, earlier this week Caritas Christi Health Care announced an agreement to be acquired by Cerberus Capital Management, a private investment firm. An important part of the transaction will be the agreement that ensures the Catholic identity of the Caritas hospitals. I look forward to reviewing that agreement before giving approval for the transaction and requesting the Holy See’s approval, which is also needed.

For a long time, Caritas Christi has been experiencing serious financial challenges, health care has become a very expensive and competitive business. For that reason, I invited Navigant Consulting, who have particular expertise with hospitals and health care, to come in and help us.

One of Navigant’s suggestions was that we find a nationwide Catholic health care system to sponsor Caritas Christi. Though we tried that approach, unfortunately, we were unable to reach a mutually acceptable arrangement.

The next best option was to enter into negotiations about the possibility of a transaction with a for-profit company, with the goal of attracting investors who would be able to provide the funding that Caritas needs.

One of the significant challenges for Caritas at this time is the pension fund that incurred significant losses with the decline of the stock market. It has been a great concern for me that the employees not lose their pensions. At the same time we also wanted to modernize our hospitals, in order that they provide the best possible care for our patients. By way of an agreement with Cerberus, we will accomplish these goals and maintain the Catholic identity of our hospitals, fulfilling the mission of serving the poor and those in need while respecting Catholic medical ethics and the Gospel of Life.

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Also last week the Holy Father issued his letter to the Church in Ireland, which is suffering greatly with allegations of abuse of minors by clergy.

Though the Holy Father had announced he was going to send such a letter, I had no idea it was going to be such a lengthy document. I was very moved by it and I think that the Holy Father tried to touch on all the points and the concerns that people have.

I realize that some people have criticized the letter, but I think it was an important step in moving Ireland towards healing. As I read the letter, I couldn’t help but think that I wish we had a similar letter years ago, when this crisis began in the United States.

In it, the Holy Father talks about the need of the Church to purge itself of this problem, care for victims and make the Church a safe place for children. He calls on people to accomplish this through spiritual renewal. He has announced a visitation of the dioceses where the problems have been the greatest and calls for a national mission. He also invites the Irish to avail themselves of the sacraments and their faith to overcome and face this problem squarely and to bring about the healing that everyone wants for the Church in Ireland.

I encourage you all to read the letter in its entirety, but I would like to share with you here the portion of the letter addressing the victims of abuse and their families:

You have suffered grievously and I am truly sorry. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity has been violated. Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. At the same time, I ask you not to lose hope. It is in the communion of the Church that we encounter the person of Jesus Christ, who was himself a victim of injustice and sin. Like you, he still bears the wounds of his own unjust suffering. He understands the depths of your pain and its enduring effect upon your lives and your relationships, including your relationship with the Church. I know some of you find it difficult even to enter the doors of a church after all that has occurred. Yet Christ’s own wounds, transformed by his redemptive sufferings, are the very means by which the power of evil is broken and we are reborn to life and hope. I believe deeply in the healing power of his self-sacrificing love – even in the darkest and most hopeless situations – to bring liberation and the promise of a new beginning.
Speaking to you as a pastor concerned for the good of all God’s children, I humbly ask you to consider what I have said. I pray that, by drawing nearer to Christ and by participating in the life of his Church – a Church purified by penance and renewed in pastoral charity – you will come to rediscover Christ’s infinite love for each one of you. I am confident that in this way you will be able to find reconciliation, deep inner healing and peace.

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I am sure you heard, too, that early this week, President Obama signed the health care bill into law after Congress worked late into Sunday night to pass the legislation.

In fact, I spent the beginning of this week meeting at the headquarters of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington. One of the things we did during this time was to work on a statement that was then issued by the president of the USCCB, Cardinal George, in the name of the administrative board, which captures the spirit of the bishops.

We have always wanted health care for the poor, but our concern, first of all, has been to safeguard the provisions of the Hyde Amendment as well as the conscience protection for Catholic health care workers. Although we are told these issues are addressed by the executive order the President signed yesterday, we are concerned that this is not an adequate way to deal with such serious matters.

This is the statement Cardinal George issued on behalf of the U.S. bishops Tuesday:

For nearly a century, the Catholic bishops of the United States have called for reform of our health care system so that all may have access to the care that recognizes and affirms their human dignity. Christian discipleship means, “working to ensure that all people have access to what makes them fully human and fosters their human dignity” (United States Catechism for Adults, page 454). Included among those elements is the provision of necessary and appropriate health care.

For too long, this question has gone unaddressed in our country. Often, while many had access to excellent medical treatment, millions of others including expectant mothers, struggling families or those with serious medical or physical problems were left unable to afford the care they needed. As Catholic bishops, we have expressed our support for efforts to address this national and societal shortcoming. We have spoken for the poorest and most defenseless among us. Many elements of the health care reform measure signed into law by the President address these concerns and so help to fulfill the duty that we have to each other for the common good. We are bishops, and therefore pastors and teachers. In that role, we applaud the effort to expand health care to all.

Nevertheless, for whatever good this law achieves or intends, we as Catholic bishops have opposed its passage because there is compelling evidence that it would expand the role of the federal government in funding and facilitating abortion and plans that cover abortion. The statute appropriates billions of dollars in new funding without explicitly prohibiting the use of these funds for abortion, and it provides federal subsidies for health plans covering elective abortions. Its failure to preserve the legal status quo that has regulated the government’s relation to abortion, as did the original bill adopted by the House of Representatives last November, could undermine what has been the law of our land for decades and threatens the consensus of the majority of Americans: that federal funds not be used for abortions or plans that cover abortions. Stranger still, the statute forces all those who choose federally subsidized plans that cover abortion to pay for other peoples’ abortions with their own funds. If this new law is intended to prevent people from being complicit in the abortions of others, it is at war with itself.

We share fully the admirable intention of President Obama expressed in his pending Executive Order, where he states, “it is necessary to establish an adequate enforcement mechanism to ensure that Federal funds are not used for abortion services.” However, the fact that an Executive Order is necessary to clarify the legislation points to deficiencies in the statute itself. We do not understand how an Executive Order, no matter how well intentioned, can substitute for statutory provisions.

The statute is also profoundly flawed because it has failed to include necessary language to provide essential conscience protections (both within and beyond the abortion context). As well, many immigrant workers and their families could be left worse off since they will not be allowed to purchase health coverage in the new exchanges to be created, even if they use their own money.

Many in Congress and the Administration, as well as individuals and groups in the Catholic community, have repeatedly insisted that there is no federal funding for abortion in this statute and that strong conscience protection has been assured. Analyses that are being published separately show this not to be the case, which is why we oppose it in its current form. We and many others will follow the government’s implementation of health care reform and will work to ensure that Congress and the Administration live up to the claims that have contributed to its passage. We believe, finally, that new legislation to address its deficiencies will almost certainly be required.

As bishops, we wish to recognize the principled actions of the pro-life Members of Congress from both parties, in the House and the Senate, who have worked courageously to create legislation that respects the principles outlined above. They have often been vilified and have worked against great odds.

As bishops of the Catholic Church, we speak in the name of the Church and for the Catholic faith itself. The Catholic faith is not a partisan agenda, and we take this opportunity to recommit ourselves to working for health care which truly and fully safeguards the life, dignity, conscience and health of all, from the child in the womb to those in their last days on earth.

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Now, on to some details of my week…

Last Thursday, I met with recently-ordained priests at St. John’s Seminary. I’ve had the custom of periodically meeting with the priests ordained in the last five years for Holy Hour, dinner, and discussion on priestly life and ministry.

I’ve found this to be a very valuable practice both to be connected to the priests and to help them experience greater fraternity amongst themselves. It’s always a very uplifting experience for me, as well.

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Friday evening, I gathered with a group of seminarians at the cathedral. We have been inviting the seminarians in small groups to come to the Cathedral also for Holy Hour, dinner, and discussion.

It’s an opportunity to get to know them in a more intimate setting and to be able to have direct communication with them. I think that they appreciate the opportunity to spend some time with their bishop.

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On Saturday, I attended a banquet for the Year for Priests at St. Joseph Parish in Holbrook. Father Riley organized the event for the parish to honor all of the priests who have served there over the last 100 years.

There was a Mass and a dinner.

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Sunday morning, I celebrated Mass at St. John’s Seminary to mark the 10^th anniversary of the Master of Arts in Ministry (MAM) program. The program trains lay people to work in various aspects of Church ministry.

MAM staff and faculty members

I was the celebrant and homilist at the Mass.

I thanked all those who have supported the program, particularly the faculty, seminary rector Father Arthur Kennedy, MAM’s director Dr. Aldona Lingertat, and former directors Father Paul Ritt, Father Bob Oliver, Sister Pierre Jean Wilson and Passionist Father Robin Ryan.

With the current and former directors

MAM director Aldona Lingertat

I thanked all of them and commented the program has expanded now to the certificate program for catechists and said what a valuable asset that is going to be to the archdiocese.

Bishop Malone with some of the former students and staff

Bishop Malone concelebrated the Mass and gave the keynote at the luncheon. It was wonderful that he was able to attend, since he was very much involved in establishing the program.

- – -

That evening, I had a vicariate dinner with priests at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Revere.

It is always great to be able to share in the priestly fraternity with my brother priests in small groups and in a casual setting that allows for conversation and sharing.

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Then I flew to Washington for some important bishops’ meetings.

On Monday, I had two committee meetings — the Committee for Clergy, Vocations and Consecrated Life and the pro-life committee.

In the evening, I attended a dinner sponsored by the Knights of Malta for the organizations that are working in Haiti. The subcommittee for Haiti to which I belong along with Archbishop Gomez, Bishop Wenski, and Bishop Sansaricq met with the Haitian ambassador, representatives from CRS, US AID, and other emergency relief organizations. We had a dinner meeting that night at the University Club in Washington.

The following day, the administrative board meeting began in which we discussed the health care situation and issued the statement that I posted above.

During my stay, Msgr. Louis Quinn died so I was able to go to the funeral. Msgr. Quinn was at St. Matthew’s Cathedral for decades. He actually went there 65 years ago as a newly-ordained priest as the curate in the parish.

At that time, St. Matthew’s was not the cathedral because there was no residential bishop in Washington, it was still part of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the time.

After taking other assignments, he returned as the rector and remained there for a number of years. In addition to his responsibilities at the cathedral, he was also chaplain to the Knights of Malta and the Catholic women’s organizations.

He was blessed with extraordinary health and until very recently was playing golf, visiting the sick in the hospital continuously and carrying on his priestly ministry. I worked in that parish for 20 years as a seminarian, deacon and priest while he was there.

When in Washington I usually have Mass with the Friars and at Capuchin College, which is where I stay. However, on Thursday morning, I had the opportunity to have Mass for the Hermanas Carmelitas de la Caridad de Vedruna. They are a Spanish order and their name translates to the Camelite Sisters of Charity of Vedruna.

Many of these sisters worked with me at the Centro Católico over the 20 years that I was in Washington: We had the center in Maryland with Sister Amaya and Sister Carmen; Sister Engracia was a nurse working in the clinic, Sister Manuela ran the employment agency, Sister Pilar ran the youth program…

Their community has made a great contribution to the Church in Washington, particularly working with the immigrants and the poor. It was so good to be able to be with them.

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March 24 was the 30^th anniversary of the death of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was a very dear friend. His great ministry in defense of human rights resulted in his martyrdom while celebrating Mass.

We look forward to the day when his memory will be revered by the Church’s official recognition of his holiness. In the meantime we pray for the Salvadorian people and the Church in El Salvador.

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Finally, recently I went to CatholicTV for a special "Conversations with Cardinal Sean". Father Reed was very eager to spak to me about my recent visit to Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake there. You can watch the video here:

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

This is a privileged week in the Church’s calendar because we celebrate our diocesan patron St. Patrick, but we also celebrate the Solemnity of St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus who is the patron of the Universal Church.

Although Scripture gives us very little information about his life, his devotion to Mary and his tender love for Christ have won for him a place in the hearts of all Catholics.

In the Italian community in Boston, it is a very special feast day.

So having such large Italian and Irish communities makes this week a very special week in our spiritual celebrations.

We also want to say a word of congratulations to the Sisters of St. Joseph who are a a religious community here in the archdiocese and who will be celebrating their special day today. Our Vicar General, Father Richard Erikson, wrote a piece in this week’s Pilot on St. Joseph and the sisters.   You can read it here.

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As you know, we have been closely watching developments in the debate over health care reform.

That issue seems likely to come to a head this week with a vote in the House of Representatives.

Health care is such an important issue for the United States. It’s very disturbing to see that there seems to be a rush to push through legislation without carefully weighing all of the consequences.

I think it’s unfortunate that some Catholic groups have not paid close enough attention to what the bishops are saying regarding the present legislation. It would undermine the Hyde Amendment and put us at the mercy of regulations that could very easily be altered.

As many studies have shown, the vast majority of Americans favored the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits federal money from being used to pay for abortions. The only thing we are asking is that this be enshrined in the new legislation.

In our enthusiasm for universal health care, we cannot underestimate the importance of having a strong and firm backing for the principles of the Hyde Amendment incorporated into this legislation. The administration should take more time to craft legislation that will create a consensus in the country rather than trying to force through this legislation by using procedural gimmicks.

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Now, on to the events of my week…

Friday evening, I had a Holy Hour and dinner with 30 of our seminarians.

I am always looking for more opportunities to get to know the seminarians better. So, I am having the seminarians come in groups to the Cathedral for Holy Hour and dinner.

It’s always very encouraging to see the very fine men we have aspiring for the priesthood in the archdiocese.

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Saturday, I went to Providence to attend the diocesan Religious Education and Faith Formation Workshop Day and their Men’s Conference.

As part of their Religious Education conference, I celebrated Mass with Bishop Tobin and Archbishop George Pearce, and a number of priests from the Diocese of Providence.

They had about 1,000 catechists at the conference.

In addition to the catechetical conference, they were also having a men’s conference with about 150 men.

After I celebrated at the Mass and preached, I went to have lunch at the men’s conference and then gave them a talk in the afternoon.

The catechetical conference was very well organized by Lisa Gulino, who worked for me for many years in Fall River. She is an outstanding lay evangelist and catechist.

The men’s conference was organized by the Rhode Island Men of St. Joseph, a local men’s organization that has local chapters in parishes and works on encouraging men to be committed to Jesus Christ.

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On Sunday, I celebrated Confirmations for St. Catherine of Genoa, St. Ann and St. Joseph in Somerville.

The celebration itself was held in St. Catherine’s. While I was there, I got some beautiful pictures of the church, which I consider one of the most beautiful churches in the archdiocese, with its impressive murals and altars.

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Early this week, I was in Washington D.C. for a board meeting of the Catholic University of America.

One of the key issues we dealt with was the process of searching for a new president. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Father David O’Connell, after 12 years of service, is moving on.

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Wednesday, I was the principal celebrant and homilist at a Mass at the Cathedral to honor the patron of our archdiocese, St. Patrick.

In my homily, I talked about this painting of St. Patrick I was given years ago while visiting Puerto Rico.

As you would expect, he is shown with his miter and crosier — the symbols of a bishop — and of course there is the symbol of the snakes. At the same time, it is also quite unique in that St. Patrick is depicted as a black man surrounded by palm trees.

The painting is a tangible reminder that the message of Patrick is truly universal.

For those of you who couldn’t make it to the Cathedral that day, here is an audio slide show with my homily that was put together by our archdiocesan newspaper The Pilot.

I finished my day staying at the Cathedral to hear confessions as part of The Light Is On For You initiative.

Peace be with you,

Cardinal Seán

The bishops’ position on health care reform has favored a new system that will provide universal coverage, but the current process may end up creating a bill that will provide federal funding for abortion. As much as we agree on the need to provide universal coverage, we cannot support a health care bill at the expense of life.

The Senate Bill that passed before Christmas and which is now expected to be “reconciled” is unacceptable in terms of funding for abortion and conscience protection. It even includes funding for Planned Parenthood abortion centers among other anti-life related issues.

I highly recommend that you watch this video from Kathy Saile, director of the U.S. Bishops’ Office For Domestic Social Development on the topic:

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Last Friday, we officially kicked off our 2010 Catholic Appeal, “Called to Love and Share”, with a press conference at the Pastoral Center.

We were very grateful for the hard work of the Catholic Foundation staff on last year’s appeal, which resulted in us meeting our goal.

Scot Landry, our Secretary for Institutional Advancement

We began the new appeal last Sunday in most parishes of the archdiocese. As we have done many times before, I taped a homily that was offered to all parishes to be played at the Masses.

Then, at the same press conference, a number of the Boston media wanted to ask questions about my visit to Haiti, so I shared some of my experiences of last week’s trip with them.

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On Sunday, I offered a Mass at St. Stephen’s in the North End, which is the headquarters of the Missionary Society of St. James.

During the Mass, we had the sending ceremony for two priests who are beginning their ministries in Latin America through the Society: Father Tom Keyes and Father John Molloy.

With Fathers Molloy and Keyes and the director of the St. James Society, Father Kevin Hayes

Father Keyes has served with the Society in Bolivia before and he is currently at St. Lucy’s in Methuen. He will be heading off in April to work in Peru.

Father Molloy is from County Clare, Ireland. His family and some of his classmates flew in from Ireland to join him for the sending Mass. I understand he will be in mission in Ecuador.

With Father Molloy and his parents, Margaret and Gerard Malloy

I blessed the missionary crosses which were given to them.

Father Kevin Hayes, the director of the St. James Society, spoke as well.

Cardinal Cushing started the society 50 years ago and during that time we have sent over 300 priests. May God bless and protect these men as they help to continue that important work!

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Realizing that many, many Haitians would have no opportunity to bury their dead or to assist at a funeral Mass, we decided to have a memorial Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday. The Mass was offered for Archbishop Miot and all of those who died in the earthquake in Haiti.

We set up a catafalque to represent the dead. The Haitian choirs from St. John’s and St. Angela’s came together. Many members of the Haitian community and quite a number of the diplomatic corps from Boston attended the Mass.

The catafalque, which the platform on which a coffin normally rests during a funeral Mass

At the end of Mass, the consul general of Haiti addressed the crowd. There were almost 2,000 people in the Cathedral.

Consul General Ms. Emmanuelle Dupiton

It was a very moving experience for all of us. At the end of Mass, they sang the national anthem of Haiti.

There was a collection taken up for the Haitian relief efforts

At the Mass, we prayed for all of the dead. I wanted to assure the people attending of God’s mercy and love for us all, and that the earthquake should not be seen as a punishment.

In fact, Sunday’s readings were very appropriate. In the Gospel, Jesus uses the example of the Galileans killed by Pilate and those who died when they were crushed by the tower of Siloam. He says they didn’t suffer that fate because they were worse sinners than anyone else. Our God is a merciful God, who during this holy season of Lent, calls us to deepen our friendship with him so that we’ll be able to live in eternal life.

- – -

Sunday evening, I had another of our dinners with priests of the different vicariates of the archdiocese, this time at Parish of the Assumption in Lynnfield.

I think these gatherings have been a good way to promote priestly fraternity during the Year for Priests and to be able to thank the priests for their good work.

- – -

In the evening, I went over to Sacred Heart Parish in East Boston to hear confessions as part of the The Light Is On For You initiative.

At Sacred Heart, they had a rosary, stations, adoration, and Holy Hour during the time confessions were being heard.

Father Wayne Belschner organized it very well and good group of people came together to participate.  I was happy to be a part of it.

We were happy for the publicity that this initiative has received. People are beginning to get the message and are coming for these opportunities to reconnect with the sacraments, particularly the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is so important in our own spiritual growth.

I encourage all of you to remind your friends that every Wednesday night we have this opportunity in all of our churches!

- – -

Yesterday, we had a luncheon to honor Diane Rosenbaum for her work at the Anti-Defamation League. We have had a longstanding relationship with ADL, and Diane, who’s moving on to other ventures, has been a particularly good friend to local Catholic-Jewish relations.

In addition to being involved with many other projects at ADL, Diane has spent a great deal of her time, devotion and enthusiasm overseeing a unique program co-sponsored by the archdiocese and the Anti-Defamation League. The program is called “New Directions” and is co-directed by two outstanding educators, Celia Sirois, who is Catholic, and Naomi Towvim, who is Jewish.

“New Directions” is a series of workshops to teach Catholic and Jewish religious educators how to talk about the other with accuracy and respect. We’re very grateful for all that Diane and ADL have done with us to continue to develop and fund this unique program. And we wish all the best to Diane as she seeks to continue her great work in Christian-Jewish relations.

Diane gave me this wonderful gift of an oil lamp from Israel from the 6th century.

- – -

Later I met with Rev. Jack Johnson of the Massachusetts Council of Churches and a number of the leaders of the other Christian denominations in Massachusetts, including Metropolitan Methodios.

We discussed a number of issues including the situation in Haiti and about the need to work together to oppose the expansion of gambling in Massachusetts.

Another issue of common concern we spoke about was ways to promote the Sabbath. More and more we are seeing social activities, like sports events and practices, that are scheduled on Sundays — at the same time as religious services. This is a matter of concern for all of us and we hope to work together so people do not feel forced to choose between attending church services and these other events.

- – -

Finally, this week we learned the sad news that Mr. Ray Tye had passed away.

With Ray at the 2009 Catholic Charities Spring Celebration

Ray was one of the most distinguished philanthropists from our local community. Foremost among Mr. Tye’s many good works was the Ray Tye Medical Foundation, which has transformed the lives of countless young people and families by providing them medical care that they would otherwise not have received.

Last year Catholic Charities was privileged to honor Mr. Tye with the Catholic Charities Justice and Compassion Award, without question he embodied the highest ideals the award represents.

We extend our prayers and condolences to Mr. Tye’s family, his colleagues, and all who knew him as a friend.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

On Thursday, I had a visit with Sister Agatha Osarenkkoe, the newly elected superior general of the Sisters of the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, Sister Christiana Onyewache, and our Delegate for Religious, Sister Marian Batho.

We are grateful for the work that Sister Christiana is doing in the archdiocese with the Nigerian community here.

- – -

In the evening we were visited by Dr. Andy Gomez of the University of Miami.

Dr. Gomez gave us some updates on the situation in Cuba after the death of Orlando Zapata Tamayo who was on hunger strike for 85 days.

During the visit he presented me with a jar of Cuban soil that came from the site of his father’s grave.

I was touched by that gesture. There are so many Cubans who have not gone back since the time of the revolution. Many are forbidden from traveling to Cuba, others refuse to go back on principle.

It reminded me of when, as a young lad, I went to Ireland and my grandfather said, “Bring a little dirt back on your shoe.” People have that attachment to their homeland.

- – -

On Saturday, we had the 5th annual Boston Catholic Women’s Conference at the Cathedral.

Having the event at the Cathedral was a great blessing.  There was a great deal of enthusiasm expressed for the experience the women had at the mother church of the Archdiocese of Boston.

The event was possible thanks to the generosity of Father Kevin O’Leary, the Cathedral’s rector, as well as Christol Murch and everyone at Cathedral High, which allowed many of its facilities to be used.

The speakers were all very well received. I was pleased to be able to celebrate the closing Eucharist.

- – -

Later in the day, we had a whirlwind visit by Kiko Arguello, the initiator of the Neocatechumenal Way. He was supposed to visit during the day but his plane coming from D.C. was cancelled, so he was in Boston just for a couple of hours.

We discussed the addition of a new vice-rector for our Redemptoris Mater Seminary, the plans for building a center for the Church in Jerusalem and the upcoming meeting of American bishops with the Neocatechumenal Way that will take place at the Domus Galilaeae in Israel next January.

It was a joy to have him in Boston. I am always in awe of his energy, enthusiasm, and optimism.

- – -

The next morning, I went to St. Mary’s in Chelmsford for a family Mass. The church was filled with young families. It was a great celebration. They have a wonderful children’s choir.

Altar servers with Fr. Stephen Donohoe, Pastor (far right),
Deacon Jack Bortz (inside right, next to Fr. Steve),
Parochial Vicar Fr. William Dunn (center)

Parish Children’s Choir

We enjoyed being there very much with Father Steve, who has done a wonderful job.

- – -

On Monday morning, before flying to Haiti, I was able to visit the Agrupación Católica in Miami and to see my old friends Father Amando Llorente and Javier Suarez.

Father Llorente has been the director of the Agrupacion since 1952 when he first arrived in the United States.

I celebrated Mass with Father Amando and Javier, and afterwards I was able to get a quick tour of some of the new features of the retreat center.

Below you see a new monument for the Jesuit Martyrs of Florida.  They call this the “Plaza de la Evangelizacion,” the Plaza of Evangelization.  It’s in a beautiful location overlooking the water on the shore of Miami.

From there we went back to the airport to meet up with the delegation from the USCCB and fly to Port-au-Prince.

- – -

I was asked by the Bishops Conference to be a part of a committee to assess the needs of the Church in Haiti. The committee is working out of the secretariat for Latin America. This year, our chairman is Archbishop Gomez, and the committee consists of Archbishop Gomez, Bishop Sansaricq, the auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn who helped me to start the Haitian ministry in Washington, D.C. forty years ago; Bishop Tom Wenski of Orlando who ran the Haitian center in Miami for many years; Father Andrew Small who is director of the office; and myself.

The purpose of our trip was to express the solidarity of our bishops’ conference and begin the conversation about what the ongoing needs are going to be and how we might help contribute and coordinate in the effort of rebuilding Haiti, particularly the Catholic Church’s institutional presence. The Catholic Church is the most important institution in Haiti.

We flew out of Fort Lauderdale and there was a very long delay.

When we got to Haiti, we were met by the nuncio and people from Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Lisa Wangsness, a reporter for the Boston Globe, and R.D. Sahl of NECN were there as well.

The nuncio took us from the airport to the nunciature, where we had dinner with President René Préval and his wife Elisabeth.

It was very interesting to meet with them. We were grateful he and his wife made time for our delegation to share with us some of their hopes and concerns for Haiti.

I gave rosaries to him and his wife, and he gave me books on the history of the city of Port-au-Prince from 1743 to 1950.

The author is a Haitian historian, George Corvington. I looked at the section that he has on the Catholic Church. It’s very interesting and it has a number of historic pictures.

These pictures document a very different Haiti from the Port-au-Prince that we were experiencing after the earthquake, which is possibly the greatest natural disaster of our lifetime.

The cathedral

More people perished in the earthquake in Port-au-Prince than at Hiroshima. This devastation is compounded by the fact that the resources in Haiti are so limited and Haiti, as a country, is unable to deal with it.

The international community is coming together to help, but there is going to be great challenges in coordinating both the relief efforts and reconstruction going forward. Certainly, there’s been a great outpouring of concern and it was encouraging to see the doctors and others who have gone there. I know that our American troops are also making a big difference in terms of safety and distributing relief.

At the dinner, the president’s wife gave us a picture drawn by children. She’s very much involved in the efforts in education.

Education is certainly one of the priorities that the bishops want to promote going forward. Before the earthquake, only half of the children in Haiti went to school. The other half did not. Only 10 percent of the schools are public schools. The rest of the schools are private, many of them Catholic schools. For the Church, that ministry is a very important one.

Tuesday morning we had Mass for Les Fille de Marie at their general house. They lost 14 of their sisters in a convent that collapsed, and 11 of their sisters who were very seriously injured were taken to Santo Domingo where some of them are having amputations and other kinds of surgery.

It was a very moving experience to hear what the sisters had been through.

Bishop Sansaricq’s sister, who belongs to Les Filles de la Sagesse, the Daughters of Wisdom, lives in a convent right near where we were. So, she came to be at the Mass and see her brother. Sister Sylvia is her name.

From there we went to Louverture Cleary, which is a Catholic school named after both Toussaint Louverture, one of the great revolutionary heroes in Haiti, and Father Cleary who was a priest from Providence and the pastor of St. Joseph Church there.

St. Joseph Parish has been instrumental, along with other parishes, in sponsoring this school. Deacon Patrick Moynihan from Providence and his wife live in Haiti with their children and run the school. They are extraordinary individuals with high energy.

There are a couple hundred students in the school. This is a school for exceptional children taken from the slums.

They all learn four languages and are prepared for university work. The children themselves each day spend time teaching other children who don’t go to school how to read and write. They are asked to commit themselves to stay in the country once they become adults, because many of the professional class have left Haiti.

On the other hand, over half of the gross national product of Haiti is comprised of the remittances that Haitians in the United States and Canada send back as direct aid to their families, which provide the possibility for food, education, and shelter – for very basic needs for their families.

Patrick and his wife showed us the facilities.

He compares the place to a medieval monastery where the surrounding community is involved because they hire a lot of people who live in the very poor neighborhood there. They are helping them to rebuild their houses. It’s just an extraordinary enterprise.

They have so many different activities and at the center of it all is the school. There are a number of international volunteers, as well as Haitians, on staff there.

It is just one more reminder of how many ties there are with the Church in New England and Haiti.

From there, we went to visit the cathedral.

We prayed on the ruins of the cathedral. They showed us where the bishop’s residence had been, but that is completely gone. The offices of Radio Soleil and the other diocesan offices are still standing, but it is like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you wonder how it is still standing.

Certainly, the symbolism of the destroyed cathedral, the loss of the National Palace and other landmarks are obviously a large psychological blow to the people.

From there, we visited the Saint Françoise de Sales Hospital, which is run by the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince. There were many volunteers there – some from Maryland and many other places.

I was very impressed by one Haitian doctor I met there, who after the hurricane, sent his family to Canada, but he stayed in Haiti. He’s living in his car. His house is gone. He spends every day taking care of the children at the hospital.

A number of the doctors working there who come in from other countries are living at the nunciature.

The nunciature is running a something like a hotel for doctors there. We met a wonderful Filipino doctor and his wife, who are both from California. They are all volunteering. The buildings of the hospital are damaged, so they set up tents in the courtyard.

We also visited the grave of Archbishop Miot.

Then we visited the seminary that collapsed, killing a number of seminarians. I think there were 11 or 12 seminarians of the Montfort Fathers who were crushed. They were in a van trying to escape and a building fell on them. There we met a young seminarian, also a Montfort seminarian, who will be coming up to Boston for brain surgery. The Partners in Health have taken him under their wing.

Then we went back to the nunciature. From there we visited the largest refugee camp, which is the Petionville Club Camp. They have taken over an old country club, and Catholic Relief Services is running that camp.

It is very well run and American troops are helping to maintain security and guard it. There are about 60,000 people sleeping there every night, and they have food, medical services and many other activities for the people. They have organized a camp government, a council of people within the camp to help plan and make decisions for that community. It is like a large town. Everyone there has the highest praise for what Catholic Relief Services is accomplishing there and throughout Haiti.

From there, we visited the convent of a very small community of cloistered Carmelite sisters.

There were three Haitian sisters and one French sister. They had taken in a lot of children whose families could not take care of them. Everywhere you go people had tents because they’re afraid to stay inside.

When we got there, there were three tents. Someone said, paraphrasing the Gospel, “How good it is for us to be there and let us build three tents.” There were three nuns in that monastery and three tents.

I told them we have two cloistered Carmelite convents in Boston, and I would take their greetings back to them.

In the camps, the religious spirit of the people was quite noticeable. They would sing religious hymns for hours every night. There were priests and others ministering to their pastoral needs. In fact, one of the things we brought with us were vestments to give them because some of the priests didn’t even have vestments for the celebration of the Eucharist.

From there, we went back to the nunciature where we had dinner with a number of leaders of the community. Among them were Dr. Edmond Mulet, who is the new head of the UN delegation there.

Of course even before the earthquake, the UN had a very large presence in Haiti. They were working in many different areas to try and help the country before but they lost 91 of their people.  Dr. Mulet was sent to begin rebuilding their presence in the country.

It was quite interesting to listen to some of his thoughts and concerns and I was pleased to learn we have some mutual friends in Guatemala, Victor Menendez and Alvaro Arzú and others.

After this meal with the various leaders in the community, we had a long meeting late into the night with the bishops and the nuncio to discuss the next steps and how to coordinate the efforts of the Church.

The following day, Father Small was going to Germany to meet with different Catholic organizations there.

So much needs to be done with the rebuilding of the communities. Part of the question is: Where  will those communities be and will people be able to move back to the same neighborhoods? There’s still concern from geologists and others that there could be more seismic activity. One of the faults, we are told, goes right underneath the nunciature. (They have their little tents on the lawn there too.)

I was so impressed with the nuncio, Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, who is Filipino.

Touring the damage with Archbishop Bernardito Auza

I was so impressed by his ability to deal with the situation.   He had been stationed at the Holy See’s delegation to the United Nations in New York as well as Geneva, so he has an understanding of these international organizations, and he speaks perfect English which is helpful in dealing with U.S. organizations, especially the military.   I think he is a great support to the bishops of Haiti.

At this time, it’s very challenging not having an archbishop, but the administrator is Bishop Joseph Lafontant, the auxiliary bishop. He has been auxiliary bishop for many years in Port-au-Prince, and is doing an admirable job guiding that diocese through the worst point in its history.

Over half a million refugees have gone to the other provinces of Haiti. In a way, that’s a blessing, but those provinces are ill-equipped to receive them. They don’t have food and resources for the people that are there. One of the things that CRS is doing is paying for the tuition and food of those children who are in Catholic schools when they go to those other parts of the country.

They want to give people incentives to stay in those other towns so people don’t go back to Port-au-Prince. Port-au-Prince is a disaster area. There’s no water, electricity, or basic services. People are better off being out there. As I said, only 10 percent of the schools are public schools. The Catholic school system is much bigger. Many of the Catholic schools are free but others need to charge. So, CRS will help to underwrite the education of the children that are refugees in the various provinces.

The next morning, we had Mass at the Missionaries of Charity. The Missionaries of Charity have about 65 sisters working in Haiti. We were very happy to be able to meet with them and hear about their work. I was delighted that the sister who founded my community in St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands is now there – Sister Genova.

I asked Archbishop Gomez to preside at that Mass. We all concelebrated the Mass with the sisters.

Everywhere we went, we were very warmly received. People were comforted to realize the Church in the United States is very concerned about them. They were grateful for the help they are receiving. We were all very edified by the faith, resilience, and the spirit and determination of the Haitian people in the face of such tragedy. The Haitian people have such great faith. They’ve suffered much in their history, yet the spirit that motivates them is their love for God and trust in His providence. Everyone talked about how, in the refugee camps, you’d hear people singing hymns all night long.

The following two videos will help you get a good sense of the destruction and the wonderful work of the Church and so many volunteers in Haiti:

Please continue to pray for the victims of the earthquake and their families.

Much love and peace.

Cardinal Seán

On Sunday, I am traveling to Haiti with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to help assess the impact that earthquake had on the local Church.

The U.S. bishops are providing immediate assistance through Catholic Relief Services but we have created a commission that will advise the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America that will also provide long-term help to the Church in Haiti as they rebuild.

I am going with Father Andrew Small, who heads the secretariat for Latin America, Archbishop José Gomez of San Antonio, Bishop Thomas Wenski of Orlando and Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn Guy Sansaricq, who is Haitian.

Back in the 1970’s then-Father Guy was the priest in Brooklyn who helped me to begin the Haitian apostolate in Washington. Never did I imagine that 40 years later we would be going to Haiti in circumstances like this.

We’re very pleased that there has been such a generous response from Boston for support of Haiti. Not only have our parishes raised about $2 million for Catholic Relief Services but I was told that a local foundation has given $500,000 to the Papal Foundation for the works of Mother Theresa’s sisters.

In addition to financial help, several of our priests, including Father Osterman and Father Unni, are involved with institutions in Haiti. Our Catholic hospitals have sent out 75 doctors and nurses in conjunction with the Order of Malta. There have been many points of connection.

When I return from Haiti, we will be celebrating a memorial Mass on Sunday, March 7 for Archbishop Joseph Miot and all of those who have perished in this terrible earthquake.

- – -

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to meet with one of our priests who serves as a military chaplain, Capt. William Kennedy, the Command Chaplain for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. Father Kennedy will be accompanying his unit as they are deployed to Afghanistan in the coming weeks. They will be stationed for one year in the Helmand Province in the south of Afghanistan.

Father Kennedy performing baptisms for troop in Fallujah, Iraq

Father Kennedy with a confirmation class

Our Archdiocese has always been blessed to have a number of priests assigned as chaplains in the military. Their service to the women and men who are far from home and often in uncertain circumstances is a very important ministry. I give thanks for the dedication and courage of the men and women of the military and their chaplains and each day pray for their safe return home.

- – -

Last Friday, I met with Lisa Alberghini of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs and John Noone, Chair of the Board, for our Annual Member Meeting. The Planning Office is a social justice ministry of the Archdiocese that develops permanent affordable housing on behalf of the Church for people of limited means. We talked about work they are doing with Pine Street Inn that will provide permanent housing for the homeless in Boston’s South End, and about a housing development they hope to begin working on soon in Dorchester with St. Mary’s Women and Children’s Center (another Archdiocesan ministry).

We also discussed the Hayes Building in Haverhill, which is now under construction and will provide affordable housing to low-income working families when it is complete, and about Rose Hill Manor (named after St. Theresa of Lisieux, who was known as “Little Flower”), in Father Gene Tully’s Parish in Billerica. Rose Hill Manor will be affordable elderly housing that is scheduled to begin construction this summer.

The Hayes Building

We also talked about a delegation of Jews and Arabs from Israel that recently visited the Rollins Square development in the South End. Rollins has become well known for its mixed-income housing where all people can live with dignity and respect in homes they can afford. The Israeli group was in the United States studying successful housing models, and they enjoyed breakfast at the Rectory of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross prior to their tour of Rollins.

Finally, we talked about an attempt by some to eliminate the State’s affordable housing law, known as Chapter 40B. Chapter 40B is responsible for providing more than 29,000 units of housing for low and moderate-income households across the Commonwealth, and it will be very important that we preserve this critical housing tool.

- – -

That evening, I went to St. Leonard’s Parish in the North End to be with our young adults.

For some time now, we’ve been having activities once per month for young adults in the North End. The idea came from discovering, while going for ice cream at the Piazza Navona in Rome late one night, that all the young people were congregated at the Church of Sant’Agnese for Mass and adoration.

The Piazza Navona in Rome

The church

It occurred to me that the North End, with its hundreds of restaurants, is our version of Piazza Navona— it is where people go for a pastry or ice cream and the streets are always busy and full of young people. So, we approached Father Antonio Nardoianni, pastor of St. Leonard’s on Hanover Street, and he has generously allowed us to use the church.

Last Friday, which was the first Friday of Lent, we had an hour of adoration, confessions, Mass, and then socializing after Mass.

We had a full church of young people. Some people who were going down the streets saw the lights and came in. Other were invited by the seminarians who are usually outside before Mass inviting people to join us.

- – -

On Saturday, I attended the annual Permanent Diaconate Convocation at St. Patrick Parish in Stoneham.

Deacons Dan Burns and Pat Guerini, as well as Father Bill Kelly, are responsible for the ongoing formation for the deacons, and they are doing a terrific Job.

During the convocation they had Father David Couturier, the director of our Pastoral Planning Office, speaking to them on that topic.

I celebrated the Mass for them and afterwards gave them a short talk and took questions and answers.

We’re very pleased that soon we’ll be having an ordination class every year among the deacons. We see this is an important part of our strategy to meet the growing pastoral needs in our parishes going forward.

- – -

Later, I went to St. Jerome in Weymouth for another vicariate dinner. It was a very large turnout.

Father Bob Blaney, the pastor there, was very welcoming and Bishop John Dooher was also with us. As I have mentioned in prior posts, we have been doing this during the Year for Priests as an opportunity for me to get together with the priests in each of the 20 vicariates.

- – -

On Sunday, I celebrated the Rite of Election at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

The first Sunday of Lent is always a very special moment in the life of the Church because in all the cathedrals in the world, bishops are receiving the catechumens and the candidates who will be baptized and received into full communion at the Easter Vigil at the end of Lent.

This year, we had over 600 people preparing to enter the Church, which for Boston is a very good number. It’s up 200 from last year. As we often do, we had two sessions because the Cathedral is not big enough to hold those who want to attend.

The rite is an opportunity for these new Catholics to experience the catholicity of the Church because so many different ethnic groups are represented. Also the fact that the celebration is in the Cathedral helps them realize that they are joining, not just an individual parish, but a larger community of the diocese and universal Church.

- – -

On Monday, I celebrated Mass for Communion and Liberation at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. It was a memorial Mass marking the anniversary of the death of their founder, Father Luigi Giussani. We celebrated it actually on the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.

Father Giussani was a high school religion teacher in Italy who began a youth movement that has grown into a very important reality in the life of the Church. CL now not only has lay people but priests in the Priestly Fraternity of St. Charles Borromeo who are in the archdiocese now, as well as consecrated members — men and women who make vows, live in the community, and pursue their secular professions.

In fact, last Saturday I had a nice visit with a community of the Memores Domini — the consecrated members — who are living in the North End. They came to tell me they are expecting more members to come to be part of their community, so their presence will be permanent here in Boston. I was very pleased to hear that news.

They happen to be Italians, so it’s a great blessing to have them in the Italian neighborhood there where there are many other immigrants.

The Holy Father has a group of Memores Domini who run the papal household. Traditionally, that was a task that was performed by religious women, but Pope Benedict has invited women from Communion and Liberation to be the ones who run his household for him. And, he participates in their weekly meeting, which is called the “School of Community.”

So we had the Mass at the Cathedral, and afterwards there was a dinner. There were testimonies and singing.

- – -

On Tuesday evening, I met with our local Community of Sant’Egidio.

When I was in Rome, I met with the founder, Andrea Riccardi, at Santa Maria in Trastevere, a very ancient and beautiful Church.

With Cardinal Stafford and Andrea Riccardi in Rome

Cardinal Stafford gave me a tour and explained many of its important features.

I did not realize that that church had been Cardinal Gibbons’ titular church. Cardinal Gibbons was the Archbishop of Baltimore, and Cardinal Stafford started his Episcopal ministry as auxiliary in Baltimore.

Some of the most ancient mosaics and oldest icons in Rome are in that church.

It was very encouraging to see the church filled with young people who were there for the Mass of Sant’Egidio.

In Boston, we had a dinner and a meeting with their leadership, and then a prayer service with many people who are participating. They have a School of Peace for young people and they have a great ministry of visiting nursing homes.

Sant’Egidio, as a community, has done quite a lot in the area of social justice, particularly working for peace in various countries in Africa suffering through civil war. They have a major initiative to abolish capital punishment around the world.

We’re very pleased to have communities like Sant’Egidio and Communion Liberation in the archdiocese.

- – -

On Wednesday, I had a luncheon here at the Pastoral Center with pastors and finance council representatives from parishes participating in the first phase of an improved financial relationship model between the parishes and archdiocesan central ministries.

We are trying to restructure the way that the central ministries in the archdiocese are supported through the parish contribution. For over a year, many meetings have taken place exploring different options to accomplish this goal. Thirty-five parishes volunteered to be pilot parishes for this first phase of the improved financial relationship model.

As a kickoff, we had a luncheon here for the pastors of those parishes and representatives of their finance councils. Then, there was an explanation of how this process is going to work.

It is our hope that by increasing parish offerings, it will be easier for the parishes to support the central ministries of the archdiocese, and that will allow the Annual Appeal to be more involved in supporting works of mercy and evangelization rather than administrative tasks.

- – -

Last Wednesday, in over 300 different venues throughout the archdiocese, we had priests hearing confessions. By all reports, many people responded to the invitation of The Light Is On For You, despite the bad weather. I was pleased to be at St. Columbkille’s in Brighton hearing confessions.

- – -

Finally, I want to remind you that tomorrow is the annual Boston Catholic Women’s Conference. For the first time, we are holding this event at the Cathedral.

I encourage you all to pray for the success of this important initiative.

Until next week, blessings to you all!

Cardinal Seán

I want to begin this week by saying that I am deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Through parish special collections in the Archdiocese of Boston, $1,600,000 have been collected to date. The funds for this effort are still in the process of being submitted by our parishes so we expect the total amount we will be turning over to Catholic Relief Services for aid to Haiti will be approximately $2,000,000.

I am proud of the outreach of our pastoral, health care and social service ministries to those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti and to their friends and family in the Archdiocese of Boston. We continue to keep the people of Haiti in our thoughts and prayers and vow to continue to do all we can to assist our brethren in their time of greatest need.

- – -

As I left off last week, I was telling you about my journey to Rome for meetings with the Pontifical Council of the Family.

Whenever I am in Rome I try to meet with Boston priests and seminarians who are studying or serving there. This time I had dinner with Tom MacDonald, one of our seminarians who is studying at the North American College, and with Msgr. Deeley who works at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

With seminarian Tom MacDonald

On Thursday I participated at a special Mass at the Basilica with the Holy Father for the Day of the Sick and Our Lady of Lourdes.

The relics of St. Bernadette were brought in solemn procession. It was a lovely celebration.

In the Basilica I greeted Dr. John Haas, the head of the National Catholic Bioethics Center. Dr. E. Joanne Angelo,  a psychiatrist from Boston who is on the Pontifical Academy for Life, was also there.

I also had a chance to speak with Mother Agnes Mary Donovan, Superior General of the Sisters of Life. We are looking forward to someday having the Sisters of Life in Boston.

With Mother Agnes Mary and Dr. Angelo

Friday I witnessed a very rare occurrence in Rome – snow! 

We get our share of snow in Boston but I understand that it hasn’t snowed in Rome since since 1986. I had certainly never seen it snow there before.

That evening, I was invited to the Irish embassy for dinner. It’s located in a very ancient home on Rome’s Janiculum Hill named Villa Spada that the Republic of Ireland acquired in the 1930’s or 40’s to be their embassy to the Holy See.

Ambassador Noel Fahey and his wife Christine were our hosts. Ambassador Fahey had just been ambassador to the United States before coming there — which shows how important most countries consider the post of Vatican Ambassador, both as representative to the Holy See and also as a listening post, because of the kind of senior diplomats that tend to represent countries from throughout the world.

The ambassador was gracious in inviting us, along with Msgr. Francis Kelly, the Superior of Casa Santa Maria, and Msgr. Liam Bergin, the rector of the Irish college, as well as Ambassador Miguel Diaz and his wife.

With Ambassador Fahey, his wife Christine, and Msgr. Kelly

Ambassador Diaz, as you may know, is the new U.S. ambassador to the Holy See. When I was bishop in Palm Beach, he was teaching in the seminary there and his wife worked for the diocese forming lay ministers. Both of them have training in theology and they seem to be happy in their new role. Of course, it is challenging going to a new country, particularly with young children, but things seem to be going very well.

With Ambassador Miguel Diaz and Ambassador of the Netherlands to the Holy See Henriette JCM van Lynden-Leijten

The Irish ambassador was very, very gracious, and of course we all are very concerned for the present crisis in Ireland and we hold them up in our prayers.

As we were there in Rome, the Holy Father was preparing to meet with the bishops of Ireland. We look forward to the letter he will be writing to the Irish people, which will be of great interest to Catholics in Boston as well.

- – -

On Tuesday, I had another of the meetings we have been holding with vicariates. As I have mentioned in prior posts, these meetings are held with groups of priests to look at the priorities of the archdiocese and plan for the future.

This particular meeting was hosted by Father Dick Mehm at Immaculate Conception in Malden. It was very well attended and there was very lively discussion and participation. Those blog readers in the Boston area will remember that we had a snowstorm Tuesday which made for some difficult driving. However, I was pleased to see that everyone arrived despite the snow.

- – -

That evening, I attended a Mardi Gras dinner at Boston College High. BC High traditionally hosts the dinner, and they invite the priests from the area. I was happy to greet my brother priests there and thank BC High for their hospitality.

It is always a nice event that the priests enjoy very much. In fact, many of our priests are alumni of BC High, including one of my priest secretaries, Father Robert Kickham.

- – -

Both on Tuesday and Wednesday, I received visits from bishops of South America.

One of the visitors, Bishop Adalberto Martinez, the bishop of San Pedro in Paraguay, is a personal friend of mine. I ordained him a when I was bishop in the Virgin Islands and is now the bishop of San Pedro, a rural diocese in Paraguay, as well as the secretary general of the bishops’ conference in Paraguay. You may remember that I traveled to his diocese a couple of years ago for his installation.

He was in Boston with the head of his Catholic Charities program, Mr. Fabio Barreto. He was involved with meetings in the area and stopped by to pay a personal visit.

Likewise, we were visited by Bishop Kay Martin Schmalhausen Panizo. He is Peruvian but his father was German which explains the last name Schmalhausen, which means “narrow house” in German.

Bishop Schmalhausen is the prelate of Ayaviri, which is in the Peruvian Andes. About 90 percent of the population is indigenous and they speak Kechua.

He had meetings in the States and he came to speak to me about his diocese. He also met with Father Kevin Hayes, the president of the St. James Society, because priests from the Society have worked in his prelature before. He came with Father Juan Carlos Quine, a Peruvian priest from his prelature.

With Bishop Schmalhausen (on my left), Bishop Martinez and Father Quine

- – -

This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, which marked the beginning of the season of Lent.

That day, we had two Masses at the Pastoral Center: an 8 a.m. and noon. I celebrated the noon Mass and there were a number of concelebrating priests and deacons.

It was a standing-room-only crowd of people coming for ashes. Ash Wednesday is a day when Catholics do feel drawn to the Church, as this very ancient ritual strikes a chord in people’s hearts.

We’re very happy that in all of our parishes and chapels there are so many Catholics who do make a point of coming to receive the ashes. I understand that at St. Anthony Shrine on Arch Street they give out ashes to about 40,000 people.

One of the things I spoke about in my homily was The Light Is On For You, a program that we are initiating this Lent here in the archdiocese that gives the opportunity for confessions in all of our churches and chapels on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Afterwards, I was interviewed by Greg Wayland of NECN about this initiative. You may have seen this clip from the evening news already, but in case you missed it, or you want to see it again, I have included it for you.

I encourage you all to visit one of our churches or chapels on Wednesdays during this Lenten season. The lights will be on.

You have my prayers.

Cardinal Seán

Greetings, everyone:

Last week, on the Sunday after the Feast of Candlemas (the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord) the Church observed World Day for Consecrated Life, a celebration which was instituted by Pope John Paul II.

I took occasion of that event to send this letter to the women religious in our archdiocese assuring them of our support and requesting that they participate fully in the Apostolic Visitation, which is currently underway:

Dear Sister,

As the Church celebrates the gift of the Consecrated Life, I wish to say a word of appreciation and congratulations to all religious. The document prepared by Sister Marian Batho and our Bicentennial committee chronicles the stunning accomplishments of our religious communities in the Archdiocese of Boston. The exhibition at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington: Women and Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America likewise underscores the invaluable contributions of religious women in the history of our country. My personal debt to the Sisters and Priests who mentored me in my vocation is enormous. I know that I speak for generations of Catholics who have benefited from the selfless service of thousands of religious sisters.

In December I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet with our Religious Superiors of Women concerning the Apostolic Visitation of Institutes of Women Religious in the United States. It was very helpful to hear the Sisters’ questions, and to share with them that Mother Mary Clare Millea has assured me that she and her staff stand ready to address any concerns.

It is my hope that all of our religious communities will participate fully in the Apostolic Visitation process, to further the spirit of communion in the Church. I also shared with the Superiors my conviction that the visitation is not a criticism of religious life, but rather an opportunity to reflect on our lives and strengthen our vocation. Having been part of seminary visitations in the United States and Latin America, I realize that there are challenges in the process, but the outcome was always helpful. The process provides us an opportunity to come together and reflect on the treasure of our religious vocation, the charism of our founder and our ministries in addition to the witness of consecrated life.

Once again, I want to thank all of our consecrated religious for making a gift of your life to Christ and His Church. Thank you for your tireless efforts to make the Kingdom more visible and more present in our world, and please know of my gratitude for your prayers and good example, of which I am a grateful beneficiary.

- – -

Next week is Ash Wednesday, which of course, begins the season of Lent.

An important Lenten initiative we are holding during this Year for Priests is The Light Is On For You.

Through this effort we are highlighting the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation by having the sacrament available throughout the archdiocese at all of our churches and chapels on Wednesday evenings and inviting people to receive the sacrament and to invite friends and family members to take advantage of this opportunity for Reconciliation.

We feel that Lent particularly is a very privileged time for people to return to the sacraments and it is our hope that this program will bear great spiritual fruits for the archdiocese.

Bishop Bob Hennessey is spearheading the initiative. Please watch this video introduction on the initiative that he recorded:

The Light Is On For You! from bostoncatholic on Vimeo.

Also, please watch the following video message from Father Bob Reed, director of CatholicTV, on this important new initiative.

YouTube:

- – -

On Thursday I took part in a press conference Cathedral High School to announce that seventh and eighth grades will now be added to the Cathedral High program in an effort to begin to prepare students sooner for the high school program.

Mary and Sister Eleanor arriving for the press conference

Greeting Michael Daley

Cathedral High’s headmaster Tom Arria spoke at the press conference, along with the principal of the new junior high Sister Eleanor Daniels, our Superintendent of Schools Mary Grassa O’Neill and Cathedral High board member Michael Daley. I also said a few words.

Cathedral’s headmaster, Tom Arria

The press conference was held in one of the school’s science labs. So, when I began my remarks I joked that I could give the media a great photo-op if I just tugged the cord of the emergency shower that was behind us — but I resisted the temptation!

Following the press conference, Tom Arria led the group on a tour of some of the facilities that will be used by the junior high. I understand that they will have an area of the school that is separate from the high school.

I was very pleased to see several members of the media there including our archdiocesan newspaper The Pilot. You can read their story on the announcement here.

- – -

Then, over the weekend, we held Vocation Office Discernment Retreats for both and St. John’s and Blessed John XXIII seminaries.

The gathering with Blessed John retreatants was a one-evening retreat held at the seminary itself, in Weston. 

With the men at Blessed John

There were about 15 older men who are interested in knowing more about the priesthood.

The St. John’s retreat ran from Friday evening through Sunday at the Connors Retreat Center in Dover.  There were 47 men in attendance there. In fact, we could not have the retreat at St. John’s because we don’t have enough rooms there any more! As I always say, it is a good problem to have.

At the Connors Retreat Center

The current seminarians also joined us, so there was an opportunity for the young men there to hear their testimony as well.

I gave a number of talks at both sites. It was an opportunity to encourage and help these young men in the process of discernment.

We’re very pleased that so many participated in the retreats.

- – -

Over the weekend I flew to Rome to participate in the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Council for the Family.

This is the first time I have participated in this pontifical council. I have, in the past, been a part of their activities in South America and Spain, but this is the first time I am attending as a member.

I am the only American cardinal on council and Cardinal George Pell from Australia and Cardinal O’Brien from Scotland are the only other English-speaking cardinals.

The president of the Council is Cardinal Antonelli, who was formerly the Archbishop of Florence.

There are, however, a number of Americans in the council including: Supreme Knight Carl Anderson and his wife Dorian; John Grabowski, a theology professor at CUA and his wife Clare; Frank and Julie LaBoda, who are the head of Retrouvaille, a program to promote healing and renewal in marriages; Dr. Timothy T. O’Donnell, the president of Christendom College, and his wife Cathy and; Professor Janet Smith, who is a moral theologian.

Carl Anderson

Cathy and Tim O’Donnell

My very good friends from Honduras, Leonardo Casco and Marta Lorena Casco, are also members.

The Plenary Assembly met for three days — Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

This year’s theme was the rights of children. Quite a bit of interesting discussions comparing how that interfaces with rights of families.

On Monday we met with the Holy Father who addressed us on this issue.

While we were waiting for the Holy Father, I snapped a few photos with my Blackberry

Here is a report on his visit with us produced by Vatican Television:

I would also like to share with you a portion of his talk to us:

Your Plenary Assembly has as its theme “The Rights of Childhood,” chosen with reference to the 20th anniversary of the Convention approved by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989. In the course of the centuries, the Church, following the example of Christ, has promoted the protection of the dignity and of the rights of minors and, in many ways, has protected them. Unfortunately, in some cases, some of its members, acting in contrast to this commitment, have violated these rights: a conduct that the Church does not cease and will not cease to deplore and condemn.

The tenderness and teaching of Jesus, who regarded children as a model to imitate to enter the Kingdom of God (cf. Matthew 18:1-6; 19:13-14), has always constituted a strong appeal to nourish profound respect and concern for them. Jesus’ harsh words against those who scandalize one of these little ones (cf. Mark 9:42) commit all to never lower the level of this respect and love. That is why the Convention on the Rights of Children was also received favorably by the Holy See, in as much as it contains positive principles on adoption, health care, education, the protection of the disabled and of little ones against violence, abandonment and sexual and labor exploitation.
In the preamble, the convention indicates the family as “the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members, especially children.” Certainly, it is precisely the family, founded on marriage between a man and a woman, which is the greatest help that can be given to children. They want to be loved by a mother and a father who love one another, and they need to dwell, grow and live together with both parents, because the maternal and paternal figure are complementary in the education of children and in the construction of their personality and their identity. Hence, it is important that everything possible is done to make them grow in a united and stable family.

To this end, it is necessary to exhort the spouses never to lose sight of the profound reasons and sacredness of the conjugal pact and to reinforce it with listening to the Word of God, prayer, constant dialogue, mutual acceptance and mutual forgiveness. A family environment that is not serene, the division of the couple and, in particular, separation with divorce do not fail to have consequences for the children, whereas supporting the family and promoting its good, its rights, its unity and stability, is the best way of protecting the rights and the genuine needs of minors.

- – -

Finally, two weeks ago, the Order of Malta gathered at the Pastoral Center for the occasion of Augustus “Gus” Grace being professed as a Knight of Justice.  The Very Rev. John McGuire, O.P., Principal Chaplain for the Order’s Subpriory of Our Lady of Lourdes was the principal celebrant for the Mass, with Msgr. Dennis Sheehan and Father Mark Hession, both Magistral Chaplains of the Order, serving as concelebrants.

Desmond McCarthy, a Knight of Obedience, participated in the profession ceremony, assisting Gus in making profession to Fra’ John Dunlap, a member of the Sovereign Council of the Order. 

Becoming a Knight of Justice, Gus professed chastity, poverty and obedience, giving witness to the Order’s history of being founded by Religious Knights more than 900 years ago and governed by professed religious ever since then.

We congratulate Gus on this honor and give thanks to God for his commitment to the work of the Church!

Until my next post,

Cardinal Seán

Hello everyone and welcome back!

Last Wednesday, I attended a St. Andrew’s Dinner at St. Sebastian’s School in Needham.

Regular readers will remember that these are the gatherings we hold periodically with young men who are open to considering a vocation to the priesthood.

This was the first time we met at St. Sebastian’s and the attendance was impressive — I would say there were about 100 young men. Of course, there were many students from St. Sebastian’s but, as always, attendees came from all over the diocese. There were also several priests and teachers accompanying them.

Two of our seminarians gave very good talks about how they found their vocation. Afterwards, there were some questions and answers and then I addressed the young men.

So far, 2,000 young men have participated in these St. Andrew’s Dinners. It is one of our primary tools of vocation outreach. We are very grateful to the parishes and schools that participate by sending us names of young men who may be discerning God’s call to the priesthood.

The venue was magnificent. St. Sebastian’s School is an extraordinary resource in the archdiocese. It is a school with a very strong Catholic ethos.

Bill Burke, the headmaster, has done a great job there. Our visit coincided with his birthday, so they had a nice birthday cake to celebrate.

The seal of the school has two arrows that symbolize the martyrdom of St. Sebastian. It also includes Tertullian’s famous phrase — Semen est sanguis Christianorum — which means “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”

   – - -

On Thursday, there was a vicariate dinner meeting at St. Mary Parish in Wrentham.

We have organized these dinners throughout the Year for Priests. They allow me to have an opportunity to spend an evening with the priests of each vicariate in an informal setting where we can get to know each other better.

The next day, we also had a vicariate pastoral planning meeting at Gate of Heaven Parish in South Boston. There we met to present the priorities of the archdiocese to the priests, and receive their input and ideas.

The presentation was made by Father David Couturier, our Director of Pastoral Planning.

- – -

On Saturday morning, we had the great joy of ordaining Daniel Moloney, Guy Sciacca and Gregory Vozzo transitional deacons. These are the men who, God willing, will be ordained to the priesthood in May.

Deacon Sciacca is a graduate of Blessed John XXIII National Seminary and Deacons Molony and Vozzo attended St. John’s Seminary.

Deacon Moloney

Deacon Sciacca

Deacon Vozzo

Of course, many of the families and friends of the ordinands were there. In my homily, I thanked them for supporting these men during their formation.

I also spoke about the martyrdom of St. Sebastian (recalling my visit to St. Sebastian School earlier in the week) and St. Stephen, as well as the ministry of the deacon Philip.

Though every ordination is a great blessing, this was certainly small class for us. It was a visible reminder of the situation the Church was in six years ago.

In fact, it is a testimony to the faith of these men that they had the courage to come forward, even at that very difficult time. As I often say, following the Gospel is the ultimate counter-cultural action.

There was a wonderful joint choir who sang

We asked people to pray for vocations, particularly during this Year for Priests.

- – -

That evening, I departed for Peru to visit our men who are serving in the missions with the Society of St. James the Apostle.

Every year, the priests of the Society meet at their central house in Lima, usually around the first week of February.

I do my best to be with them every year. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend last year so I was particularly happy to be able to be with them this year.

The St. James Society has been a great blessing for the archdiocese. Over their 52-year history, about 300 priests have been sent to minister in Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Currently, there are about 35 priests currently serving in Peru and Ecuador. Right now, only one is serving in Bolivia.

During this last year, we have sent two priests from Boston and there are more priests arriving from Ireland.

During the gathering I gave a couple of conferences on the priesthood, as we celebrate the Year for Priests.

We also had a celebration of anniversaries of priestly ordination on Candlemas Day, February 2.

In the past it was common for Boston priests to be ordained on Candlemas Day. For instance, Bishop Irwin celebrates his anniversary on Candlemas Day and some of his classmates who are priests of the St. James Society were there.

During my visit we also had a lunch with the papal nuncio in Peru and a number of the bishops who came to say how grateful they are for the presence of the St. James Society in their dioceses.

Once in Lima, we visited the Cathedral once again.

It is a very impressive structure

This is the old bishop’s palace next to the cathedral in the plaza

The seat of government is also in the main plaza which the typical Spanish design

In the cathedral, we prayed at the tomb of St. Martin de Porres and took some photos so we can share some of the cathedral’s beauty with you.

These are relics of the wooden bed of St. Martin De Porres. As you can see, people leave prayer intentions for the saint next to the tomb

This is a statue of the saint. I though it was very interesting because there is this “sombrero” on his broom, that looks like a Mariachi hat.

This is St. Rose of Lima’s altar. Around her are the other peruvian saints, San Francisco Solano, Santo Toribio de Mogrovejo and San Martin de Porres

This is the “Sala Capitular,” the chapter room with the throne, with pictures of all the archbishops

These skulls are in the crypt. They used to bury all the people down there

Those are tombs. There is a glass plate in the floor. We are looking down at the coffins below.

This is the choir and the bishop’s throne. We took the picture because the carvings are so extraordinary.

This is more of the choir stalls and you can also see the main altar

The pulpit, which is very beautiful

This is the Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows) on the andas (the float) to carry her in procession through the streets of Lima on Good Friday

An old colonial cross. Below is the tomb of Cardinal Juan Landazuri, who was the archbishop I knew when I first visited Lima. He was a Franciscan and was very beloved by the peruvians

This is where Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish conquistador who founded the city, is buried.

He was the one who gave the land for the original cathedral, which was replaced eventually by the current one to accommodate the growing Catholic population.

These are the murals in the chapel where Pizarro is buried

Pizarro’s family crest

We also visited the Dominican convent where San Martin lived, which is one block away from the cathedral.

These are the tiles in the patio of the Dominican convent, which have an interesting design. Black and white are the Dominican colors

I want to leave you with a beautiful view from the Saint James Society’s central house in Lima.

From there, at night you can see a large illuminated cross that dominates the view of the bay.

Until my next post

In Christ

Cardinal Seán.

As I do every year, I went down to Washington, D.C. last week for the March for Life.

After arriving in Washington on Thursday afternoon, I visited with Father Richard Duffield from the Birmingham Oratory in England and Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society.

With Father Duffield

They came to see me at Capuchin College, where I was staying and talk to me about Cardinal Newman’s cause of canonization. We are very proud that the miracle that was accepted in the process of beatification took place in Boston. A deacon from the archdiocese, Jack Sullivan, was cured of a debilitating back injury as he prayed to Cardinal Newman for his recovery.

The beatification will likely take place in the fall. The Holy Father has a trip planned to England in September and, hopefully, he will officiate at the ceremony during the trip. No official announcement has been made as to the details, but we hope that they will be announced soon.

Cardinal Newman was an important intellectual in the life of the Church who came out of the Anglican tradition. He was one of the founders of the Oxford Movement, an Anglo-Catholic movement that resulted in many Anglicans joining the Church, for instance the Graymoor Friars and Nuns and many other extraordinary individuals who brought with them great talent and energy to the life of the Church. Certainly, Cardinal Newman was one of the great Catholic intellectuals of the English-speaking world and his conversion to Catholicism was a very powerful testimony.

- – -

That evening, I concelebrated at the Opening Mass of the National Prayer Vigil for Life at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, which was packed with Catholics praying for our society to respect the right to life.

I’m always amazed at how many people they manage to fit into the Shrine for that celebration. There were something like 400 priests and 400 seminarians, and many deacons, religious, bishops, and cardinals.

The entrance procession lasted over a half an hour just bringing the clergy up to the altar. The presence of so many young people there — as at the march — was a great source of encouragement.

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, who is chairman of the pro-life committee for the USCCB, officiated and preached at the Mass. He gave a very beautiful and moving homily in which he spoke about various aspects of the pro-life agenda.

After the Mass, the vigil continued all night long with different Holy Hours and opportunities for confession, culminating with a Mass the next morning celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Military Archdiocese.

- – -

On Friday morning, I celebrated Mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart with the young marchers and seminarians from Boston.

A few years ago, a youth Mass was initiated for the day of the march. This youth Mass has been held at the Verizon Center, which is a large convention center in Washington. This year, they signed up participants online, but so many people tried to sign up that within the first hour, the tickets were gone.

The Center holds about 20,000. It is an extraordinary venue because they traditionally put all the seminarians down on the main arena and the young people are sitting on the benches around them. Many bishops and priests concelebrate at the Mass. It is an extraordinary event with young people. I call it tantamount to a mini World Youth Day because the young people are exposed to the witness of thousands and thousands of their peers.

However, in the last several years, the Verizon Center, as large as it is, cannot accommodate the numbers of young people that are at the march. So, last year and again this year, I have celebrated a separate Mass for the Boston group. I was told that this year there were 13 satellite Masses at the same time as the Mass at the Verizon Center to accommodate the people that wanted to go to Mass before the march.

We had our Mass at Sacred Heart Shrine, which is staffed by the Capuchin friars of my province. I ministered there for several years.

As I told the young people, I started the Haitian ministry at that church many years ago, and used to have a Spanish Mass there. Now there are three Spanish Masses, a Haitian Mass, a Vietnamese Mass and one English Mass. So, it really reflects the Catholicity of the immigrant Church in that area.

I also shared with them that at one point as a young friar, I lived in the basement of that church with about 600 people for a week (with one bathroom!) when there were the riots in the late ‘60’s. There were 700 fires in the District of Columbia. They were bringing firemen from Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Richmond, and all over to fight the fires. There were soldiers with bayonets in every corner and tanks surrounding the White House. I said it was nice to come back at peacetime.

It’s a lovely church with many memories for me, of course. We had about 100 seminarians there who study at St. John’s Seminary as well as the parishioners and schools who came with us from Boston. They filled the church.

Meanwhile, the group from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary had tickets for the Verizon Center, so they were the “Chosen Ones” to represent Boston there.

I’ve been asking all of the Catholic schools — particularly the high schools and campus ministries — to send young people to Washington precisely because it is such an extraordinary experience for them to see how many young Catholics there are who are living their faith and trying to promote the Gospel of Life and Catholic values. It’s just a wonderful experience. I’m very grateful to the schools that sent buses and I am grateful to Father Matt Williams’ office that worked so hard to organize this, and to Marianne Luthin who helped to turn the people out.

At the same time, as I reminded our people back in the archdiocese, our Deacons for Life organized vigils in almost 200 parishes.

So, even though not everyone could be present in Washington, we were all united in prayer for the same ideal.

- – -

After the Mass, I went to St. Matthew’s Cathedral where we had lunch with the Blessed John seminarians who were coming out of the Verizon Center.

As a young brother, I worked with the Hispanic ministry in the parish there. Back when I was ordained, my parish, La Capilla Latina, was actually a chapel of St. Matthew’s.

That cathedral was where I celebrated my first public Mass and where I had confessions, weddings, baptisms, and Masses every weekend in Spanish from the week after I was ordained until the week before I was ordained a bishop.

It’s a lovely church. It’s not a very big cathedral. In fact, it was not built as a cathedral but chosen to be the cathedral because of its proximity to the White House and the central part of the city. In fact, Sacred Heart was another church they had considered making the cathedral of Washington.

At the cathedral, there is a small chapel to St. Francis where I used to celebrate many weddings. Now, they’ve made that into the crypt for the archbishops. Cardinals O’Boyle and Hickey are buried there.

There’s also a very large side chapel to St. Anthony of Padua that has the Canticle of Brother’s Son by St. Francis on the wall, and the mosaic is the scene of Assisi.

I don’t know why there is such Franciscan influence in that church, but there certainly is.

Another wonderful feature of the cathedral is the chapel containing the baptismal font with a mosaic depicting St. Matthew baptizing the Ethiopian, which I said is so appropriate in Washington that has a very large Black Catholic population.

The mosaics there were done by John de Rosen, the same man who did the original mosaics in the shrine. He was a Polish immigrant and he was an extraordinary artist in mosaics. He has a mosaic of the angel touching the waters of the pool of Siloah so the water became curative, as with baptismal waters.

The baptismal font itself, the pulpit, the communion rail, and the high altar are all in-laid marble and were brought from Agra, India. They were created by the same craftsmen who built the Taj Mahal. It’s magnificent workmanship.

The Sacrament Chapel, depicts the two disciples on the road to Emmaus who are standing next to the tabernacle in amazement and they recognize the breaking of the bread.

The idea is that Christ has disappeared but the bread is still there and the bread is the Bread of Life, the Body and Blood of Christ.

Another altar where I used to have many weddings, is a relief of the scene of the marriage of Mary and Joseph based on the painting by Raphael.

Recently, they have built a new addition onto the rectory and that’s where Msgr. Ron Jameson was very gracious in hosting a luncheon with the Knights of Columbus, who always accompany and invite the seminarians from Pope John.

Msgr. Jameson was an assistant at St. Matthew’s when I was a seminarian and a young priest. Back then, he ran the worship office but now he’s there as rector of the cathedral. He’s done an extraordinary job.

He showed us pictures of Pope John Paul II’s visit that hang on the wall.

You can see me standing off to the side by the tree as the Holy Father greets people by the door of the rectory.

- – -

After a quick lunch, we went to the march. There were so many people that I couldn’t even get near the stage, so I just stayed with the Boston group.

There were a lot of people from Massachusetts Citizens for Life who were with us.

As always, you run into people from all over that you know. It’s always a very moving experience.

I’m guessing there were at least 300,000 people there. It was just massive. It took so long for the march to reach the end of it.

The march is a very important public witness to our commitment to defend the unborn in this country. This year, I suspect it is the largest event that they will have at the capital. Yet, the Washington Post did not dare to put a picture of it on the front page of the paper.

Even editorialists in the Post who commented on it, like Robert McCartney, could not help but to be impressed with the youthfulness of the crowd. It was not the old babushkas and monks who were there, but enthusiastic young Catholics — and in large numbers.

Our youngest pilgrim

We are, as always, joined by people from other faiths, particularly the Greek Orthodox, Protestant, and Jewish communities.

Nellie Gray, the organizer, has run each of these marches for the last 37 years, and I am very proud to say I have been with her at each one.

We honored her last year before the Women’s Conference here in Boston. It was a testimony to her life.

On Saturday morning, I had Mass at the Basilica with the Boston group. We had it in the Sacrament Chapel upstairs. We were packed in there. It’s not a large chapel, but we had a couple hundred participants at the Mass.

I explained to them the symbolism of the manna falling down from the altar. I spoke to them about the Gospel passage “behold thy mother… behold thy son.”

Gregory Tracy from our archdiocesan newspaper, The Pilot, traveled with us for the march and took most of the photos you see here. You can see some more photos at the National Shrine, Sacred Heart and the March for Life on The Pilot’s Facebook photo page.

And, as I mentioned in an earlier post, George Martell of The Catholic Foundation accompanied the pilgrims  on their journey and posted photos along the way.  If you haven’t had a chance to see those photos yet, you can visit the archdiocese’s Flickr page. 

- – -

On Sunday, I was back in Boston and went to MCFL’s 37^th Annual Assembly for Life at Faneuil Hall. Each year, we participate in the gathering at Faneuil Hall, which is a very historic and important landmark in Boston. We are happy to associate the cause of life with that very historic place – to call people to live our ideals and be a nation that protects the unborn. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are important ideals, but life is the first one.

There was a very moving presentation by Michael Clancy, the photographer who had taken the famous photo picture of the hand of a baby still in the womb grabbing the finger of the doctor during surgery. (You can see the photo and read more about it on his website)

Rabbi Henry Morse, of the Messianic Congregation Sha’ar Hashamayim was the master of ceremonies, and a young man, Michael Maloney, sang a pro-life song he had written for the occasion.

During the rally they presented the Thomas J. Flatley Award to Marilyn Birnie, executive director of Friends of the Unborn, which runs a crisis pregnancy center and home for pregnant, homeless young women in Quincy.

- – -

On Monday, I went to the College of the Holy Cross. The Jesuits at Holy Cross have invited me many times because there are so many students from Boston there. They also invited me because the university was founded by Bishop Fenwick, the second bishop of Boston.

Bishop Fenwick was from one of those old Catholic Maryland families. He was a fifth-generation American descendant of those Catholics who came to Maryland when Lord Baltimore established it as a Catholic colony. He joined the Jesuits and taught at Georgetown University. He was later named second Bishop of Boston when Bishop Cheverus was recalled to France to become the Cardinal Archbishop of Bordeaux.

As a Jesuit, he had great interest in education and founded the Ursuline school in Charlestown. When that was burnt down, he decided that the college he was going to found should be farther away from the city so it would be safe from the Know-Nothings. So he built it in Worcester, which was still part of the Archdiocese of Boston in those days. He named it the College of the Holy Cross to have the connection with the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.

The college has flourished and has been a very important ministry of the Jesuits in the New England Province.

He is buried there at the cemetery with the other Jesuits. We had a small service at his grave where we laid a wreath.

They gave me a print of this painting, which was originally painted for the Ursuline convent and was recently restored.

During my visit, I had a meeting with the students in which they talked to me about their experience at Holy Cross, particularly their activities in campus ministry. I was very happy to see that they have both a chapter of the Knights of Columbus and also the Catholic Daughters of America. They have also been very involved in relief for Haiti and a number of different activities.

After my conversation with the students, we had Mass in a beautiful chapel. Several hundred students attended. It was very gratifying to see how at 4 p.m. on a school day, so many students would come to Mass. I was joined by a number of Jesuits, including the provincial, Father Myles Sheehan, the president, Father Michael McFarland, and three bishops from Worcester – Bishop Robert McManus, retired Bishop Dan Reilly, and retired auxiliary Bishop George Rueger. The abbot of St. Joseph Abbey in Spencer was also with us.

The choir was outstanding. They did a beautiful meditation, which was the Angelus in Latin. It was gorgeous.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

The result of Tuesday’s special election was very surprising. It has captured the attention of the world because no one ever suspected that someone who was not a Democrat would be able to be elected to the seat the late Sen. Ted Kennedy held for nearly 50 years. Several commentators have noted that the election has significance beyond Massachusetts, specifically that it points to deeply felt anxiety about the economy, unemployment and the health care debate.

I think it is refreshing that the people of Massachusetts have voted independent of their party affiliation. In the Church we have always encouraged the people to look at issues rather than just vote party-line or vote for sectarian reasons.

We hope that Senator-elect Scott Brown will be successful in his work in Washington. He has pledged himself to represent the people of the Commonwealth well. He has my prayers and the prayers of the people of Massachusetts.

At the same time we are grateful to all the candidates who participate in the democratic process because it requires a great sacrifice from individuals and their families, yet without people willing to run for office we would not be able to have a democracy.

- – -

Last Friday, we had the first of a series of vicariate dinners with priests at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford. Just as I do frequently with the young priests – bringing the priests together for prayer, dinner, and conversation – we thought that during the Year for Priests it would be good to extend this opportunity to all priests.

We have such a large presbyterate, so to have the opportunity to interact in a more intimate, social way is a wonderful opportunity to get to know our priests better and build our priestly fraternity.

Through these dinners we hope to be able to listen to their ideas and to acknowledge the wonderful work that they do and encourage them in their priestly ministry.

- – -

On Saturday, I celebrated the funeral Mass of Father Joe McGlone, the retired pastor of Corpus Christi Parish in Newton. He had been pastor there for 32 years. There was a wonderful turnout of priests and parishioners. May he rest in peace.

- – -

Although I was unable to attend, I want to make mention of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas conference. Father Kevin O’Leary, who is their chaplain, attended it in my stead. We are very pleased they are beginning to start groups on Catholic campuses for young women.

From left to right:  Maureen Trainor, State Secretary (Bradford), Connie Pagan, 1st Vice State Regent (Framingham), Helene Shepard, CDA National Director, Linda Coletti, State Regent (Medford), Judi Shooter, 2nd Vice State Regent (Danvers) and Mary Ann Gruszecki, State Treasurer (Adams).

- – -

I celebrated Mass with the deaf community at Sacred Heart Parish in Newton on Sunday, with Sacred Heart’s pastor Father John J. Connelly and Father Hugh Macsherry, a Franciscan, who concelebrated with me. We had a full church.

Father Shawn Carey and Father Jeremy St. Martin, who both work in our deaf apostolate here in the archdiocese, were in Texas at a meeting organized by the National Catholic Office for the Deaf and so they could not participate at the Mass.

It was a wonderful experience to be a part of their liturgy, their worshipping community. Of course, for someone with hearing, one of the strangest things is not having the singing. One of the most moving things was the Prayer of the Faithful where several people in the community prayed for different intentions.

There was a young boy who prayed for the victims of Haiti, particularly those who were in the school for the deaf there who had had some contact with the school where he goes.

I was so impressed at the proficiency of the interpreters, particularly Trudy Schafer, who teaches at Northeastern University and who is an extraordinary asset to the community there.

Then, at the reception, they gave me a crucifix.

Marge Tucker, a member of the deaf Catholic community,
presented me with the crucifix.

Until they pointed it out to me, I didn’t even notice that Christ is speaking in sign language from the cross, saying “I love you.”

- – -

That evening, I had confirmation at St. Charles Parish in Woburn. There were about 75 young men and women and a standing-room-only crowd in the church. It was a beautiful choir and a very fine program. Father Tim Shea and Father Arthur MacKay are doing a wonderful job there.

- – -

On Monday, I had the first of a series of vicariate meetings in Lowell. We’re having these pastoral planning meetings in order to look at pastoral priorities for the archdiocese and to get the input of the priests. It was very well attended, despite the fact that it was a very snowy day. Lowell looked like a winter wonderland. The trees and everything were covered with snow. Many diocesan priests and Oblates of Mary Immaculate who staff several parishes in the area were there.

- – -

On Wednesday, the first contingent of volunteer medical personnel from St. Elizabeth’s Hospital went to Haiti. One of the things we are doing in the Archdiocese to help the recovery efforts is providing support through our Catholic hospitals. The hospitals have asked for volunteer doctors and nurses and about 75 have volunteered.

So, they went down – the first group of them. John Fish, a good friend of the archdiocese, was kind enough to lend us a plane to transport them to Milot, which is in the north coast of Haiti. The Sacre Coeur hospital where the team was headed is sponsored by the Order of Malta. They are trying to use that facility as a trauma center. The military has begun to transport injured people by helicopter to the hospital where they have a heliport.

The Caritas team is led by Mark Pearlmutter, MD, Chief of Emergency Medicine for Caritas Christi

There is also a Haitian priest who went down with them who is also a trained emergency worker. They had Mass before they left.

NECN was there at Hanscom Field when they left and has the following news video on them:

Please keep them and all the earthquake victims they will assist in your prayers.

Peace be with you,

Cardinal Seán

News of the human tragedy unfolding in Haiti is heartbreaking, and it calls all of us to action to help the people impacted by the earthquake.

We pray for those who have perished, for the injured, for the displaced and for relief personnel who are courageously working to assist the people of Haiti during this difficult and sad time. We ask God to bless Haiti and to be merciful in their hour of need. The destruction has devastated a poor nation of people who cry out now for the help of the world community. The Archdiocese of Boston will do its part in assisting our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

As I mentioned to the people at a meeting at the Cathedral on Wednesday, it had only been two weeks since we had gathered there with so many members of the Haitian community to mark the January 1 Haitian independence day celebration with the Mass and the “Te Deum”. We had no idea that 12 days later we would be coming together again reacting to one of the most terrible crises in the history of the Haitian people – this terrible earthquake whose epicenter was so close to the capital of Haiti, which is the most densely populated part of the country.

The initial reports are saying there are many, many casualties, many deaths, as well as wholesale destruction of neighborhoods and even historic buildings – the government buildings, the Presidential Palace, and the cathedral have been destroyed.

An aerial view of the destroyed cathedral

Among the thousands of people who have lost their lives was Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince. He was a friend of mine and his death will be a great loss to the Haitian church.

In the last couple of years, Haiti has been afflicted by very terrible tropical storms that resulted in flooding, much death, and disaster. This, on top of everything that Haiti has been through, is a very devastating blow.

The fact that there is not the kind of infrastructure or resources that would be needed to deal with the necessary rescue or relief efforts compounds the severity of the situation. We hope that, as soon as possible, measures will be taken to improve the country’s ability to adequately respond to these crises.

The meeting at the Cathedral was organized by State Representatives Marie St. Fleur and Linda Dorcena Forry. Over the course of the evening, there were probably about 2,000 people who attended. The governor, the mayor, senators, many public officials, the head of Catholic Charities, the head of the Red Cross, and many representatives of different churches and civic organizations all were part of it.

I was able to announce that we will be taking up a collection in the parishes of the archdiocese to help the Haitian people. The money we collect will be turned over to Catholic Relief Services, which has a very good track record of working with natural disasters in Haiti. In our initial contact with Catholic Relief Services, they told us they have already committed $5 million to relief efforts in Haiti.

Tiziana Dearing, head of Catholic Charities, adressed the people

It was also a time for us to pray for victims and loved ones. At this point in time, one of the most difficult problems is that of communication. So many people are anxiously waiting to hear how their families have fared through the earthquake. Some people have been able to make contact. Others have not. It may be a long time before some of them are able to get any kind of assurances. The uncertainty is a very terrible anxiety for people.

Certainly, the Haitian people have suffered very much in their history and have always done so with great courage and dignity. I know that they will suffer this latest tragedy with the same determination and ability to rebound. We just hope everyone will be able to work together closely and that the international community will be generous in coming to the aid of the Haitian people.

People had a chance to ask questions to the public officials present

We look forward to sending a team down from our Catholic hospitals. We will do whatever we can to bring relief to the people of Haiti and to their families here in Boston.

The meeting was a very moving experience and I think it was an important moment for people to be able to be together and to feel the solidarity of the whole community that was gathered to express a desire to help. People are still looking for ways to be able to do that.

Priests and ministers present joined in prayer at the end of the event

There were reports on the military ships and hospitals that are being sent there. Certainly, the rescue efforts might have to be the first priority, as well as just the basic needs – food and water for the survivors. But, we hope that there will be long term solutions to the problems that Haiti faces that will come out of this.

- – -

This week, I had hoped that this post would focus on vocations to the priesthood as each year at this time we have a very big push to invite people to vocation retreats, which are so important for the recruitment efforts of the archdiocese and to help young men in this discernment process.

Of course, Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake has taken center stage, but I still want you to read Father Dan Hennessey’s guest contribution that showcases our efforts to promote priestly vocations in the archdiocese and encourages participation in the upcoming events.

I thank Cardinal Seán for allowing me to be a guest blogger this week and for the opportunity to do so during this Vocation Awareness Week and the Year for Priests declared by Pope Benedict XVI.

My name is Father Dan Hennessey, Vocation Director for the archdiocese and part of the team that serves in the Vocation Office which includes Fr. Michael Harrington, Fr. Alonso Macias and Ms. Denise Fortin. Under the guidance of our archbishop, Cardinal Seán, and in collaboration with our priests and lay faithful we seek to promote a culture of vocations here in Boston. While the Office of Vocation is located in Braintree, our real office is the many parishes, high schools, colleges, universities, and gathering places of our archdiocese. It is in the midst of our various communities where we can encourage everyone to love and consider the ordained priesthood. I feel personally blessed to be able to serve in the Vocation Office to promote the indispensible and irreplaceable vocation of the ordained priesthood.

Right now we are blessed with 44 seminarians studying for the Archdiocese of Boston and three of those men are scheduled to be ordained to the Transitional Diaconate at the end of this month.

Our seminarians attend six different seminaries around the world:

St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, Mass.,

Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston, Mass.,

Redemptoris Mater House  of Formation in Brookline, Mass.,

Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Providence, Rhode Island,

Seminario Hispano de Santa María de Guadalupe in Mexico City

and the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Although there are seemingly innumerable ways that we can encourage everyone, particularly young people, to consider what the Lord desires of their life, I want to share with you just a few of the ways we have been trying to promote a culture of vocations in Boston with a concentration on the ordained priesthood. I list them in no particular order.

First, the Vocation Office sponsors three St. Andrew’s Dinners each year. For these gatherings, a priest, parent, youth minister, religious sister or brother, DRE or campus minister invites high school boys that they know to a great evening of prayer, witness talks, dinner and conversation with Cardinal Seán, seminarians, and the vocation directors. Since our first St Andrew’s dinner at St. Brigid Parish, South Boston, in 2004, these dinners have been a huge success.

St. Brigid Church

Over one thousand high-school boys have heard talks about the priesthood, discernment, prayer, and seminary life. They have had a chance to meet other students like them who are asking similar questions and hear firsthand experiences from seminarians about their own discernment. As we know, we don’t create our vocation, as much as we discover it. We have these dinners so the students will come closer to discovering God’s call for them and we hope (and pray) for some of them to become priests some day.

Our next St. Andrew’s Dinner is just a few weeks away on Wednesday Jan 27, and if you want to attend or know someone who might like to, contact us and we can set it up.

Another way we are helping men to consider and discern the priesthood is the Annual Vocation Discernment Retreat with Cardinal Seán.

What a blessing these retreats have been. They started over 10 years ago at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton and in recent years we added one at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston.

 Both seminaries have been very gracious in hosting us. Last year, we had to start having the retreat for the younger candidates at the Connors Family Retreat Center in Dover instead of St. John’s Seminary because the seminary has had such an increase in enrollment over the last few years.

More seminarians means less empty rooms, which means less space for a retreat. What a great problem to have! This year the retreats are on February 5-7, 2010. Call us if you think it might be a good retreat for you or someone you know.

The discernment retreats are for men who are open to learning more about the priesthood and who are invited by one of their own parish priests or one of the priests of the Vocation Office. Many of our seminarians and relatively newly ordained priests went on this retreat (sometimes more than one year) before they decided to enter the seminary. The retreats are a great idea because it helps the guys who attend to learn about the seminary, the priesthood and a life of prayer. It also gives them an opportunity to speak with seminarians about these things. Sometimes the best part of the retreat is the informal conversations that they have with each other about the joys and struggles of discerning and preparing for the priesthood. A lot of college students, especially from Boston University, MIT, Harvard and Boston College have been invited and attend this retreat. Another thing that makes the discernment retreat a success is that it is low pressure. Figuring out a call to the priesthood is not always the easiest thing to do, so we make sure that those who attend learn a lot and have a lot of time to pray, but we don’t try to get them to join as much as help them discern.

Another way we are seeking to advance a culture of vocations is to get everyone in the archdiocese to pray for vocations to the priesthood.

I have found that the more we love the Great High Priest Jesus Christ and the priesthood that he established, the more we will ask God to send us more priestly vocations. One of the reasons I think this Year for Priests is such a “shot in the arm” for the Vocation Office is that it puts such an emphasis on praying for our current priests and those who will follow in their footsteps. To celebrate this year appropriately, we have renewed in our archdiocese some strong vocational initiatives. We started back up with what was once a thriving group in the archdiocese called Serra International  –  not to be confused with the organization to preserve wildlife. That’s Sierra! Rather, Serra International is named after Blessed Junipero Serra, a missionary to the US who established the missions on the West Coast.

You could check out the Serra Boston web site for more information at www.serraboston.org, but the group basically exists in order to promote a culture of vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. The members are very devoted and have started the Spiritual Adoption of Priests and Seminarians programs as well as a number of other ways to pray for vocations.

To conclude these remarks in which I have made note of just a few of the programs we offer in the Vocation Office, I would like to mention something that Pope Benedict XVI said on the occasion of his “Pilgrimage of Hope” to New York City in April of 2008 .

He was asked by the Bishops of the United States the following question:

“The Holy Father is asked to comment on the decline in vocations despite the growing numbers of the Catholic population…”

The Holy Father responded:

“Let us be quite frank: the ability to cultivate vocations to the priesthood and the religious life is a sure sign of the health of a local Church. There is no room for complacency in this regard. God continues to call young people; it is up to all of us to encourage a generous and free response to that call. On the other hand, none of us can take this grace for granted.

In the Gospel, Jesus tells us to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send workers. He even admits that the workers are few in comparison with the abundance of the harvest (cf. Mt 9:37-38). Strange to say, I often think that prayer – the unum necessarium – is the one aspect of vocations work which we tend to forget or to undervalue!

Nor am I speaking only of prayer for vocations. Prayer itself, born in Catholic families, nurtured by programs of Christian formation, strengthened by the grace of the sacraments, is the first means by which we come to know the Lord’s will for our lives. To the extent that we teach young people to pray, and to pray well, we will be cooperating with God’s call. Programs, plans and projects have their place; but the discernment of a vocation is above all the fruit of an intimate dialogue between the Lord and his disciples. Young people, if they know how to pray, can be trusted to know what to do with God’s call.”

I put the boldiing for emphasis.

This corresponds to what I hear from so many of the young men and women with whom I speak about their calling in life. It is only when we stop and listen to the voice of God in our lives that we come to see what he desires of us. The more we come to know the Master, the better we will know His Master Plan. The closer we come to the Heart of Christ the more clearly we will know His will for us.

When I was trying to figure out if God was calling me to marriage or priesthood (I had narrowed it down that far), I asked a priest I respected what I should do. He, Fr. Murphy at St Florence in Wakefield, answered that if I wanted to know I had to ask God and the way to ask God is to pray. He then gave me a prayer card with a prayer on it. It was very helpful for me at the time so I put it here in order that it might assist others, whatever their call may be.

St. Florence Church

Prayer to the Holy Spirit:

O Holy Spirit Beloved of my Soul I adore Thee. Enlighten me, Guide me, Strengthen me, Console me. Tell me what it is I should do. Give me your holy orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know Your Will. Amen

Thank you for looking at this entry to Cardinal Seán’s Blog. Please keep our seminarians and those presently being called to the priesthood in your prayers. May the Lord bless us with many good and holy priests to serve you, His holy people.

I leave you with a great quote from St. John Vianney, the Cure of Ars and patron of priests.

“Were we to fully realize what a priest is on earth, we would die: not of fright, but of love… Without the priest, the passion and death of our Lord would be of no avail. It is the priest who continues the work of redemption on earth… What use would be a house filled with gold, were there no one to open its door? The priest holds the key to the treasures of heaven: it is he who opens the door: he is the steward of the good Lord; the administrator of his goods … Leave a parish for twenty years without a priest, and they will end by worshiping the beasts there … The priest is not a priest for himself, he is a priest for you. The Priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”

- – -

On Thursday afternoon, I visited Regina Cleri.

It is an annual visit I make in January to have Mass and dinner with the residents. I am very grateful to the staff who work there to make it a vibrant home for so many of our priests.

After the Mass, we enjoyed dinner together

- – -

We are looking forward to this year’s March For Life. Of course, there will be a very good representation from Boston and from Massachusetts.

We understand that so many young people have signed up that the Verizon Center, which seats 20,000, is not big enough, so we may be having a satellite Mass at one of the churches in Washington. But we certainly encourage our young people to come.

And for those of you who cannot be there with us, Catholic Foundation’s Manager of Digital Communications and New Media George Martell will be accompanying the Boston pilgrims throughout the three days in Washington taking photos and uploading them to http://www.flickr.com/bostoncatholic. George tells me that he will be using a mobile Internet connection that will allow his photos to be available online within 30 seconds of them being taken. Please visit that website often to see the photos live as the events in Washington unfold.

As I always say, the March for Life is the second best thing to World Youth Day. There are so many young people there for our young Catholics to feel so affirmed in their faith by the presence of thousands of their peers who are here marching for life, praying and praising God, and receiving the sacraments. It truly is a great grace for the Church in our country and I think a moment when young people really connect with their faith and with the Church community. We are very grateful to all of the parishes and schools who have been promoting trips to Washington for the March for Life. We look forward to seeing a lot of you there at the Basilica and at the march.

Until my next post,

Cardinal Seán

Happy New Year to all!

Each year since I have been ordained a priest, I have always celebrated a midnight Mass to begin the New Year. This year was no exception.

I remember that when I was in the Virgin Islands, I was amazed at how this custom was central in the spirituality of the people there. Virtually all of the churches would be packed with people going to church to end the old year and begin the new in church. It was really a very moving experience.

When I arrived in Boston, there was already a tradition of having a midnight Mass sponsored by the Pro-Life Office and the Young Adult Ministry, and I have been happy to continue that tradition.

In the past, the New Year’s Eve Mass has usually been celebrated in one of our parishes. This year, however, we thought it might be interesting to try holding it at the Cathedral, in light of the fact that there is a First Night celebration in downtown Boston, which is nearby.

We began the evening with a Holy Hour, the theme of which was “Peace.”

Sister Olga Yaqob, who is a native of Iraq and works in campus ministry at Boston University, gave a very moving testimony about her experience of war in her own country.

Just before midnight, we began the Mass that celebrated the New Year and the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God.

Father Carlos Flor of Immaculate Conception in Revere chanted the Gospel

Afterwards, there was a social to celebrate a little bit with the people.

We had a wonderful attendance this year from all over the archdiocese — I would estimate that there were about 600 people, as well as many priests who came to concelebrate. We were very pleased that so many from the Neocatechumenal Way joined us.

Between the Holy Hour and Mass, the children of the Neocatechumenal Communities sang carols for us

  Marianne Luthin of our Pro-Life Office proclaimed the Prayers of the Faithful

This  couple, Peter Spilka and Rosa Fernandez-Pizzi, had just gotten engaged earlier in the evening, so I gave them my blessing. Congratulations Peter and Rosa!

It was a very wonderful event and a good way to begin the year 2010 asking God’s blessing for peace in the world and an end to abortion in our country and our society.

- – -

The next morning, I celebrated Mass with the Haitian community in the archdiocese at the Cathedral.

When I came to Boston, I initiated a Mass to mark Haitian Independence Day, which is January 1. It is always a wonderful opportunity to gather the Haitian Catholics from our various parishes to come together in the Cathedral to mark this very important day in their life as a nation. Haiti was the first black republic in the world, having had a slave rebellion that freed them from French colonialism over 200 years ago.

This year, in addition to the beautiful choir that always sings so beautifully, the Haitian American Marching Band of Boston performed.

The band presented me with a copy of their DVD

Here is a video of one of their performances:

At the end of the very long and beautiful Mass, we chanted the “Te Deum.” It is the custom of the Haitians to begin the New Year with that beautiful hymn that is traditionally said in Catholic countries on New Year’s Day. It is a prayer from the breviary of praise and thanksgiving to God.

It was a fitting end to our celebration of the Haitian Independence Day.

- – -

Later that day, I travelled to Florida to join a group of Boston students in attending the bi-annual conference of FOCUS (the Fellowship of Catholic University Students).

With the Boston group

There were many inspiring speakers and I celebrated the closing Mass for the conference, which, I would say, was attended by about 6,000 young people.

This video gives you a sense of the spirit of the conference.

Last year, we brought FOCUS to the archdiocese to assist in campus ministry. FOCUS is a peer ministry by young adults who commit themselves to be missionaries for a year or two and to work in campus ministry throughout the country. We have four such missionaries who come to help us in Boston with campus ministry, which, of course, for us is such an important activity since we have about a quarter of a million college students.

The service they provide to the Church is truly inspiring. We know that it is making a big difference on many, many campuses throughout the country.

While we were there, we also visited the very famous National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe in Orlando.

The sculpture of Mary, Queen of the Universe

I had never been there before. It is a very beautiful church. That church was built to accommodate the thousands of tourists who go each year to Disney World.

It is truly a stunning church that was recently elevated to a minor basilica.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

You may have noticed that like last week, I am preparing my post earlier than the customary Friday. Last week, Christmas fell on a Friday, so I blogged on Thursday. Being that New Years’ Day falls on a Friday as well, I am posting today, Thursday, Dec. 31.

As you may have heard or read from the copious news coverage, the Church has proclaimed two 20^th-century pontiffs – Pope John Paul II and Pope Pius XII – eligible for beatification.

The recent announcement of Pope Pius XII being named Venerable was not without its controversy because of questions concerning Pius XII’s role during World War II. Obviously, as Catholics, we are very anxious to have good relations with the Jewish people and do not want to needlessly offend anyone.

The role of Pius XII has been held up for criticism by many. However, I believe closer scrutiny will certainly demonstrate that Pius XII was not anti-Semitic, and indeed did very, very much to protect Jewish people during the war.

I was in college when Rolf Hochhuth’s play, “The Deputy”, came to Broadway. It was a great media success. The story line is very compelling. It’s the story of a young priest working in the diplomatic corps of the Vatican in Germany who goes to Pius XII to tell him about the concentration camps and the extermination of the Jewish people. The Holy Father was portrayed as inept and backless, and one who did nothing about it. The priest goes back to Germany, pins a Star of David on his cassock, and marches into the extermination camps. It’s a very powerful play, but one that has unleashed a lot of calumnies about Pius XII and his role.

At a time when the United States and Britain were turning Jewish refugees away, the Vatican was hiding refugees in Castel Gandolfo, in Vatican City and in convents and monasteries throughout Italy. I feel the more facts are known, the more people are going to be comfortable with the Holy Father’s decision to advance the cause of canonization of Pius XII.

I was encouraged by a Dec. 28 article published in the New York Post in which Pius XII’s record was explained. It was written by Gary Krupp, a member of the Jewish community from Queens who has extensively studied the Pope’s role during World War II.

The article describes the key elements of his findings that have led him to defend the man he “once believed to be a Nazi sympathizer and an anti-Semite.”

Upon investigation he shockingly found Pope Pius XII to be a friend to the Jews and very critical of the Nazi regime.

Among his findings he mentions the following:

- In 1917, at the request of World Zionist Organization Director Nachum Sokolow, Nuncio Pacelli (who later became Pius XII) intervened with the Germans to protect the Jews of Palestine from extermination by the Ottoman Turks.

- In 1925, Pacelli arranged for Sokolow to meet with Pope Benedict XV to discuss a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

- In 1930, Pacelli supported the German bishops’ orders excommunicating anyone who joined "the Hitler Party."

- In 1938, Pacelli intervened to defeat a Polish anti-koshering law.

- In 1939, A.W. Klieforth, the US consul general based in Cologne, Germany, wrote a confidential letter to Washington reporting on the "extremeness" of Pacelli’s hatred of National Socialism and of Hitler.

- In 1947, at the United Nations, he encouraged the 17 Catholic countries out of the 33 in favor to vote for the partitioning of Palestine to create the State of Israel.

- A 1948 deposition by Gen. Karl Wolff, the SS commandant for Italy, revealed the Nazis’ wartime plan to kidnap the pope, kill countless cardinals and seize the Vatican.

You can read the article here.

Decisions that Pius XII made as far as denunciations, whether to do it publicly or behind the scenes, are things that people might criticize, but I think his intentions and the concrete help that he provided to rescue so many Jews (Some people would say that no one was responsible for rescuing as many Jews as Pius XII during the Second World War.) needs to be taken into account when making a judgment on this man’s character. So, I hope that the investigations will continue and that the Holy See will cooperate as much as possible. I think it is to the advantage of the Church for people to know the whole story about Pius XII. But, I feel confident it will be a very different image from the one projected by Hochhuth and his KGB cabal, which posed that play in order to smear Pius XII and the Catholic Church.

- – -

Now, I would like to share with you how I spent my Christmas.

On Christmas Eve, during the day, I went to Pondville Correctional Center and celebrated Mass for the prisoners with Deacon Jim Greer, who oversees our hospital and prison chaplaincies. Pondville’s chaplain, Mary Beth Robinson, was there and was very welcoming during my visit. Prison superintendent Michael Thompson was also very hospitable.

Following the Mass, we had a reception with the prisoners. Prisoners here are near the end of their sentences, and were sent to this prison to get ready for their after-prison life. The prison reflects the low security, and some of the prisoners are on work release. A number of the prisoners are involved in a program to train seeing-eye dogs, and to help people with disabilities. It was very moving to see how the prisoners take care of these puppies (They were mostly retrievers and black labs – very people-oriented dogs.) and to listen to the prisoners say how happy they were to train these dogs, knowing that the dogs were then going to be able to make such a difference in people’s lives. In fact, they even brought these dogs to Mass. It was a very beautiful liturgy.

Certainly, at Christmas time, people who are separated from their families and in those situations like in prisons and in hospitals, suffer a lot. In our faith, the meaning of Christmas and Jesus’ own deprivation at Christmas are signs of hope and consolation in people’s lives. It was good to see the volunteers there who provided the beautiful music and sang Christmas carols. Mary Beth decorated the chapel very beautifully.

- – -

Later that day, I went to Pine Street Inn to visit the homeless and serve them Christmas dinner.

This is the 25^th anniversary of Pine Street. I was accompanied by Lisa Alberghini, the director of our Planning Office for Urban Affairs, and Msgr. Frank Kelley, Pastor at Sacred Heart in Roslindale, who was one of the founders of Pine Street Inn. Also there was Sister Kathy Green who is doing a very impressive job in the women’s unit.

We were able to meet many of the volunteers. There was a group of girls from Weston who sang at the beginning, and another group that provided Christmas carols.

There were quite a number of volunteers. In one family, there was three generations – grandparents, parents, and children – all helping to serve the meals and to be with the homeless people.

Lyndia Downie, president and executive director of the inn, and her staff are doing a great job performing this vital corporal work of mercy.

Admiring the scrumptious meal with Lyndia

- – -

At midnight, I celebrated Mass at the Cathedral.

There was a concert of musica sacra and Christmas Carols before the Mass began. We began with the Christmas proclamation. It was very well-attended. The Cathedral looked very beautiful. So many people helped to decorate it and put up the crèche.

The next morning, I had the TV Mass with the Daughters of St. Paul, which aired on Channel 7, WHDH, as well as its affiliate WLVI. This year we had a full hour for the Mass.

It was a good opportunity to reach shut-ins and a lot of other people throughout New England who were able to receive the Mass. The sisters always provide the singing. CatholicTV’s General Manager Jay Fadden and his family were there participating at the Mass.

- – -

After that, I went to St. Francis House where I had a Christmas service of the Word. Then, we sang Christmas carols and blessed the food.

Once again, St. Francis and Pine Street are finding their resources are very, very taxed as the number of homeless people, and even those who are working but have no homes, are depending upon their services.

On Christmas night, I went to visit my family, and upon my return I was pleased to find a message from the Holy Father congratulating me on the occasion of my feast day.

My religious name, Seán, is the Gaelic form of John, in reference to St. John the Evangelist, whose feast day was Sunday, Dec. 27.

When I was a young religious novice, we celebrated our feast days in a very special way. The day before, we would kneel in the center of the refectory and the friars would serve the table but bring you food as you knelt there. But then, on your feast day, there was always a special desert. On the feast of St. John, we had the custom of blessing the wine because the legend was that St. John was poisoned. They put poison in his cup and when he blessed it, a snake came out.

This is the message the Holy Father wrote:

Your Eminence,

On the occasion on the Feast of St. John, I happily convey to you my cordial greetings and an assurance of my prayer that the Lord may sustain you with his strength and fulfill you with his peace. As a pledge of divine grace in the Lord Jesus, I willingly impart my apostolic blessing.

Benedict XVI

I was very touched and honored that the Holy Father remembered. I pray through the intercession of St. John that I will be able to be of some assistance to our Holy Father.

Happy New Year to you all!

My blessings,

Cardinal Seán

I am posting my weekly entry a bit earlier than normal this week to make time for my Christmas Eve and Christmas Day events – I’ll tell you all about those next week.

- – -

On Thursday afternoon, I celebrated a Mass for our staff here at the Pastoral Center to start our annual Advent Gathering for employees. It was my chance to thank them for all that they do to help the parishes and people of the archdiocese. Afterward, there was a light reception upstairs.

At the reception there was a cake for my anniversary

Also this week, my immediate staff joined me at the Cathedral for Mass, followed by an Advent, pre-Christmas dinner. We are so grateful to the wonderful staff that we have that facilitate the work of this office, which is so variegated because of the many different programs, problems and opportunities that surface here. It’s their hard work and fidelity that make it all possible. I was happy to be able to recognize that.

- – -

That evening, I went to Boston College for an event for St. Columbkille School in Brighton. Msgr. Fay, the pastor of St. Columbkille’s, Father William Lahey, the president of Boston College, Dr. Mary Grassa O’Neill, our Superintendent of Schools, and representatives from the Catholic Schools Foundation were all there for the program to recognize all the help in this wonderful alliance that has been able to save Catholic education in Brighton. As part of the celebration, the students from St. Columbkille’s sang Christmas carols. It was an excellent evening.

- – -

I closed out my evening by speaking at Theology on Tap at The Green Briar, an Irish pub in Brighton. We had a very large turnout of young people for it. The youth minister at St. Columbkille’s and Msgr. Fay were involved in the organization of the evening and helped make it a success.

I gave them a talk on the mercy of God and the Sacrament of Confession, and then we had questions and answers. I spoke for maybe an hour and had a half-hour of questions. It was a wonderful group. It was on a cold, cold night. I was happy to see that so many young people turned out.

These Theology on Tap sessions have been important moments for people to learn more about their faith and to gather with other young Catholics.

- – -

On Saturday morning, I presided at a rite for the First Neocatechumenal Community at Our Lady of the Assumption in East Boston.

The Neocatechumenal Way is a parish based post-Baptismal itinerary of Catholic formation that gradually initiates members in all aspects of Christian life, following a praxis similar to the early Church’s baptismal catechumenate.

This particular community, the first one that started in Boston, is at the step of the third “traditio,” that is the handing over of the Lord’s Prayer. In years past, they were presented with the breviary, which they pray every day, as well as the Creed.

I shared with them some thoughts about this traditio of the Our Father at Baptism and Confirmation, and the custom of arcanum in the early Church. Following that, we reflected on the meaning of the beautiful petitions in the Lord ’s Prayer.

Afterward, there was a reception and they gave me the gift of a brown cardigan

- – -

Later that afternoon, I celebrated Mass with our seminarians and their families here at Pastoral Center. The gathering was organized by the Vocations Office.

Some years we have had picnics (Of course in warmer weather!) and it’s always hard to find a date that’s good for everybody. This year, there were the warnings of snow, and many people called in at the last minute to let us know they didn’t think they would be able to make it.

So, the group wasn’t as large as it might have been but it was nice to get to meet some of the parents, brothers, and sisters of our seminarians.

- – -

On Sunday morning, I said Mass at the Cathedral for the ARISE program. Father Alejandro Lopez-Cardinale, who is the Hispanic/Latino Coordinator for RENEW International, came up from New Jersey to be at this Mass. Originally, we had hoped the Hispanic people participating in Arise at the various parishes would come together at the Cathedral, but with the snowstorm it was what you could call a skeleton crew, about 50 or 60 people there.

- – -

From the cathedral, I had a parish visitation at St. Leonard’s in the North End. There was a very nice turnout despite the snow. A lot of people in the neighborhood were able to just walk to church.

We were able to visit Father Michael Bercik, who is there at St. Christopher Friary and is very ill. I gave him a blessing and met with his family. Afterwards, the friars took us to lunch at Il Panino on Parmenter Street, one of the many Italian restaurants in the North End.

Father Tom washburn; Maria, the manager of Il Panino; and Father Claude Scrima

I had an excellent Italian meal. Thank you to Maria and all the staff who were so good to us!

- – -

On Monday I visited the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, and the seminarians sang some beautiful Christmas carols, including O Holy Night that I want to share with you.

Now a little something for those who are Santa Claus fans and who have a devotion to the Holy Father’s camauro:  Father Marino, a friend of mine from the Archdiocese of Miami, shared this photo with me, which I consider priceless. In the Christmas spirit and for the young at heart, we are including it in the blog.

- – -

Finally, as we prepare for Christmas Eve and Noche Buena, I assure you that you are all in my prayers. I want to share with you this greeting, which I gave on Vatican radio.

I wish you all a blessed and merry Christmas!

Cardinal Seán

Greetings,

I would like to begin this week’s post with some wonderful news.

On December 11, the Holy See announced the beatification of Fray Leopoldo de Alpandeire, a Capuchin lay brother who was a “quester” — his mission was to quest for alms. He did that for 50 years in the city of Granada, Spain. He died in 1956 at the age of 92. Brother Leopoldo is buried at the Capuchin church in Granada.

Unlike John Paul II, who presided over all the beatifications himself, Pope Benedict appoints the Prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes or another cardinal to preside at beatifications.

I am honored to say that the Holy See has asked me to preside at this celebration, which will be held on September 12, 2010.

As I mentioned, Fray Leopoldo was a brother quester. In the Franciscan tradition, some friars are assigned to beg for the community. Particularly in Italy, Switzerland, Spain, and Germany, this was a very important function. These friars would go out and usually they would not be begging for money, but for food for the friars.

This mission brought them into people’s homes every day. In those visits, they would teach catechism, pray with the people and visit the sick. These brother questers became very important spiritual fathers in the community because they became so close to the people. The first Capuchin saint was St. Felix of Cantalice, who was also a brother quester. He was called “Brother Deo Gratias,” because whenever people would give him something, he would say, “Deo gratias.”

I first came to know of Fray Leopoldo through Sister Manuela, a Carmelite sister of Vedruna who worked with me for many years in Washington. She is from southern Spain, near Granada. She said her family had a great devotion to him and she talked about pilgrimages to Fray Leopoldo’s tomb.

Interestingly enough, the next person to discuss Fray Leopoldo with me was the wife of Jose Saramago. Jose was at UMass-Dartmouth after he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Portugese literature and I was invited to have lunch with him there. His wife is from Granada, and has great devotion to Fray Leopoldo.

They are expecting a huge celebration because of his 50 years of going door-to-door in the city and being so close to many families. He was certainly a figure very well known and beloved to the people of Granada.

In fact, one of our priests in the archdiocese is actually from Fray Leopoldo’s very parish, Father Israel Rodriguez. He hopes to accompany me and be present at the beatification as well.

I will be very pleased to see the Archbishop of Granada, Francisco Javier Martinez, who is a very dear friend of mine. I know him from his time studying in Washington. Archbishop Martinez, who is very close to the Communion and Liberation movement, has been very active in interfaith outreach to the Muslims who are now very numerous in that part of Spain.

- – -

On the Second Sunday of Advent I celebrated Mass at The Bethany Chapel for the Cardinal’s Leadership Circle of The Catholic Foundation.

Following Mass we had a reception in the lobby of The Pastoral Center.

In addition to providing a home for the ministries and programs of the archdiocese, the lobby of our Pastoral Center provides a wonderful space for hosting special events.

Steve Colella of our Office of New Evangelization of Youth and Young Adults spoke about the important work of his office.

He thanked the members of the Leadership Circle for their gifts, which provide essential support to his ministry and all the ministries of the archdiocese.

With the Driscoll family

With Rick and Colette Crowley

It was Jack Shaughnessy’s 83rd birthday that day and I joked that this was all just a big surprise party for him!

With C. Michael Daley and Jack McKinnon, along with Damien DeVasto from our staff

This was the third annual Cardinal’s Leadership Circle Advent gathering and is a special occasion to express my appreciation to members of the Leadership Circle for their meaningful gifts, and for us together to give thanks for our blessings and welcome in the Advent season as a community.

- – -

Now, on to some details of my week.

On Thursday evening, I spoke at the 40^th anniversary celebration for our Planning Office for Urban Affairs. It was a beautiful reception, held at the Hotel Commonwealth in Kenmore Square.

In the 40 years since Cardinal Cushing founded the Planning Office, the Planning Office has been responsible for creating affordable housing for about 10,000 people. Though I imagine that many Catholics aren’t even aware of this important ministry of the Church, it has been a great service to the community.

We’re very proud of the work that is done there. Msgr. Groden and Lisa Alberghini particularly have made incredible contributions.

POUA president Lisa Alberghini, real estate developer and long-time supporter of the office Ed Fish and Msgr. Michael Groden

Ed Fish, who was also the chair of the celebration, spoke about the important work of the office …

  … and then I added a few words of my own

A great many people were present for the celebration. It was a recognition of what an impact the office’s work has made on the community.

The staff of the Planning Office

Over the years they have created many beautiful properties.

Near the Cathedral, we have the Rollins Square development, which is a beautiful building for people of mixed-income. In fact, many homeless people were given lovely apartments in that building.

- – -

On Friday, I had holy hour and dinner with a small group of our seminarians at the Cathedral. In addition to the meetings I have with all the seminarians of the archdiocese, where sometimes I give them a conference and we have a dialogue, we decided to have small groups of seminarians come to the Cathedral for holy hour, dinner, and an opportunity for more intimate conversation.

- – -

Following the Holy Hour I was able to stop in at the celebration for the eve of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was held at the Cathedral.

Bishop Emilio Allué celebrated the Mass. It was a large crowd with several hundred people there. 

They even had mariachis

- – -

Later that evening, I attended Catholic Charities’ Greater Boston Christmas Dinner.

There was a wonderful presentation, particularly about the shelters that are run by Catholic Charities and a dance presentation by Cape Verdians from the Teen Center at St. Peter’s.

Members of the Teen Center performed a dance about the Nativity

Kathleen Armstrong accepting the inaugural Richard D. Armstrong, Jr. Award on behalf of her brother, Richard D. Armstrong, Jr.

This year, we inaugurated the Richard D. Armstrong Jr. Award, which honors those who live the Catholic Charities mission through service and an ongoing commitment to caring for those in need.

- – -

On Saturday, I blessed the new parish center at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Chelmsford. The pastor, Father Paul Ritt, is doing an excellent job there.

They have built a magnificent parish center that matches the architecture and the lines of the church, and the brick, and everything. It’s a center with a lot of windows and high ceilings. It’s really a very attractive building. It opens right off the church itself.

It’s a wonderful facility.  There are meeting rooms, classrooms, and a gathering space.

Gaudete Sunday was a wonderful time to celebrate this great joy.

- – -

That evening, I went to Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden to mark the third anniversary of the ordinations of Bishops Hennessey and Dooher that took place on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Unfortunately, Bishop Dooher could not be there with us.

Besides Bishop Dooher and Bishop Hennessey, the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is also the anniversary of Bishop Elliott Thomas. I was able to speak to him in the Virgin Islands. He was marking the occasion there.

- – -

On Sunday, I went to St. Catherine of Alexandria Parish in Westford — Father Peter Quinn’s parish. I had a Mass and a reception with the people there.

It is a parish with many young families.

The children of the parish gave me a giant Christmas card

They have an extraordinary music program — a children’s choir and an adult’s choir. It was very beautiful music.

I was also impressed by the use of lights in the church. At different moments, they would light up the pulpit and light up the altar. In the beginning, everything was in darkness for the lighting of the Advent wreath. It was very beautiful.

- – -

The following day, I was in Washington, D.C. for board meetings of the Catholic University of America and the Papal Foundation.

At Catholic University, we are regrettably accepting the resignation of Father David O’Connell who, after 11 years, is moving on to other endeavors. He has been an outstanding president of the university who has done so much to further the university’s Catholic identity and vastly expand its enrollment. One of the tasks that we are beginning to discuss now is the search for a new president for CUA.

Whenever I am on the CUA campus, I meet young people from Boston who are studying there. One young man with bright red hair came up and told me he was studying political science, and I told him to come back because we need him to run for governor in Massachusetts.

The Papal Foundation raises funds for the Holy Father to be able to help in projects throughout the third world, particularly where there are great economic needs.

Projects supported by the foundation assist the poor, sick and infirm. It provides for the construction and operation of shelters and hospitals, as well as the reconstruction of religious places like churches, seminaries, and retreat houses. The foundation also provides relief to victims of natural disasters, assists refugees and migrants, and funds pro-life programs and residences for elderly priests and religious.

Cardinal Bevilaqua serves as the chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The Foundation asks bishops or superiors of religious communities to submit grant requests to the Vatican’s Secretary of State. The Holy Father and the secretary of state, in turn, review the requests, and then submit the final grant requests to the Papal Foundation.

- – -

Unfortunately, the board meeting at the university coincided with the episcopal ordination of Bishop Bob Evans, the new auxiliary bishop of Providence.

I was not able to attend but many of the bishops and priests from Boston were there.

I understand it was an extraordinary celebration. The choir at the Cathedral in Providence is internationally known, and one of its great voices is Terry Donilon, our Secretary for Communications.

- – -

Finally, as we approach Christmas day, I would like to remind you of the importance of the Christmas collection that will be taken at all Masses on Christmas eve and Christmas day for the benefit of the medical and retirement needs of the priests. It is one of the most meaningful ways we can show our gratitude for their service. We have launched a new website to support this collection, www.CareForSeniorPriests.org, which includes a video Christmas message that I would like you to watch.

Please join me in contributing to the collection, and be assured of my deep appreciation for your generosity and your kindness.

Cardinal Seán

Greetings,

Our leaders in the House of Representatives courageously passed the Stupak Amendment in their version of the health care bill, but the Nelson-Hatch-Casey Amendment did not prevail in the Senate’s version of the legislation. Of course, that was a great disappointment to us.

We still hope and pray that some accommodation can be reached so that abortions will not receive taxpayer funding and there will be adequate conscience protection. This is of paramount importance to the Church. I ask you all to pray very hard and continue to contact your senators.

- – -

In spite of a minor illness last week, I was able to maintain a busy schedule.

On Friday, I visited with Cistercian Abbot Matthew Nguyen Ba Linh from the Abbey of Our Lady of Divine Grace in Vung Tau City, Vietnam. We have two Cistercian seminarians from Vietnam who are studying at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary in Weston. Their superior came to visit them.

With Abbot Matthew Nguyen Ba Linh (standing next to me); Father Peter Dat Vu, his secretary;  and Father Leo Manglaviti, the Director of Pre-Theology at Blessed John XXIII

He is visiting the United States in an effort to raise funds to build an abbey in Vietnam.

He showed me these photos of the church there, the monks at prayer and also a plan of the extension they are hoping to be able to build to accommodate their many vocations.

It’s encouraging to see that the contemplative life is flourishing, even in a Communist country like Vietnam. We know that there are many vocations there, and we are happy to be educating some of their men. I was very impressed by the size and the youthfulness of the community. We certainly are anxious to encourage them in their endeavors to establish full monastic life in Vietnam.

- – -

That evening, I was the main speaker at the fifth and final event of the God of This City Tour that was held at the Cathedral. The tour was a five-night event held in various parishes in each region of our archdiocese.

Each evening offered our young people the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confession, take part in Eucharistic Adoration, and praise God through prayer and contemporary worship music. The tour was organized by LIFT Ministries, who did a phenomenal job with it.

There were 500 or 600 young people there for the final night. It was an evening of song, reflection, and adoration with an Advent theme. There was great enthusiasm.

I addressed them for about an hour and spoke about St. John the Baptist and being a witness in the Church.

It was a wonderfully successful program at all the parishes they visited over the course of the week.

- – -

Unfortunately on Saturday, due to a cold, I was confined to quarters.

We had some important events that day that Bishop Hennessey stood in for me, including the Women Affirming Life Mass and breakfast, the 50^th anniversary of Incarnation Parish in Melrose, and St. John’s Seminary’s 125^th anniversary gala celebration, which featured Christmas lessons and carols and a special recognition of Archbishop Al Hughes, a former rector there.

Though I wasn’t able to attend I wanted to share a couple photos of the seminary celebration with you:

- – -

On Sunday, I celebrated a Mass at Northeastern University. The president, Dr. Joseph Aoun, was represented by the CFO of Northeastern, Jack McCarthy, who is on our finance council.

Members of the Brotherhood of Hope, including Father Phillip Merdinger, were there.

Following the Mass, there was a reception and I had a chance to take a tour of the Catholic Center.

There are many music majors from neighboring universities who are part of the music program. It was absolutely stunning. The Mass was very well attended. They have a very vibrant student ministry there.

- – -

On Monday I had the opportunity to greet the pastors who reached their goal in this year’s Annual Catholic Appeal at the Pastoral Center. For us, the Annual Appeal is the lifeline for our central administration, ministries, and works of mercy.

This was a recognition of the pastors who have gone beyond goal to show our gratitude for their outstanding efforts on the part of this very crucial endeavor for the archdiocese.

- – -

Tuesday was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. I went to the Montrose School in Medfield. They moved there recently, after being located at St. Patrick’s in Natick for many years.

They have built a new school by taking over an old women’s hat factory. They have a bright, lovely facility with a very nice chapel.

It is an all-girls school. Many of the girls’ parents and grandparents attended. The head of school, Dr. Karen Bohlin, is a numerary of Opus Dei. Many people from Opus Dei are involved in this private, Catholic school.

It is not exclusively for Opus Dei members, but they’re the ones who have been the motor force in establishing the school. In the chapel, a portrait of St. Josemaria Escriva, their founder, is displayed.

They have an extraordinary choir. They did a number of beautiful Latin motifs. Then they did some songs afterwards as part of the reception.

They presented me with a gift of a sweatshirt

- – -

Steve Perla and Father Joseph Corpora, CSC, and Bruce Kaneb from ACE Consulting. This is part of The University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education program for recruiting Hispanics for Catholic schools. They wanted to speak to me about the program. We did have a campaign within the last few months here in Boston where 60 Hispanic students were recruited for our Catholic schools. Notre Dame is trying to promote this nationwide.

- – -

On Wednesday, it had been my hope to attend the Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral that Archbishop Dolan was celebrating to mark the 30^th anniversary memorial for Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Unfortunately, I wasn’t feeling well enough to make the trip.

Archbishop Sheen’s cause for canonization has been introduced. It was my privilege to have served Mass for him many times when I was a child. He would come to our parish every year because our pastor, Msgr. Charlie McBride, had been his assistant in the Propagation of the Faith, and they were very close friends.

It was always an important event in the life of the parish when Bishop Sheen arrived. The other Masses would be completely empty and it would be standing room only at the Mass he celebrated during the week. There were three daily Masses but the people would all find out which Mass Bishop Sheen was going to say. Bishop Sheen would preach every day, which in those days was not done. As many of you may remember, in the old liturgy, the priests used to preach only on Sundays. So, it was almost like having a mission in the parish every time that he would visit.

He was just such an extraordinary individual, and the work that he did on behalf of the missions as well as evangelization in the United States was astonishing. Thousands of people entered the Church through him. His television program did more to dispel anti-Catholicism than any other effort that the Church has ever been able to muster.

He is certainly a very, very important figure in the history of American Catholicism. He was a man who had such great love for the Church, for the priesthood, and for the missions. He was a man of extraordinary piety and it was my privilege to have had an opportunity to know him personally and now to help in his cause of canonization as a member of the Episcopal Board of Advisors of The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, which is the official promoter of the Cause.

In 1975, I invited him to speak to the priests in Washington at a seminar I organized on preaching social justice. The two speakers that I got for the seminar where then-Father Avery Dulles and Bishop Sheen. We must have had 500 priests come for it and we filled Harke Theater.

Both of them gave extraordinary talks, but of course, Bishop Sheen has sort of a dramatic way of speaking. The priests must have given him something like a ten-minute standing ovation. That was the last time I saw him alive.

He certainly was a bigger than life figure in the history of the Church in the United States!

- Cardinal Seán

If you stopped by to read last week’s blog, you know that I posted that entry a couple days earlier than usual. Like many of you, I traveled to be with my family for Thanksgiving, which is always a very special event in our lives as Americans.

It was a great joy to be able to be with my family in Florida this year.

On Thanksgiving morning, we celebrated Mass for the family at the local parish, St. Richard’s. Afterwards, about 50 of us gathered at my cousin’s house — the Mulligans — for Thanksgiving dinner. Of course, we had turkey with all the trimmings, and many, many pies! It certainly was a splendid evening and a wonderful chance to see everybody at once.

The following day, they took me to a magnificent concert in Fort Lauderdale given by Andrea Bocelli. He was accompanied by an orchestra from Miami and sang with a choir and a couple of other vocalists during the show, which was in two parts. The first part was classical music and the second part was a Christmas selection.

What a powerful and beautiful voice Andrea Bocelli has! The audience wouldn’t let him go — he came back and gave four encores.

I understand that he began his singing career in the parish choir, and he is a devout Catholic. It was a great joy to be able to see him personally and to hear him.

Andrea Bocelli performing for the pope in 2005

- – -

By Sunday, I was back in Boston for a celebration of the Feast of St. Andrew with our Greek Orthodox brothers and sisters. Each year, we have an exchange of delegations on the Patronal Feast of each Church, which mimics what the Holy Father and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople do.

The icon of St. Andrew being carried in procession

The five loaves are a symbol of St. Andrew. St. Andrew was the one who told Jesus “Look there is a boy here with five loaves and two fish…” at the miraculous feeding of the 5,000

This year, Cardinal Kasper was in Constantinople representing the Holy Father on the feast of St. Andrew; then, for the Feast of St. Peter, either the Ecumenical Patriarch or his representative will be in Rome.

Here, on the Feast of St. Peter, Metropolitan Methodios always comes to one of our churches. This year, on the eve of the Feast of St. Andrew, we went for vespers at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis.

We were able to be with Father Edward O’Flaherty, Father David Michael, and Dr. Vito Nicastro, of the archdiocese’s Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, who were also representing us. There was also Professor Vives, who has taught in the Greek Orthodox seminary for many, many years.

Their vespers services are very moving. They are much like ours, but with longer readings and litanies. They also sing the Kyrie Eleison many, many times, which reminds me of the days when that prayer was always part of our Mass.

Here is a brief video showing the procession, and you can hear some of the signing:

- – -

On Monday, I hosted a meeting with members of our Catholic Schools Office and the presidents of the Catholic colleges in the archdiocese.

As I have mentioned in other posts, we have been meeting periodically on  how we can coordinate the efforts to strengthen Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the archdiocese.

- – -

The following day, I met with the superiors of local religious communities at the Pastoral Center to discuss the apostolic visitation.

My intention of bringing them together was, first of all, to assure the sisters that the Church is very grateful for all of the wonderful work of our religious women. They have a glorious history in the United States that has been essential to establishing Catholic education, Catholic health care, and so many other ministries.

Of course, I was also anxious to hear their reaction as to how the visitation was going.

I encouraged them to participate in and cooperate with the visitations and assured them that the sister in charge of the visitations, Mother Mary Clare Millea, is an extraordinary religious woman who will try to be extremely helpful to the sisters.

Mother Clare

During our meeting, I shared with them some of my experiences as an apostolic visitator to seminaries. There was a certain nervousness about the seminary visitation at the beginning, but it turned out to be very positive and ultimately strengthened our seminaries.

In this case as well, the desired outcome is a study that will help us to strengthen religious life in the United States. There has been such a decline in numbers in the last several decades that, of course, the Holy See is deeply concerned.

I assured the sisters that our participation in the visitation is something that will be good for the Church in America and that we should not hesitate to cooperate.

For their part, some of the sisters shared with me that the instrument itself was difficult to complete, and I will certainly share that with Sister Clare. However, overall, I think it was a very good meeting and that the sisters had a chance to express their opinions and ask questions.

Hopefully, we all left with a greater appreciation of the implications of this visitation.

- – -

On Monday evening, I attended a gathering of recently ordained priests at St. John the Baptist Parish in Quincy.

Several times a year I gather with the priests who have been ordained within the last five years for a Holy Hour followed by a meal and conversation about priestly life. I have always done this in the different dioceses where I have been bishop. These types of gatherings are very important because, statistically, it has been demonstrated that those first five years are difficult for priests. They must learn a new identity and sometimes there have been priests who have abandoned the ministry during this period.

These kinds of programs, which support them and bring them together with their bishop, are very valuable and I am very pleased that in Boston we have not lost one young priest.

This month, our Director of Vocations, Father Dan Hennessey, joined us as we discussed how priests can be involved in vocation promotion, particularly during this Year for Priests. All of the studies indicate that one of the most important factors in discernment is when a priest suggests to a young man that he consider the possibility of a vocation. I think some priests don’t realize the impact that can have.

It was a very good exchange. It is always wonderful to have the time with our newly ordained priests.

- – -

On Wednesday, I attended the Day of Sanctification for priests held at the Campion Center in Weston. This day of recollection and sanctification for priests was one of the activities in the Year for Priests.

The auxiliary bishops periodically organize days of recollection. This one, though, was organized by Father Bill Kelly and the Office of Clergy Support and Ongoing Formation.

There were two conferences focusing on the priesthood — one given by Father Peter Grover, an Oblate of the Virgin Mary, and another given by me. We had adoration and confessions during the course of the day.

In all, there was a very fine response with a cross-section of about 50 priests participating. It is always good when we can gather as a presbyterate, particularly in this Year for Priests.

- – -

Now that the Thanksgiving holiday is behind us, the Church enters into the new Liturgical Year with the season of Advent, in which we are called to prepare for the birth of our Lord Jesus. Please be assured of my prayers for you during this Advent season!

Cardinal Seán

As I’m sure you have noticed, I have prepared this week’s post a bit earlier than usual because of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Each year we, as a country, dedicate this day to a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving to God for our freedom, our prosperity, our families, and the many blessings that we so often take for granted.

This Thanksgiving, I will raise up a prayer of thanksgiving for all of you, my friends who read this blog, and pray that the Lord will bless you and your loved ones abundantly as we turn to him with grateful hearts.

- – -

At the conclusion of the bishops’ annual meeting last Thursday, we were invited to participate in a Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to mark the 50^th anniversary of the dedication of the church.

The lower church, the crypt, was built in the early 1900’s but it wasn’t until Cardinal O’Boyle became the Archbishop of Washington that there was really impetus to finish the shrine. The upper church was built by a Boston architectural firm, Maginnis & Walsh.

Archbishop Wuerl, who is the chairman of the board of directors, was the principal celebrant

Bishop Michael Bransfield, who is Bishop of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia, was the homilist

Bishop Bransfield had been the director of the shrine for over 20 years. His homily shared many of the different aspects of the history of this wonderful church.

One of the things that he pointed was that the most visited chapel in this shrine is the Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I wasn’t aware of it, but he said the chapel had been put there by Cardinal Cushing.

The Mass was very well attended. Many of us have great sentimental attachment to the shrine. It was there that I received tonsure, minor orders and was ordained a deacon.

It was a place where, during the 20 years that I worked in Washington, we would have many Marian celebrations to celebrate the patronal feasts of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Our Lady of Fatima, Mexico, and El Salvador.

It is a great monument to the faith of the United States and reflects the fact that we are an immigrant Church. It contains so many chapels that betoken devotions and piety of various immigrants who came from all parts of the world – Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America – and have made their home in this country.

Our Lady of Altotting, from Germany

Our Lady of Camarin, from Guam

Our Lady of China

This certainly is a very special place and it was wonderful to be able to celebrate the 50^th anniversary with so many bishops, priests, and people in the parish.

- – -

That evening, I had dinner in the home of Manela and Tony Diaz with three of our Cuban bishops in the United States – Bishop Octavio Cisneros, Auxiliary Bishop of Brooklyn, Bishop Felipe Estévez, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami, and Bishop Fernando Isern, the new Bishop of Pueblo, Colorado.

We had a wonderful evening during which we were able to talk about the situation of the Church in Cuba. Manela is also very active in supporting Caritas in Cuba.

- – -

The following day, I returned to Boston and met with the Joint International Methodist-Catholic Dialogue Commission which had been meeting for several days at the Connors Family Retreat Center in Dover. They came for a courtesy visit and to share with me the progress that they had made.

The commission is the official international Methodist-Catholic dialogue that was established by the Vatican to have theological conversations with the Methodists. It is headed by an Australian Catholic bishop.

We had a very interesting meeting. They pointed out that, while there is great awareness of Orthodox-Catholic dialogue and the Anglican-Catholic dialogue, people are largely unaware that this dialogue has been going on for many years.

I was familiar with the Methodist-Catholic dialogue because my friend, Cardinal Peter Turkson, was a part of this dialogue years ago.

- – -

On Friday night, I attended the alumni event at St. John’s Seminary, which included vespers and a dinner.

There were about 150 alumni, quite a spectrum of young and old. The oldest priest there was Father McManus, who was ordained in 1942, which was before I was born!

Father Kennedy and the seminarians did a wonderful job of organizing a beautiful vespers service and the program. Greg Vozzo, one of the seminarians, spoke very beautifully.

They gave me a rocking chair for my silver anniversary.

I’ve certainly gotten many nice things for my 25^th anniversary, lots of gifts and cards for which I am very grateful, but I think it has to come to an end soon!

- – -

On Saturday, I returned to St. John’s for a St. Andrew’s gathering. There was an 11 a.m. Mass with the New England vocation directors and the young men that they were bringing to visit the seminary.

Then there was a lunch and conversation, and after that they took a tour of the seminary.

- – -

That evening, we had the Healy Award Dinner at the Lantana. There were about 400 people there. It was a lovely event.

Lorna DesRoses, along with Linda Russo, did a wonderful job of organizing the event.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Camille Brown, from Providence, who has a master’s degree from St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia and a doctorate in education from Boston College.

She gave a beautiful talk on catechesis and passing on the faith.

There were two awards given that night. The Bishop Healy Award was given to Father Russell Best, and the Ruffin Award was given to Sister Mary Hart.

Presenting the Healy Award to Father Best

At the event I said they both lived up to their names. Sister Mary has a great “heart” and Father Russell is the “best”!

They both gave wonderful talks. Sister Mary, who is elderly, was very funny and feisty. People enjoyed her very much.

With Sister Mary

At the head table was the new mayor of Newton, who is African-American and a Catholic. He and his wife have a two year old daughter and are long-time members of Sacred Heart Parish. He had previously served in Iraq with the military.

- – -

On Sunday morning, I went to St. Cecilia Parish in Ashland to celebrate the parish’s 125^th anniversary with the community there. It was the feast of Christ the King and the feast of St. Cecilia.

I complimented them on their choir. The children led a “Pie Jesu” and other very difficult pieces. They did them to perfection. It was very moving. I told them St. Cecilia would have been proud. They have a magnificent adult and children’s choir.

It’s a wonderful active parish. Father Paul Cornell has done a fine job there.

At the offertory, they brought up different symbols of the faith life of that community for 125 years.

The former pastor, Father Mulligan, was there. He received a great standing ovation. He was very encouraged by that.

The people are very warm and enthusiastic. It was a lovely celebration.

- – -

Following the Mass, I came back to Boston to meet with Bishop Nicanor Peña, the bishop of Higüey, in the Dominican Republic.

He is an old friend of mine who was in Boston visiting people in the Dominican community here.

The Dominican national shrine, Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, is in his diocese.

The shrine is a very modern structure. There was some sort of competition to build it. I think it was a French architect whose plan was chosen. I love the image of Our Lady of la Altagracia. It’s a very “Christmassy” image because St. Joseph is with the Holy Family.

I told the bishop that once, when I was bishop in the West Indies, I was decorated by the president of Santo Domingo. They put a helicopter at our disposal to take me to the shrine. Cardinal Baum was with me as well as Father Lorenzo Albacete. We got there without problem but on our way home, Father Lorenzo — who in a former incarnation had his doctorate in aerospace science — pointed out to the pilot that we were running out of fuel. Of course, we had to make an emergency landing and we set down in a field.

The campesinos were so nice to us. They brought us coffee and things like that. So, I complimented the bishop on the hospitality of his people!

I very much enjoyed sharing my adventures with Bishop Nicanor and recounting them to him. I’ve tried to stay off of helicopters ever since then.

- – -

On Sunday afternoon, we had the second annual Cheverus Awards presentation at the Cathedral. This award was initiated as part of our bicentennial program to recognize the longstanding volunteers and workers in the life of the Church.  Each year we ask one-third of the parishes for nominations.

The awards were presented in the context of a vesper service.

Some parishes brought busloads of parishioners to accompany their awardee. There were many, many priests and religious in the diocese there. It was very impressive to see the Cathedral almost completely filled.

I envisioned this as being a very beautiful tradition — a way of saying thank you.

Holding it on Christ the King Sunday each year puts it near the Thanksgiving holiday. We’re certainly thankful to God for all of the wonderful people whose quiet and unassuming but faithful service to the community of faith make it possible for us to carry on the mission of the Church here in our archdiocese.

Afterward, there was a light reception across the way at Cathedral High School.

- – -

On Monday, I met with Father Red Raux, one of the many Boston priests who currently serve as chaplains in our military. He was home and I was more than happy to talk with him. He shared with me some of his experiences as a military chaplain.

- – -

Following my meeting with Father Raux, I met the family of one of our staff members who works at the Pastoral Center — Sister Mary Corripio. She has done an outstanding job for the archdiocese working with the various ethnic groups. Sister Mary made her final profession on Saturday as a Sister of Notre Dame in Ipswich. For the occasion, some of her family were here visiting, so they stopped by the Pastoral Center.

Her family is from Cuba and they live in Louisiana. In fact, her father was a classmate of Tony Diaz, in whose house I had been with the Cuban bishops the week before. Small world!

Of course, Sister Mary’s family is very proud of her and strongly supported her vocation. It was wonderful to have an opportunity to congratulate them personally.

- – -

On Tuesday, I enjoyed a visit with the Israeli ambassador to the United States, accompanied by the consul general for New England, Nancy Kauffman, Father O’Flaherty, Father David Michael, and Vito Nicastro, who works in the Ecumenical Affairs office.

It was just a social visit but we did have a chance to discuss the situation in Israel with the Palestinians. The ambassador was very interested in letting us know what progress has been made and what some of the obstacles are to the peace process. He also expressed some of the great concerns the Israeli government has in regard to Iran and nuclear weapons.

He also talked about the Christians in the Holy Land, and how they’ve been a very important bridge to the hopes that the Church will be able to encourage people not to leave.

He told a very interesting personal story. He grew up in New Jersey in a very Catholic neighborhood. The next door neighbors were very close to him and the woman came down with esophageal cancer.

For some reason, they called him up because he was in Jerusalem. He went and consulted with a rabbi who often went to different monasteries to pray. The rabbi sent him to a Melkite Catholic monastery that was built in the desert in the 4th century named St. John the Baptist.

The monks offered the Mass for the woman, and gave him some oil they had burned in the sanctuary and instructed him to tell the woman to put it on her throat. She went to the doctor the next week and she was cured.

He told me he has great faith in the power of prayer.

- – -

Then, I met with the Mexican consul general to New England, Dr. Fernando Estrada.

Among his many assignments over his career, he had been the ambassador to the Holy See from Mexico between 2001 and 2003 and he would like to have some connection with the Church here.

During our visit we spoke about immigration problems and the situation in Mexico.

- – -

Once again, let me wish you a blessed and happy Thanksgiving.  May all of you who are travelling have safe journeys!

Cardinal Seán

This week, as many of you may know, I attended the fall general meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. Among the highlights of the meeting were approval of a pastoral letter on marriage, a study on the status of the religious life in the United States, and a report analyzing the clergy abuse crisis.

Before I left, however, I had the pleasure of visiting the South Area Solomon Schechter Day School in Norwood to accept an award on behalf of the late Pope John Paul II.

The Righteous Among the Nations Award was presented by the SASSDS and the Israel Arbeiter Gallery of Understanding. It recognized the late pope for his work in promoting relations between the Christian and Jewish communities.

The evening began with a reception where I was happy to see many members of the local Jewish community.  Israel Arbeiter, president of the American Association of Jewish Holocaust Survivors of Greater Boston, showed me the gallery named in his honor, which depicts his personal journey of survival and the stories of the persecution of Jewish people that took place in Europe during the Holocaust.

Nadav Tamir, the Consul General of Israel to New England, spoke during the program.

I gave the keynote address talking about the Holocaust and the Holy Father, as well as the Kristallnacht, since its anniversary was the same week as the celebration.

One of the many significant moments of the evening was the musical program presented by the children of St. Catherine of Siena School in Norwood and Solomon Schechter. It was very nice.

It was a very beautiful ceremony and I was happy to see many members of both the Catholic and Jewish communities in attendance.

- – -

On Saturday, I attended a Mass at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, D.C. marking my 25^th anniversary as a bishop with the Spanish and Haitian communities there.

Back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, I had the Masses in that parish for the Hispanics and the Haitians. They are still a very large portion of the parish along with a very vibrant Vietnamese community.

Just before I left Washington, Cardinal Hickey had assigned Sacred Heart to the Capuchin Friars. So they asked if I would celebrate this Mass to mark not only my 25^th anniversary as a bishop, but also the 25^th year that the Capuchins have been in that parish.

It’s a very interesting parish, with several Masses in Spanish, a Haitian Creole Mass, and a Vietnamese Mass, besides the English Mass. There’s a very vibrant community there, and a wonderful school.

The headquarters of the Centro Catolico, where I had worked for many years in Washington, are now in what was the convent of the school. At that time, though, our headquarters were down the street.

I was honored that Cardinal McCarrick was able to join us along with many old friends from my time in Washington including many whom I had married, baptized, given First Communion and worked with in different social programs as well as members of the Agrupacion Catolica (many of whom volunteered at the Centro Catolico) and friars from Capuchin College.

Afterwards, they had food in the parish hall with Mariachis.

Some of the friars came from Puerto Rico, some of whom I had ordained priests. They presented me with a lovely plaque of Our Lady of Providence, the patroness of Puerto Rico.

It was a lovely celebration.

- – -

From Monday through Wednesday I attended the U.S. Bishops’ meeting in Baltimore.

At the meeting we approved the pastoral letter Marriage: Love and Life in the Divine Plan.

It was part of the Marriage Initiative that the USCCB has been working on for several years now.

Indeed, one of the five priorities that was set for the bishops’ conference was marriage and the family. I think this letter will be an important foundational document that will be quite helpful to us going forward.

Marriage is the centerpiece of God’s plan for humanity, so it is crucial for human society as well as for the Church. As we know, marriage is constantly under attack. The divorce mentality, cohabitation, and now the redefinition of marriage have been three very strong blows against the institution of marriage. In light of that reality, this pastoral letter is particularly important. I am pleased it was approved and we will work very hard to promote it in the Archdiocese of Boston.

- – -

As the chairman of the Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations Committee I introduced Brother Paul Bednarczyk, CSC, the executive director of the National Religious Vocation Conference. Along with the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), they recently sponsored a study on religious life.

The study stressed the fact that, although most religious institutions in the United States are experiencing diminishing numbers, there are still young people who are coming to religious life. Seventy-eight percent of the men’s communities and 66 percent of the women’s communities have at least one candidate in initial formation.

Brother Paul

They gave some further information about the characteristics of these new members:

- The average age for entrance is 30.

- 21 percent of those in initial formation are Hispanic, 14 percent are Asian, and 6 percent are African-American. (This is quite a change from the past.)

- 9 in 10 were raised as Catholic (Meaning, of course, that 10 percent of them were received into the Church as adults.)

- Almost 75 percent of them attended a Catholic school. (This, I think, underlies the importance of Catholic education for the formation of leaders in our Church.)

- More than two-thirds of them had considered religious life by the time they were 21.

The most successful institutes, in terms of attracting and retaining new members are those that follow a more traditional style of religious life where the members live together in community, participate in daily Eucharist, pray the divine office, and engage in devotional practices together. Communities whose members wear a religious habit, work together in a common apostolate, and are explicit about their fidelity to the Church and the teachings of the Magisterium are the most successful communities — both men’s and women’s — in recruiting young candidates.

The best practices that Brother Paul and the study tried to promote were to instill a culture of vocations and to involve the membership and leadership in a concerted vocations promotion effort. They also underscored the importance of having a full-time vocation director, and talked about the importance of using the media, especially the internet. They also talked about the importance of discernment programs and opportunities for potential candidates to meet members of the religious community.

It was a very positive and hope-filled report on religious life at a time when the religious communities in the United States are being visited. I think it’s a hopeful sign that the Church is very concerned about promoting religious life. I was very happy to make that presentation to the Bishops Conference.

You can read much more about the study, including the text of Brother Paul’s address and a link to a video of the presentation, at the NRVC web site.

- – -

The conference also received additional reports from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice regarding the causes and context of the sexual abuse crisis.

The Bishops Conference engaged this very prestigious institution to perform studies to help us understand how the sexual abuse crisis arose in the Church. Previously, they have presented interim reports on the dimensions of the problems, and now they are the studying causes and context.

I think it was an interesting report that was, in some ways, encouraging. The study indicates that the period of the 1970’s and early 1980’s was a period of a great deal of social turmoil in the country during which there was a particularly high incidence of sexual abuse of children. However, the study also indicates how there was a very sharp drop in sexual abuse in Church institutions.

Some people have said that since the reporting comes so much later it is hard to tell whether the abuse is still going on. But all of the reporting that has come in always returns to the same years. The sociologists are telling us that that is an indication that, indeed, the curve of high incidents in the ‘70’s and early ‘80’s is behind us.

The measures that have been taken by the Church have done much to eliminate the problems in Church institutions. At a time when sexual abuse in other institutions has been on the rise, the Church has brought it under control by intensive screening, massive education, and very careful reporting. I think that’s a very important fact.

This study has been given funds by the Bishops Conference, but also by the Justice Department and other institutions trying to better understand the whole phenomenon of sexual abuse, not just in the Church but in society.

The report certainly indicated that, during its height when these problems had arisen, there was very little awareness in the Church, and also in society in general, as to the profound damage that was done to the victims. The Church, as well as others in society, did neglect to focus on that.

I was comforted by the fact that, in the last several years, and particularly after the Dallas document was approved in 2002, there has been marked improvement in the way the Church has dealt with this. I think the Church has made a very positive contribution to other institutions that can learn from steps that we have taken to ensure the safety of our children.

- – -

Another highlight of the week was the dinner organized by the Archdiocese of the Military Services. Archbishop Timothy Broglio sponsors the dinner for the bishops every year. Because our archdiocese has so many chaplains and priests working in the military, I always try to attend.

The Military Ordinariate’s vocation director, Father John McLaughlin, who is from Boston, and Father Redmond Raux, also a Boston priest, were there. There were a number of testimonies given by members of the military and their families about the importance of the chaplains in their lives.

Then, a 150-member Catholic choir consisting of midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, sang for us. It was very moving.

With the midshipmen

- – -

I also want to mention that on Monday evening we were treated to a show about St. John Vianney presented by St. Luke’s Productions. In fact, I had written a letter to the bishops inviting them to it.

It was a beautiful presentation about the life of the Curé of Ars performed by Leonardo Defilipis who also starred in the 2004 movie Therese, which some of you may be familiar with.

Here’s a video from the production’s web site http://www.vianneydrama.com which can give a sense of the play.

Until next week,

- Cardinal Seán

As you may know, last week the House of Representatives passed its version of the health care reform bill that included the Stupak amendment, which prevents the use of taxpayer money to support abortion.

We were very pleased that the amendment was passed by such a large margin in the House. I think it shows that the Representatives are aware that the American people, as a whole, do not want the government to be funding abortions. We’re very grateful for all the pastors and the parishioners who contacted legislators to share with them our concerns.

Of course, in addition to the taxpayer funding of abortions, other issues of concern for Catholics are the protection of conscience rights for health care workers and care for the immigrants and the poor.

We will be very interested in how the Senate bill addresses all these issues.

Please continue to join me in praying that our government leaders will act with justice and prudence, and maintain the wording of the Stupak amendment in the final bill. If you have not contacted your Senator, please do so. Also, if your Representative voted for the Stupak Amendment, I encourage you to thank them for their courage.

- – -

In the last year, some 20,000 people have come to the Pastoral Center.

The many different groups using this facility, I think, demonstrates that the Pastoral Center truly is getting to be a home for people of the Archdiocese.

One of the latest groups we had the pleasure of hosting was a group of Catholic development professionals who met here last Thursday.

The group was composed of development professionals of various parishes, schools, and agencies throughout the Archdiocese. They gathered to talk about the challenges and ways we raise money to be able support the mission of the Catholic Church.

I was happy to address them and thank them for the work that they do. I encouraged them to carry on their work in a spirit of faith and a desire to make the good works of the Church possible now and in the future.

- – -

On Sunday, I celebrated Mass at St. James Parish in Haverhill to mark the parish’s 150^th anniversary.

Father Robert Murray is the pastor there. I told his parishioners that everyone misses him at the Cathedral where he was assigned before going to Haverhill.

He is doing a great job at St. James. I was particularly impressed by the renovations they have made: they have re-pointed the brick walls, fixed up the lower church, repaired the doors… . The church just looks stunning and the parishioners are justifiably proud of it.

Like the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, St. James is one of our Keely churches.

The parish has been very welcoming to immigrant groups. I told them that Patrick Keely who built the church, was an immigrant who came from Ireland with his 20 children. In all, he built around 700 churches and 20 cathedrals.

I commented to the people it was so beautiful to see that this church, which was built by immigrants and for immigrants, is still a welcoming parish where the Hispanic, Vietnamese, and Brazilian communities have joined the original parishioners there. Together, they all have contributed so much to the life of that parish.

Many of the altar servers who served at the Mass had been with us at the Cathedral the week before at the Altar Server Appreciation Mass, so I was able to tell them the Cathedral was built by the same man who built their parish.

- – -

Then, that evening, I went to Boston College High School for the St. James Society’s Annual Cushing Awards Banquet.

The banquet is held each year to support the work of the Society, which is made up of diocesan priests who work in Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

They sold crafts made in the missions as a fundraiser

With Bishop Hennessey’s nephews Tim and Keith.  Tim got a great round of applause toward the end of the program when Bishop Hennessey announce that Tim recently completed his service with the Marines in Iraq and earned a Purple Heart

Connor and Mara, children of the dinner Chair, Michael Burke, helped raise funds for the “split the pot” raffle

The Society was founded 51 years ago by my predecessor, Cardinal Richard Cushing. Since then, about 300 priests from all over the world have served in the society. Many of them not only served in those countries, but then returned to Boston, having been immersed in the language and the culture, to carry on our Hispanic ministries here in the archdiocese. So, in many ways, the St. James Society has always been a double blessing for us.

Speaking with the Society’s president, Father Kevin Hayes, and WBZ Radio host Dan Rhea, our emcee for the evening

One of those missionaries who went and returned was our own Bishop Robert Hennessey, regional bishop for the Central Region. I was happy to present him with a Cardinal Cushing Award, along with former state legislator and president of the New England Council Jim Brett and a lovely couple, Robert and Rose Crimmins who have traveled to Ecuador and helped build Catholic schools and clinics there.

Presenting the Cushing Award to Jim Brett …

…. Bishop Hennessy

… and Mr. and Mrs. Crimmins

- – -

On Tuesday evening, I gave a lecture at Boston College sponsored by the School of Theology and Minstry entitled, “The Eucharist and Our Formation as the People of the Church.”

It was a very good turnout. There were a lot of young people there.

I’d like to share some highlights of my talk with you:

Life is a journey, but we do not make the journey alone. The Lord is with us, and he has given us a family. At the Last Supper, Jesus bids us farewell. He gives us a command and a gift. The command is the New Commandment. The Great Commandment is, “Love God above all else. Love your neighbor as yourself. But at the Last Supper, where Jesus is gathered with His disciples, He gives us a New Commandment. But the Lord not only gives us the Commandment, He also gives us the Sacrament so that we can have the strength to live that life of love. Jesus gives us His enduring love in the Eucharist. To those who are of the household of the faith, those who are the members of His Church, to the people of God, he says, “Love one another as I love you.” Jesus has established a new standard, now His love for us is the measuring stick for the love that we have to have for each other.

In reflecting on the gift of the Eucharist, the gift of Jesus making Himself present through the ministry of the Church for all time, we remember that when God was knocking on the door of humanity, it was Mary who opened that door in our name. By way of Mary’s fiat, her “yes”, God came into our world in the person of Jesus. Mary gave Jesus his human body and blood, and she is the Mother of the Eucharist. My favorite painting of the Blessed Mother is one that is in St. Mary’s Church in Charlestown, in Boston. It depicts Saint John, the Beloved Disciple, giving Holy Communion to our Blessed Mother. It reminds me of Faber’s beautiful hymn, “Had I but Mary’s sinless heart to love thee with, my Dearest King. Oh, with what bursts of fervent praise Thy goodness, Jesus, would I sing.”

Today, we know that there are many, even among the people of God, who do not accept Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist. We should not be surprised. In John’s Gospel, when Jesus explains the Eucharist, He says, “Unless you eat of my body and drink of my blood, you will not have life in you.” At that time, many of the disciples said, “These are hard words. Who can accept them?”, and they left Jesus’ company. Today many people find the central teachings of our faith too hard to believe and simply stop coming to church. Jesus asked His Apostles, “Are you going to leave me like the others?” And Peter says, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Jesus’ words and His actions assure us that He has left us a miracle of love in the Eucharist. We need to be witnesses of that truth to our brothers and sisters who have drifted away from the community of faith.

There is direct connection between the Eucharist and the ongoing process of our formation as the People of God. The Eucharist is the source of our strength for a life of faithful discipleship, where through the Sacraments of initiation we respond to the call to holiness. Enlightened by the Eucharist, we discern our personal vocation, whether to the priesthood, religious life, marriage, or the single life. Whatever our role in the life of the Church, we are all called to be part of a communal mission to transform the world, to build a civilization of love.

The Mass begins with a penitential rite that reminds us of the need for conversion and repentance as a preparation to enter into the sacred mysteries. The very holiness of the Eucharist is an invitation to conversion, to live the ideals of the Gospel, the costly grace of discipleship. When believers truly reverence the sacredness of the Eucharist, that sense of awe and Eucharistic amazement causes people to examine their lives in the light of the commandments and strive to put their lives in order before receiving the Eucharist.

A Holy Ghost Father who served as a missionary in Africa states that one of the most important symbolic gestures that the Massai people have is to offer one another a handful of grass as a sign of peace and reconciliation. During any dispute a handful of grass offered by one Massai, and acceptance by another is a guarantee that peace will reign, that neither will turn to violence. This spirit of reconciliation is essential for the celebration of the Eucharist. That same Holy Ghost missionary, Father Donovan, gives a moving description of how Mass preparation begins among the Massai people as soon as the celebrant arrives at the village. There is much dancing and prayers are offered for the sick. This sort of pre-celebration can go on for a whole day before culminating in the celebration of the Eucharist. Yet the missionary priest never knew if indeed the Mass would follow. The leaders of the tribe would have to decide whether they could celebrate the Eucharist. If there had been selfishness, forgetfulness, hatefulness or lack of forgiveness in the life of the village, they would not make a sacrilege out of the Eucharist by calling it the Body of Christ when there was a lack of unity among the people. The celebration of the Eucharist would be postponed until the whole community could deal with its shortcomings.

When believers are aware of their need to be spiritually prepared for the Eucharist, the call to conversion is part of the experience of the Eucharist. Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles in part to denote the cleansing and repentance that must seek in preparation for participation in the Eucharist. We present ourselves before God and before the community acknowledging our need for forgiveness and reconciliation. Jesus says clearly in the Gospel that before we offer our gifts on the altar, we must be reconciled with our brothers and sisters. We need to be aware of our call to wear the garment of grace and mercy as we come to the Eucharist. We must approach the Eucharist like Moses who removed his sandals drawing near the burning bush, with a sense of wonder and awe. At the same time, we have a sense of our own unworthiness in the presence of God’s boundless and gratuitous love, like Peter, who throws himself at Jesus’ feet and says: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.”

What magnificent witnesses we have in our Catholic tradition of those who have been converted and inspired to holiness by the word of God proclaimed at the Eucharist: St. Anthony of the Desert, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Augustine and Blessed Charles de Foucauld among many others. The Word of God finds its home in the Eucharist. Here our Lord speaks to us and leaves us breathless with the challenge: How can we live the demands of His loving word? After the Word of God is proclaimed at the Liturgy of the Word in the lessons, then the Word is “proclaimed” intimately upon the altar in the bread of life and love.

Not only are we loved by God, but in Christ we are loved first. Is there a more beautiful passage in the New Testament than John’s exclamation in his first epistle: “Love, then consists in this, not that we have loved God but that He has loved us and sent His Son as an offering for our sins” (1 John 10:4). And “we, for our part, love because He loved us first,” (1 John 10:19). Pope Benedict emphasizes that our conversion, our turning to God and to our fellow men and women, is grounded in the immense grace and energy of God’s first love. “More than anything, they (who serve others in need) must be persons moved by Christ’s love, persons whose hearts Christ has conquered with His love” (Deus Caritas Est, #33). This “first love” clearly comes to us from the Cross of Christ. It is the Cross and the Resurrection, as in the Eucharistic reenactment, that love is revealed to us, and even more, the most humble love of God for us. The correct formation of our hearts as Christians, rising from our contact with the Word and Sacrament, is the basis for our formation as the Christian community, the people of the Church.

It must be stated that every Christian who seeks to be faithful to the high standard of Christian living must gratefully receive the call to live chastely in this world, each Christian is called to humbly and faithfully live the chastity that has a profound reverence for the sacrament of marriage and for the proper expression of sexuality within a faithful spousal covenant. We live in the midst of a world which is addicted to selfish and violent sexual expression. It is beyond comprehension that every day children and women are exploited with complete disregard for their humanity and their dignity. We cannot accept this as “the ways things are”. In a world where so many people are disfigured by poverty, neglect and injustice, we cannot truly be the people of the Church, followers of Christ, if we step over Lazarus starving on his porch. It is the transformational presence of Christ in the Eucharist that gives us the strength to resist our culture’s “will to power”, to be witnesses of Jesus’ sacrificial love as given to us in the Church and her teachings.

The two disciples of Emmaus, upon recognizing the Lord, “set out immediately” in order to report what they had seen and heard. The Holy Father points out: “the encounter with Christ, constantly intensified and deepened in the Eucharist, results in an urgent summons to witness and to evangelize. St. Paul wrote in the First Letter to the Corinthians: “As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). When we enter into communion with Christ we will sense the duty to be a missionary of the event that made present Jesus’ abiding love, (Mane Nobiscum Domine, #24). To be the people of the Church, to live as a community that witnesses our faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the way, the truth and the life, we must be people who are devoted to the Eucharist. Going forth to live our call to discipleship, let us share with those around us that “we have seen the Lord and we have recognized Him in the breaking of the bread.”

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Finally, I want to remind you that on Nov. 22, the feast of Christ the King, I will be presenting Cheverus Awards to those many Catholics around the Archdiocese who have witnessed to Christ’s call to discipleship through their loving support of the Church of Boston’s work and mission.

This will take place at evening prayer beginning at 3 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. I hope that you, like I, find this year’s honorees to be role models for Catholic discipleship today. Please join me in praying for this year’s recipients — that God may continue to grant them the courage to witness to Him.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Cardinal Seán

This week, our nation experienced a tragedy at the U.S. military base in Fort Hood, Texas. There is a great deal of trauma and suffering at Ft. Hood following the shooting. I spoke with Father Edward McCabe, a priest from the Archdiocese of Boston who serves our troops at Ft. Hood and who is providing pastoral care and solace in the aftermath of the shooting. I promised him our prayers for those who were killed and injured, for their families, and for all who are serving them. The fine men and women of our military are essential to the freedom we hold dear as a nation. We honor them with our prayers, thoughts and support now and always.

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I was relieved that a ballot initiative in Maine on behalf of traditional marriage prevailed, although I was also saddened that such an initiative had to be held, realizing how divisive this issue can be in a community.

The Mainers demonstrated for the thirty-first time that whenever the American people have an opportunity to express their opinion on marriage, they come down in favor of traditional marriage. I believe in my heart that if we had had the same opportunity in Massachusetts, the people of Massachusetts would also have voted in favor of traditional marriage.

Unfortunately, Governor Deval Patrick and our legislators did not allow us to exercise that right. I think that was a great injustice to the people of the Commonwealth.

By the same token, I think it’s very unfortunate that it has been impossible to carry on a serious dialogue about the importance of traditional marriage for family life and for the raising of children in our country. This has always been cast in the light of the great emotional debate over prejudice and discrimination against homosexual persons.

I am positive that the people in Maine who voted for traditional marriage were not doing so out of any rancor or disdain for homosexual persons. While there are a small number who hold extreme views in almost any cause, I am convinced the vast majority of people were looking at what is good for society.

We, of course, live in a culture where individual rights are supreme and sometimes the common good and the rights of the community are trampled because of an exaggerated stress on individualism in our country. It is my hope that someday we will be able to have a serious conversation and public debate on the wider subject of marriage. Perhaps the bishops’ upcoming pastoral letter on marriage will allow this conversation to begin.

To say that gay marriage doesn’t affect other people’s marriages is disingenuous, at best. Changing ideas impacts the culture and society, even though the consequences may not be visible immediately. To help illustrate this, I like to compare it to a nation’s change from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Perhaps the external trappings look the same but the difference in the end results and what transpires historically is going to be very dramatic.

We see that there have already been so many assaults on marriage and family life, and we are convinced that a redefinition of marriage is also detrimental to marriage. What is bad for marriage is bad for American society.

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As we have seen in Maine, the power of the people can make a positive difference. I also hope the American people, especially Catholics, participate in the democratic process in the current health care debate in our nation.

I am pleased that a number of congressmen have come forward voicing their objection to the present form of the legislation which does not have sufficient conscience protections and would propose the government funding of abortions, something that the vast majority of American people are against and that historically we have not done.

I am once again urging you, if you have not yet approached your legislators, to click on the link provided below. This will take you to a web page that will allow you to e-mail your comments to your legislators.

I think it is particularly important that those legislators who are standing up for the unborn and conscience protections know that they are supported by the public.

This is a very important moment for us in our country. If the legislation is passed in its present form, it will do irreparable harm.

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Now, onto the events of my week…

On Friday, I attended a Holy Hour and dinner with all of our seminarians — those studying at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater House of Formation, and St. John’s Seminary, as well as those studying at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in R.I. In fact, only those studying outside the United States could not be with us.

During our meeting, I gave a short address on perseverance. We had a dialogue on the priestly life. I talked to them about the celibacy conference and the Holy Father’s document on the Anglicans.

It’s always a wonderful opportunity for the seminarians to get to know each other, particularly those who study at different seminaries.

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After gathering with the seminarians at the Pastoral Center, I went to the Friends of Don Orione 43 Annual Banchetto.  At this year’s dinner, held in recognition of the 60^th anniversary of the Don Orione Home in East Boston, Mr. Joseph Milano was presented the Don Orione Man of the Year Award.  Joseph and his family are dedicated parishioners at St. Maria Goretti parish in Lynnfield and  the proprietors of the historic Union Oyster House in Boston. 

On a number of occasions Joseph has been recognized for his contributions to the work of the Church, including his having received the Cardinal Cushing Medal from the Society of St. James the Apostle, being named a Knight of Don Orione, and Knight of the American Association of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Malta.   It was a pleasure to be able to join the hundreds people gathered for the dinner in congratulating Joseph on this well-deserved honor .

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Bishop Seamus Hegarty, the bishop of the Diocese of Derry, Ireland, and Father John McCarthy, of the Irish Pastoral Centre in Quincy visited me Saturday morning.

Bishop Hegarty is in charge of the Irish bishops’ ministry to migrants. He has a special responsibility within the Irish Bishops’ Conference to deal with the questions of immigration.

He is here visiting Irish immigrants in the United States and those who serve them pastorally, so one of his stops was our Irish Pastoral Centre. The Bishop was also meeting with the Irish ambassador, and the Irish consul during his visit to the area.

Of course, we have always had a large number of Irish immigrants in Boston. In fact, when he told me that Boston was a twin city with Derry, I told him some people would say Boston is more like a colony of Ireland!

He discussed immigration legislation that could be proposed in the next year here in the United States and the impact that would have on immigrants.

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Later that morning, I presided at the annual Altar Server Appreciation Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. There were about 700 altar servers present.

This year, members of the Boston Boy Choir at St. Paul Church in Cambridge who are also altar servers sang. It was a beautiful Mass. It was also very good for the other youngsters to see the choir and to realize that young people have such a love for the liturgy, and the proficiency for singing the Latin Mass and beautiful hymns.

Afterwards, there were awards given out — the Pope John Paul II Awards and Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Awards — to servers who exemplify reverence, piety, a love of the liturgy, and a strong record of parish and community service. To conclude the day, the servers and their families were treated to ice cream sundaes in the Cathedral High School gymnasium.

Please join me in congratulating the award winners.

The winners of the Pope John Paul II Award were:

- Ryan Wallace of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Braintree,

- Noel Reed of St. Michael Parish in Avon,

- William Haughey of St. Columbkille Parish in Brighton, and

- Eddie Newton of St. Andrew Parish in Billerica

Winners of the Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Award were

- Michelle Beazley of Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta Parish in Dorchester,

- Alejandra Tejeda of Holy Family Parish in Dorchester,

- Sarah Hennessey of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish in Acton, and

- Catherine Campagna of Sacred Heart Parish in Waltham.

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That afternoon, I gave a lecture at St. Francis Chapel, located in the Prudential Center in downtown Boston, as part of a lecture series there. Given that this is the Year for Priests, I spoke on the topic of the priesthood.

We also marked the 40^th anniversary of the chapel. It was originally run by the Friars of the Holy Name Province, but for many years now, it has been staffed by the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, who are doing an extraordinary job there.

After the lecture, I celebrated the Vigil Mass for the Feast of All Saints.

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After that, I went to the North End for our monthly gathering with young adults — our “Piazza Navona project,” as I call it, because of a similar initiative in Rome that inspired our gatherings.

There was a holy hour and opportunities for confession. I had Mass there at 8 p.m. There were many priests concelebrating. Afterwards, there were pizzas.

The seminarians were standing out in front of the church inviting people in. Because it was Halloween, some people would see the seminarians in the collar and say, “Is that real?”

I recounted to them that once I was visiting a nursing home and one of the residents said, “Oh, I have a statue of him on my patio.” I said, “I hope it wasn’t a bird bath.”

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On Sunday, I celebrated the centennial Mass at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Waltham. It is a very beautiful church. They have a wonderful choir. Father Rodney Copp has done an extraordinary job in building up the parish.

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Later, I attended a Mass and a reception for the leadership of the Knights of Columbus throughout the state — the state board and the state district deputies.

I told them we are very anxious for the Knights to grow in the diocese — in the universities and the parishes.

The Knights of Columbus has shown itself to be so supportive of the Church and all of our ministries — particularly with promoting vocations, a defense of the Gospel of Life, and standing firmly with our priests. The Knights have been so faithful in enduring these difficult years. Wherever they have councils at the parishes, it has been an invaluable aid to the pastors and a great source of volunteers. We are encouraging all the pastors to consider initiating a council at their parishes if they don’t already have one.

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Monday, as you know, was All Souls’ Day. That morning, I presided at the funeral Mass for Father James O’Donohoe, Father O’D as he was affectionately known, who died on Oct. 27 at St. Patrick Manor in Framingham at the age of 88.

For priests, All Souls’ Day is very special because it is one of only two days on which priests are authorized to celebrate Mass three times. The other is Christmas.

My first celebration was privately at the cathedral rectory, but my second celebration was the funeral Mass of Father O’Donohoe.

During his life, he taught at numerous Catholic colleges and seminaries across the country, including Boston College and our own St. John’s Seminary. He also served at many parishes in the archdiocese, including St. Joseph Parish in Medway and St. Joseph Parish in Somerville. He was also a chaplain to the Gray Nuns in Lexington.

The Mass was very well attended. I commented that we should all be so lucky to have our funeral on All Souls’ Day when millions of Catholics are praying for our faithful departed!

Father O’Donohoe obviously had made a great impact on the people of Lexington, where he helped out in the parishes. Many people came to the Mass, and many priests whom he had taught in the seminary were a part of it. It was a very beautiful celebration.

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Later that day, I met with presidents of Catholic colleges within the archdiocese. We had an opportunity to thank them for all that they do to support our Catholic schools in the archdiocese, and we talked about ways we can continue to look to them for support of our Catholic school system.

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At 4:30 p.m., I celebrated my third Mass of the day  — for the Sisters Disciples at their chapel on West Street in Boston.

Afterwards, I joined them for dinner.

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I then attended evening prayer at St. Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury. We prayed the office of the dead for our deceased priests. It was organized by Bishop Hennessey. Many of our priests were able to be there, and our seminarians were invited as well.

Father Tom Buckley preached the sermon. Afterwards, there was a reception in the atrium of St. Theresa’s.

We’re all looking forward to the mosaics Father Raymond Helmick, S.J., the brother of the pastor who lives at the parish, has been making, and is going to hang in the atrium in the very near future.

Father Helmick is also the one who made the tabernacle for the parish which I have always admired.

Here are some photos which give you a sense of the beautiful tabernacle:

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On Tuesday, I had dinner and attended evening prayer with the archdiocese’s marriage ministry committee. For three years, the marriage committee has been working on designing a new marriage preparation program for us.

With the pilot program being launched, this was bringing their work to a conclusion. It was a way of recognizing them and thanking them for their contributions.

We also talked a little bit about the fact that this month, God willing, the new pastoral letter on marriage will be published.

Kari Colella, our Marriage Ministries Coordinator, was very pleased to announce that she feels the new marriage preparation course that we have designed reflects many of the themes that have been developed in the marriage pastoral.

One of the biggest challenges we have in the American church today is to instill in our people a sense of vocation, particularly vocation to married life and to being mothers and fathers.

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On Wednesday, I had a luncheon with the vicars and auxiliary bishops. Father David Couturier, our Director of Pastoral Planning addressed us at the gathering.

I thanked the vicars for their work; their service to the priests is so important. I encouraged them in faithfully conducting the vicariate meetings as an opportunity for shared prayer and fellowship, and to discuss the pastoral themes that are being discussed in the Presbyteral Council, so there can be that communication directly and all the priests can have participation in the conversations that are taking place at the archdiocesan level.

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I closed out the events for this week’s posting with a Mass for deceased members of the diaconate community held at the Bethany Chapel at the Pastoral Center. It was very well attended.

There were seven lamps that were lit representing seven people who died last year. Then, we read the names of the deceased deacons and their immediate family members, whether it was a child or a spouse.

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Finally, as I close my post for this week,  I ask you once again to pray for all those affected by the violence at Ft. Hood.

I leave you with my prayers,

Cardinal Seán

Before I begin with the events of my week, I want to briefly comment on the news that the Holy Father is going to issue an Apostolic Constitution in order to accommodate Anglicans who wish to join the Church, and at the same time, preserve some of their Anglican traditions.

In the years immediately following the Second Vatican Council there was a great optimism about the possibility of the Anglican Church being reunited with the Roman Catholic Church. I had many Anglican friends who were very positive and very hopeful about this. After all, the Anglican Church, unlike other Protestant groups, was not founded so much on theological differences but rather because of certain political expediencies of King Henry VIII who was anxious to have a legitimate heir to prevent dynastic wars. Although Henry was very Catholic in his outlook (having authored “The Defense of the Seven Sacraments”) more Protestant elements were introduced into the Anglican Church after separation from the Church of Rome. However there was always a strong Anglo-Catholic tradition, which of course flowered with the Oxford Movement, as well as the conversion of Cardinal John Henry Newman, the Graymoor Friars and Sisters, and so many others who came into the Church.

Much of our optimism about the corporate reunification of our churches, however, was dashed by decisions since the Council that were made within the Anglican communion by which they have distanced themselves from Catholic teaching and practice. Those decisions seem to be without reference to the Catholic or Orthodox Churches, particularly with regard to orders.  In light of that, many Anglo-Catholics have felt alienated and have sought to be received into the Catholic Church.

In our immediate history, we have been accepting Anglican priests into the Catholic Church, and in some cases even entire congregations that sought to become Catholic as a group. There are nine of those Anglican-use parishes in the United States and one of them is here in Boston. Those parishes have permission to use a modified version of the Book of Common Prayer as their liturgical book.

Given this, the Holy Father’s move is simply building on a practice that has been going for nearly 20 years now.

His gesture is in response to a pastoral need to reach out to those others who are anxious to become part of the Catholic Church, yet, at the same time, allow them to maintain some of their own traditions and culture.

I know people are saying that this threatens the practice of celibacy in the Catholic Church. But, I look at it as being actually a better solution than the one that we have had — particularly in England — where scores of Anglican priests have been ordained as Catholic priests. This resulted in presbyterates wherein you have both married and celibate clergy. I think that was a much greater challenge than the current decision that will establish a separate jurisdiction for the Anglican priests who would become Catholic priests.

The Holy Father’s decision was a courageous one. Some are criticizing it as un-ecumenical but I think that the decisions that the Anglican Church has made in the past have been un-ecumenical, as they have moved away from their Catholic roots. For this reason, the Holy Father’s decision is a wise one. The hopes for corporate union with the Anglican Church have been greatly diminished. However, there are many within the Anglican Communion who are very close to us and this allows them to find a spiritual home in the Catholic Church.

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On Thursday, I went to Boston College for a Mass and dinner with the Order of Malta.

The Order’s spiritual advisor, Msgr. Kevin Wallin, a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, gave the keynote address. It was a thorough presentation on the life of Blessed Gérard Tonque, who was the founder of the Order. It was very interesting, detailing much of the historical context surrounding his life and the Order’s founding. It was very informative, I think we all learned quite a bit. Father had a wonderful way of presenting it. He was very animated in his delivery.

With Suzanne Downing, the area chair for the Order

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The following day, Father Anthony Salim, the new pastor of St. Theresa Maronite Catholic Church in Brockton, came to pay a visit. We are very fortunate to have a number of Maronite parishes within our territory. Although they belong to the Maronite Eparchy, we are very close with them.

During the visit we talked about Archbishop Francis Zayek, who is the retired bishop of the Eparchy of St. Maron of Brooklyn and a very good friend of mine. He is now returning to Lebanon.

Bishop Zayek happens to be Cuban. I told Father Salim that at the bishops’ conference we always spoke to each other in Spanish. One day, one of the bishops said to me, “I didn’t know you spoke Arabic.” I told him, “I don’t speak Arabic. I am talking in Spanish.” Of course, they were shocked that a Maronite bishop spoke Spanish. He is of Lebanese origin, but was born in Cuba.

I asked Father Salim if he is a relative of Carlos Slim, a man whom Forbes Magazine recently ranked as the third richest person in the world. Carlos is a Maronite in Mexico. He just bought a part of the New York Times and owns most, if not all of, the telephone companies in Mexico, as well as Sanborns, a chain of department and drug stores in Mexico. They interviewed him once and asked him how much money he had.

He answered, “Do you mean now?” Then he paused for a few seconds. “Or now?”

Father Anthony said, unfortunately, he is not a relative!

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That evening, I went to St. John’s Seminary for the annual White Mass, for members of the Guild of St. Luke, an organization of Catholic physicians in the archdiocese.

With Guild chaplain Msgr. Timothy Moran, past-president Dr. Gerald Corcoran and Guild president Dr. Helen Jackson

A number of health care workers were present, including a good number of medical students from Harvard.

With the students

Father Myles Sheehan, a gerontologist and the new provincial of the Jesuits’ New England province, was the keynote speaker at the banquet in the seminary’s refectory which followed the Mass.

They presented me a lovely pen and a cake to mark my 25^th anniversary.

Health care has always been a very important part of our ministry. In the homily at Mass, I urged all the health care workers to be in touch with their professional organizations so that we can weigh in on the health care bill before Congress.

Recently, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops developed a bulletin insert detailing their position on the current health care debate. I have urged our pastors across the archdiocese to print it in their bulletins. Please click the image below to see it larger or visit the USCCB web site for more information on this important topic.

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On Saturday, I led a multi-lingual prayer service and gave the opening remarks at the archdiocese’s annual Catechetical Congress. This year’s event was at The Lantana in Randolph. There were about 700 catechists there. The group was divided more or less evenly between the English and Spansih-language programs.

I offered some remarks

Janet Benestad, our Secretary of Faith Formation & Evangelization, also addressed them

They had keynotes in English and Spanish, as well as a number of workshops in both languages. Susan Kay, Susan Abbott and Pilar Latorre did a wonderful job organizing the event. Bishop Irwin was there as well.

They presented the winners of the 2009 Sister Marion O’Connor, RC Award for Excellence in Catechetical Leadership.

The awards were given to Frances Taylor, the religious education director at Sacred Heart Parish in Lynn and Sister Elisette Signor of the Brazilian apostolate at St. Anthony Parish in Allston.

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From there, I went to the Mass at St. Catherine of Genoa Parish in Somerville at the invitation of Mother Gertrude Mary, the superior of the Somerville community of the Little Sisters of the Poor, to have Mass for the sisters, many of the people who live in their home, their friends, and benefactors to celebrate the canonization of the order’s foundress, St. Jeanne Jugan.

I want to share with you an excerpt from the Holy Father’s homily he gave at the canonization Mass in Rome on Oct. 11. Some of the sisters from Somerville, as well as their friends, made a pilgrimage to Rome to attend:

Through her admirable work in the service of the poorest elderly, Saint Marie de la Croix is also like a beacon to guide our societies which must always rediscover the place and unique contribution of this period of life. Born in 1792 in Cancale, Brittany, Jeanne Jugan was concerned with the dignity of her brothers and sister in humanity whom age had made vulnerable, recognizing in them the person of Christ Himself. "Look at the poor with compassion, she would say, and Jesus will look at you with goodness on your last day". This compassionate gaze on the aged, drawn from a profound communion with God, was carried by Jeanne Jugan throughout her joyous and disinterested service, practiced with gentleness and humility of heart, wishing to be herself a poor person among the poor. Jeanne lived the mystery of love by peacefully accepting darkness and divesting herself of all material possessions until her death. Her charism is always relevant, while so many aged persons suffer different types of poverty and solitude, sometimes even abandoned by their families. The spirit of hospitality and fraternal love, founded on limitless trust in Providence, which Jeanne Jugan drew from the Beatitudes, illuminated her whole existence. The evangelical impulse is followed today throughout the world in the Congregation of the Little Sisters of the Poor, which she founded and which bears witness to her following the mercy of God and the compassionate love of the Heart of Jesus for the littlest ones. May Saint Jeanne Jugan be for the elderly a living source of hope and for the persons so generously placing themselves at their service a powerful stimulus to pursue and develop her work!

The Little Sisters of the Poor have been in the archdiocese for 130 years and have been such a blessing to us. St. Jeanne Jugan, as I told them in my homily, came out of that period of the French Revolution when there were so many martyrs, so many who suffered for the faith, that resulted in a great blossoming of sanctity, holiness, and new religious movements in France. The Curé of Ars was also from that revolutionary period, as was Bishop Cheverus, our first bishop here in Boston.

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That evening, I gave the keynote address at the annual President’s Council Dinner for the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts which was held at the Omni Parker House here in Boston.

Thomas More is a Catholic college in Merrimack, N.H. and they have a number of students from our area.

I was happy to have a chance to see Ambassador Mary Ann Glendon and Dr. William Fahey, the college’s president.

Thomas More College — like Magdalen, Christendom, and Ave Maria — is a small college that is intensely dedicated to transmitting a Catholic culture and a firm theological training to its students. The college uses a Great Books approach to higher education, but also places great importance on the classical liberal arts, as well as a very strong catechetical and theological training and spiritual formation of students. Although their numbers are small, the impact that their graduates make on the community is great, so I was happy to lend my support to them.

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On Sunday, I went to Most Precious Blood Parish in Dover to celebrate the parish’s 50^th anniversary.

Father John Grimes is the pastor there

It was a beautiful Mass with a great musical program. There was a children’s choir that sang as well.

After the Mass we had a reception, then I had a Baptism for little Blaire Mae Fox, daughter and fourth child of Charles and Michelle Fox, who are parishioners there.

Charles is the son of Janice and Charles Fox, longtime friends of the Archdiocese. Janice is a great supporter of Laboure College.

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Then, on Sunday evening, I attended a vesper service and a reception with the permanent deacons who also wanted to celebrate my 25^th anniversary as a bishop.

I told them it had been my wish not to have any celebrations, and I was tricked into it because I was told that this was a good way to raise money for the priests’ retirement fund. Since then, the celebrations haven’t stopped!

It was a lovely event here at the Pastoral Center. Deacon John Nicholson spoke at the event and they made a gift in my name to the St. Francis House in Boston, for which I am very grateful.

Deacon Nicholson with his wife Claire

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On Wednesday, I went to New York to be present at a meeting with His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.  He was on an apostolic visit throughout the United States and that day went to the United Nations and met with its Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

I was invited to a luncheon at their headquarters. There was a group of religious leaders also invited at the event.

I went down with Metropolitan Methodios

Dimitros Panagos, of the Greek American News Photo Agency, kindly sent us this photo in which Metropolitan Methodios and I are greeting the Patriarch

I remember the Patriarch’s warm welcoming when we visited him in Istanbul two years ago as part of the itinerary of the Catholic-Orthodox pilgrimage.

That pilgrimage was a wonderful experience. We met with the Holy Father in Rome, the Ecumenical Patriarch in Istanbul, and went to St. Petersburg. About 100 pilgrims accompanied us.

The patriarch has always been trying to bring our churches closer together. He shares with Pope Benedict the great desire to see the Eastern and Western churches, which had been united for the first 1,000 years of our history, be reunited once again.

The patriarch, in his visit, chose to give out a commemorative stamp marking the visit of Pope Benedict to him at the See of Constantinople in December 2006 which I thought, was a significant example of his desire for unity.

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Cardinal George, archbishop of Chicago, president of our Bishops Conference and a very fine intellect has published a book, “The Difference God Makes: A Catholic Vision of Faith, Communion, and Culture.”

It is a fine volume of themes he has often spoken about. I certainly recommend it very highly to those who wish to have a firm understanding of the interplay of faith and culture in our modern world. I think it’s a great contribution and we are very pleased that Cardinal George took the time to publish the book for us.

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Finally, I want to encourage college students and young adults to join us on Saturday evening for a time of prayer, Mass and fellowship at St. Leonard’s Church in the North End of Boston.

For the second year in a row, the Vocation Office, the Campus Ministry Office and the Office for the New Evangelization have organized “The Night of the Living” on the eve of All Saints. It is a wonderful opportunity for young adults to gather, beginning with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at 7pm. Mass will be at 8pm, followed by a social with delicious food from various establishments in the North End at the Nazzaro Center next door.

This event began one year ago on Halloween and has continued every month since then. I have been present at several of these gatherings, and am always pleased to see so many college students and young adults excited about the Catholic faith. I hope to see you there!

— Cardinal Seán

First, I want to share with you some news from the archdiocese. This week, the Holy Father accepted Bishop Francis X. Irwin’s letter of resignation that he tendered last year. We are very grateful that he has generously served so long, even beyond his 75^th birthday. We look forward to his retirement and his continued presence to the people of Boston in many different ways.

His generosity, good humor, and pastoral wisdom have been gifts that he has brought to the archdiocese. We’re very grateful for all of his goodness and friendship, and hope that his retirement will be filled with many blessings and graces.

Now, onto my week.

In last week’s post, I mentioned very briefly that last Thursday I had attended the Adopt-a-Student Dinner at the Seaport Hotel for Cathedral High School. I wanted to share my thoughts of the evening in bit more detail with you this week.

Every year there is a dinner to raise funds for Cathedral High School. It is sponsored by the Board of Trustees, under the leadership of Mr. John Raimonde. Father Kevin O’Leary, pastor of the Cathedral parish, was there with us. There are a number of sisters from different communities who help staff the school, including the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Franciscan Sisters, and School Sisters of Notre Dame. They also have one religious brother. He is a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

It was a very successful evening. Catholic philanthropist Jack Connors spoke to the group about Catholic education. Earnest McNeil, one of the senior students spoke very eloquently. There was a film presentation about the school as well.

Cathedral has undergone some impressive facilities improvements in recent years. This past summer, they put in new science labs, purchased new desks for the students and teachers, and repainted and installed a new floor and tables in the cafeteria. Last year, they replaced all the bathrooms, and two years ago they put a new roof on the building. Three years ago, they built a new gymnasium. They have been working very assiduously.

The new headmaster, Tom Arria, has provided terrific leadership for the school. He came from Malden Catholic High School. They are doing a fine job there providing a quality education to low income students.

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On Friday, I was the main celebrant at a funeral Mass for Mother Anne of the Mother of God, prioress of the discalced Carmelite monastery in Danvers.

As you may know, Mother Anne passed to the Lord on October 10. Her death was sudden and unexpected. It was moving to see how many people turned out for the wake and funeral. It really made quite an impact on the whole community. She has given extraordinary leadership to the sisters there and was truly a spiritual mother to them.

Bishop Irwin, the regional bishop there, preached at the Mass. A number of priests concelebrated.

We have two cloistered communities of Carmelite sisters in the diocese. The Danvers convent, which I have mentioned in previous posts, was headed by Mother Anne, who has been a beloved religious figure in that part of the diocese. The presence of the sisters in the area has always made a very positive impact on the life of the Church. People frequently visit the convent and go there to pray.

The nuns’ life is one of work and prayer, and, as you can see, Mother was not averse to using a power saw.

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On Saturday, I gave the opening remarks and led the opening prayer service at the first social justice convocation, titled “In the Footsteps of Christ.” It was held at Boston College High School.

One of the activities that has come out of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council was a conference on the social teachings of the Catholic Church. The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council worked very closely with the ARISE Office. It was very successful. Over 300 people came.

There were a number of speakers from different areas, including pro-life, immigration, economic justice, and housing.

In my remarks, I talked about how the social Gospel of the Church is part and parcel of who we are as Catholics. I used the example of the opening talk Pope John Paul II gave at the Puebla Conference in 1979, where he challenged us to teach the truth about Christ, the truth about the Church, and the truth about the human person. I said all of these are interconnected in the Church, so it’s very important that we have that sense of our belief in God and the Trinity and our belief in the Church as the Sacrament of Christ, and the belief in the dignity of the human person made in the image and likeness of God, with an eternal destiny.

Father J. Bryan Hehir

All of those things are the background for the Church’s social Gospel. Having said that, I also commented that in the early centuries, the Church was often persecuted for what we taught about God, the Trinity, Christ, the Eucharist, and the sacraments, but in modern times, the opposition to the Church is strongest in the area of what we teach about the dignity of the human person, the Gospel of life, and the sacredness of marriage.

Participants enjoyed the conference

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Later that day, I attended the New England Middle School Rally at Xaverian Brothers High School in Westwood.

The Office of New Evangelization is trying to expand the ministry to middle school students. This was an attempt to do that. We’ve realized in the past that oftentimes this age group falls through the cracks. They’re there for sacramental preparation, and then when that passes their contact with the Church is minimal. I applaud the efforts that are being done by the office for this ministry.

I think that this can be replicated in the parishes. It’s a model of what can be done with the youngsters of this age group. There was great enthusiasm amongst the youngsters. I was happy to address them and greet them.

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On Monday, I met with Cardinal Cushing School’s President and CEO Jo Ann Simon and Board Chairman John Boucher at the Pastoral Center. The purpose of the meeting was so they could update me on the good work they are doing there. They gave me a cross which the students made. It’s a Franciscan cross.

The Franciscan sisters are the founders of the school. Historically, it was Cardinal Cushing who brought them there. Cardinal Cushing was very close to that institution. He used to spend a lot of time there and asked to be buried there. So they built a replica of the Chapel of Saint Francis Portiuncula in Assisi. The exterior is an exact replica. It’s very, very beautiful. It’s part of the Franciscan roots of that institution. I was very pleased to see the students are still being taught in the Franciscan tradition.

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Later in the day, I received a pleasant visit from Father Bill Devine, one of the many wonderful Boston priests who has served courageously and generously the men and women of our armed forces. He is presently in Okinawa, but has done many tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was home and wanted to pay a visit to update me on where his life is and what is happening with him.

In this 2003 photo, Father Bill is celebrating the Eucharist in the Iraq desert

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On Wednesday, I visited the newest Catholic school in the archdiocese, Good Shepherd School. It is a preschool that has been opened in Charlestown.

They renovated the first floor of St. Mary-St. Catherine of Siena Parish, which is a beautiful old Keely church. Like many of those churches, the church itself is on the second floor. The school is not in the basement. It is actually on the ground level. They had had a lower chapel there, so the windows are stained glass. They did a wonderful job of renovating this for the children but preserving a lot of the natural beauty of the old building. They are going to have a daily Mass chapel down there. It is just wonderful work that has been done on it. It is going to be a bi-lingual program because there are many Hispanic children in the neighborhood. The parents are very, very enthused. When Father Ronan became the pastor there, he was interested in reopening the Catholic school, but did a study – a needs assessment. What he discovered was there were many young Catholic families with small children, and there was great interest in a preschool program. As I said, it is our newest Catholic school and we are very pleased.

Until next week,

In Christ,

Cardinal Seán

Last Thursday, at the Pastoral Center, I celebrated Mass for leaders and board members of archdiocesan schools, agencies, and other affiliated organizations.

Following the Mass, they gathered in the Flatley Conference Room here at the Pastoral Center for a discussion on strategies for effective board governance. Father Richard Erikson, Neal Finnegan, Ken Quigley and Mary Grassa O’Neill served as panelists for the discussion.

We are very grateful to them, to Kevin Kiley who did such a great job organizing the event and to all those who took time out of their busy schedules to attend. Their presence shows their great dedication to our Catholic institutions.

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Later that evening, I attended a St. Andrew’s Dinner at Central Catholic High School, in Lawrence.

St. Andrew’s Dinners, which we hold periodically, give young men considering a vocation an opportunity to ask me, seminarians, and other professed religious about vocations in an informal atmosphere.

The attendees came from all over the archdiocese, but most of those at this particular gathering were from Lawrence. It was a large group, about 70 young men.

I gave a brief talk, as did a number of seminarians and one of the vocation directors. Because a large number of the participants were Hispanics, we asked two of the seminarians to address them in Spanish. In addition, Brother Rene Roy, the school’s vice president, spoke about his vocation.

As I mentioned, we hold these gatherings periodically. So if you or someone you know thinks they might be called to the priesthood, I encourage you to visit the website of our Vocations Office to find the date and location of our next St. Andrew’s Dinner.

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On Saturday, I presided at the ordination of seven new transitional deacons for the Jesuits at St. Ignatius, on the campus of Boston College. It was something of a first for me. Though, on a number of occasions, I have ordained priests for the Jesuits, this is the first time I have ordained deacons for them.

The men were from seven different provinces — two of them in Latin and South America, one from Chile, and one from Peru — but they are all studying here in Boston.

As I often do, the night before, I had dinner with the men about to be ordained. Father Brad Schaeffer was with us and I had a chance to meet the men and many of their families.

It was a wonderful day and I will continue to pray for these men as they make their way toward priesthood. I ask that you continue to pray for them, also.

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That evening, I went to St. Jude’s Parish in Norfolk for their 60^th parish anniversary and 50^th church anniversary.

I was privileged to bless their new outdoor Marian shrine.

Afterwards I celebrated the 5 p.m. Mass.

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On Sunday, morning, I presided at the Rite of Candidacy for permanent deacons at Immaculate Conception Parish in Malden.

Candidacy is one of the steps leading up to ordination. Historically, there have been what we would call minor orders, or sacramentals, that were steps on the road to ordination. The first one was always tonsure, in which the cleric’s hair was cut by the bishop.

When I was in the seminary we still had these minor orders. Of course, I attribute my permanent tonsure to this sacramental that I received as a young man!

Now, we have the Rite of Candidacy which is a public declaration by the men that they are going to continue in preparing themselves spiritually, academically, and humanly for ordination.

This year, it was at one of the parish masses Immaculate Conception. Deacons Dan Burns and Pat Guerrini, and the pastor, Father Richard Mehm, were with me.

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That evening, I had a Mass for the Ethiopian and Eritrean Community at the Cathedral and blessed an icon for them.

I celebrated the Mass in the Latin Rite, though they sang their hymns in Ge’ez and played the drums, so it had a very African flavor, so to speak.

Afterwards they gave me some lovely gifts.

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On Monday, I attended a vesper service at St. Paul’s Parish in Hingham, and dedicated a new statue of St. Paul that was commissioned during the Pauline year.

The sculptor who created it, Susan Luery, the man who modeled for the statue, Bruce Retlogle, and the benefactors who were responsible for the statue were all there along with a large turnout of parishioners.

Of course, my visit also gave me a chance to see many of the students from St. Paul’s School who are such faithful readers of the blog. Hello to you all!

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I spent Wednesday in Sudbury, Ontario. I was invited by Bishop Jean-Louis Plouffe and a lay group, the Servants of Christ who organized a Mass and a dinner to celebrate the Year for Priests. Although my family came through Ontario when they came from Ireland, I had never been to that part of the province.

Sudbury is a mining town. There’s a nickel mine there, but right now nearly 4,000 miners are out on strike.

There is a very large Francophone community in Sudbury — one of the few outside of Quebec, along with Ottawa.

In Sudbury, one third of the people are French-speaking and they have a great deal of cultural pride. This was evident in the church we had Mass in: St. Ann Des-Pins. It wasn’t so much because of the architecture or anything like that, but because the church had burned down three times and has been rebuilt each time even though there is another church, the English church, right next door. Standing between them, you can almost touch both churches.

St. Ann Des-Pins a modern church but it’s very beautiful. They have a beautiful statue of Our Lady. A lot of the work behind the altar was all done in nickel, which is so abundant there.

At the Mass, there were probably 700 people, and at the dinner there were 650. I estimate that about 75 of the 90 priests in the diocese were there, despite the fact that many of them had to drive for hours to get there.

The diocese of Sault Ste. Marie, where Sudbury is located, is very spread out. To counteract this, the bishop has moved his residence and the chancery to the geographic center of the diocese. He has two auxiliary bishops — one English speaking and one French speaking — to help minister to the two the language groups and to cover the vast territory they have.

There is also a large Native American population in the area, the Anishinabe people. They are also an important part of the makeup of the diocese and they featured prominently in the liturgy.

We have this video of the “smudging rite” which they have special permission to use during the penitential rite of the Mass.

Terry and Gerry Shannon were instrumental in organizing the celebration of the Year for Priests. They also helped bring Perpetual Adoration back to the diocese which is now in its 20th year

I had the Mass and I gave an hour talk on the priesthood that night. It was well-received and they were very enthusiastic.

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Finally, last night we held a very important fundraising event for our Cathedral High School. We are so grateful to the trustees of Cathedral High School, many whom are alumni. Under the leadership of John Remondi, they have raised so much money to keep this important ministry alive, to allow inner-city youth to receive a fine Catholic education.

As I mentioned in last week’s post, I was in Ars, France, where I participated in the International Priests Retreat held to mark the Year for Priests.

At Logan Airport, as I was about the take the plane to France, I was invited by the kitchen workers there to bless their kitchen. Of course, I was very happy to do it.

The retreat in Ars was attended by about 1,500 priests, both young and old, from about 75 different countries.

The confessional of St. John Vianney

The room where he died

As you might suppose, the largest group of attendees was from France. The second largest group was from the United States and there were priests from Africa, Latin America, China, and Eastern Europe there, as well.

Those who travelled the farthest to attend were a group of priests and a bishop from Samoa. It took them three days to get there. Unfortunately, the bishop had to return home early because of the tsunami that struck the islands.

We had a very nice group of about 20 priests from Boston and the New England area. Father Bill Kelly, our director of the Office for Clergy Support and Ongoing Formation, organized the trip for us.

Father Bill Kelly

The venue for the retreat talks was a very large underground church built near St. John Vianney’s Parish Church and Basilica.

For our meals, the organizers put up a big tent in a field near the basilica

Many priests stayed in hotels in the area. I stayed at the Le Foyer Sacerdotale, a retreat house that is very close to the basilica.

The retreat was preached by Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna, so he gave most of the talks. Cardinal Schönborn spoke in French. I gave four talks during the retreat, though I delivered mine in English.

Cardinal Schönborn

One of the talks was given by Jean Vanier, the founder of L’Arche communities, on the theme of Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples.

The retreat opened with a video of the Holy Father greeting the priests. You can read the text of his speech here.

One night there was a beautiful Eucharistic procession through the streets of Ars.

In one of the liturgies, we renewed our priestly vows from the Holy Thursday Mass. That was a very moving experience as well.

There was also a large penance service for the priests

When I celebrated Mass for the group on Wednesday, we used the Cure of Ars’ chalices and his vestments. We used his monstrance during the Eucharistic Adoration.

One of the Masses was celebrated by Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, the Archbishop of Paris. Then, Cardinal Christian Tumi, the Archbishop of Douala, Cameroon, arrived and celebrated Mass towards the end of the retreat.

The Community of the Beatitudes was in charge of the music and they did a terrific job.

I had the opportunity to meet again Cathy Brenti who came to Boston together with her bishop in 2006 with the relic of the heart of the Cure D’Ars. She was one of the coordinators of this priests retreat.

It was a wonderful way to mark the Year for Priests. In fact, this event was planned even before the Year for Priests was announced, particularly with the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of the death of St. John Vianney, but it was very fitting in this context.

It was a grace-filled experience for all those who were able to be a part of it.

I had never been to Ars before. It is a very beautiful town in the rural agricultural part of France. It is in the southeastern part of the country, an area with many important religious shrines. It is not far from Taizé, Cluny, Paray-le-Monial, which are all in that area. LaSalette is also not terribly far away.

While in Ars, my priest secretary Father Jonathan tried a new video camera and created the following short videos.

First a beautiful story on the arrival of Father Jean-Marie Vianney to Ars

Then, with the help of Father Marcel Taillon, a tour of the home of the Cure D’Ars and of the museum.

He also taped me as I was at the original church where St. Jean Marie Vianney served the people.

And we asked Cardinal Schönborn and Jean Vanier to greet our blog readers.

While in France, I was also able to visit some other parts of the country as well. I had the opportunity to visit the nearby town of Paray-le-Monial where Our Lord appeared to Marguerite Marie Alacoque in the 17^th century. In the visions, Christ asked for greater devotion to the Eucharist and also for the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart.

On our way back, we came through Paris. We arrived there on October 2. I had always heard that there were certain days when they venerated the relic of the Crown of Thorns at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. Knowing this, I checked the browser on my phone to see when the veneration would be taking place.

Sure enough, there it was. I saw that veneration was to happen within two hours! We went right to Notre Dame. Though we just showed up, they were very kind to us.

The Knights of the Holy Sepulcher take care of the relics.

I was able to hold the crown of thorns for veneration by the people

The church was packed with people for the veneration. Many Russian Orthodox faithful came to be a part of it as well.

This is a reliquary that hosts the crown of thorns. I believe it was made by Napoleon

Another reliquary

This is the tunic that belonged to St. Louis, the King of France

These are medallions of all the popes, down to Benedict XVI. They are cameos, carved out on sea shells

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Following the retreat, I flew directly from Paris to Washington, D.C., for the annual meeting of the National Catholic Education Association on Monday, October 5.

The NCEA is the professional association for the 200,000 people who work in Catholic education at all levels — primary schools, secondary schools, universities, seminaries.

Each year, they honor people from throughout the country for their contributions to Catholic education.

Two President’s awards and six Ann Seton awards were presented this year, one of them to Jack and Eileen Connors.

Each of the honorees was able to name one person who would receive a scholarship. The Connors named a young man, Addison Atanga, an eighth grader at Holy Trinity in Brockton, as the beneficiary of the scholarship.

It was very enlightening to see what is happening throughout the country and how people are stepping forward to support Catholic education and to work for the renewal of our Catholic schools. We are very proud that among the people who were singled out for their philanthropy and dedication to Catholic schools was Jack and Eileen Connors.

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By Tuesday, I was back home in Boston. On Tuesday night, I went to Stonehill College for a celebration to honor Father Mark Cregan. He was given the Thomas and Mary Shields Awards for all of his support of Trinity Catholic Academy in Brockton. The event was held at the college’s new science hall, which was named in honor of the Shields.

The children from Trinity Academy sang a number of songs and the band played a number of pieces. The children did a fantastic job.

Three or four students read essays that they had submitted for a contest. It was just amazing to listen to the caliber of these essays because it sounded more like high school material. Everyone was so impressed with what they are doing.

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Finally, don’t forget about our Social Justice Convocation on Saturday, Oct. 17 at Boston College High School, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. I invite you all to attend what will help you bring to the world Christ’s compassion and love for all. I am looking forward to seeing you there.

Until next week,

Cardinal Seán

Pope John Paul II offered hope to the world. He guided our Church for more than two decades, touching the lives of millions of people, young and old, calling each of us to trust in the goodness of our Lord.

His presence and his imprint on our Church remain as strong today as it did throughout his entire pontificate. In his funeral homily for the late Holy Father, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who himself would be elected Pope just two short weeks later, said, “We can be sure that our beloved Pope is standing today at the window of the Father’s house, that he sees us and blesses us.

Pope John Paul II continues to bless Boston and all of the Catholic Church just as he did 30 years ago on a windswept rainy occasion of his visit to the United States.

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The Archdiocesan Pastoral Council has organized and is promoting a convocation discussing the social gospel of the Church. They’re very excited about the possibility of being able to present to our people the very rich teachings of the Church on social justice — life issues, economic justice, immigration, and so many areas of our lives. We’re grateful to all those who have been working very hard at preparing this.

The Archdiocesan Justice Convocation is on October 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Boston College High School. Please register early to ensure your spot at this important convocation. I encourage you all to attend!

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Last Wednesday night, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary had their annual Lawn Party. It was a great success, with about 400 in attendance. In all, I believe they raised close to $250,000 in funds for the seminary.

During the evening’s speaking program we heard from two seminarians who spoke about their lives and how they heard the call to the priesthood.

Seminarian Guy Sciacca

Several bishops from the neighboring dioceses attended, which indicates the wonderful support that Blessed John is receiving.

Currently, there are seminarians from over 30 dioceses studying there.

We’re very grateful to the rector, Father Peter Uglietto, and Dr. John and Mrs. Gretchen LaRossa, who were in charge of the event

We all wished Father Peter Uglietto a happy birthday since the next day was his birthday.

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On Thursday afternoon, I celebrated a Mass with the priests and bishops of the archdiocese to mark the 25^th anniversary of my episcopal ordination. The Mass was at St. Theresa of Avila Parish in West Roxbury.

A number of priests suggested that I celebrate a Mass to mark my silver anniversary and to have an opportunity to gather with the priests. The bishops from the region and His Eminence, Metropolitan Methodius of Boston also came. Metropolitan Methodius shepherds the Greek Orthodox Church in the Boston area.

After Communion, I was in for a big surprise. Our Central Region Bishop, Robert Hennessey, presented me with a beautiful crozier, handcrafted of silver in Italy, as a gift from the bishops and priests of the archdiocese. I remarked that when I saw Bishop Hennessey walking out of the sacristy with the crozier, I thought there was a coup d’etat!

The homilist at the Mass was Father Robert McCreary, who had been one of my major professors in the seminary.

He is a wonderful theologian and very spiritual friar. He was one of the two chaplains — the priests that assist a bishop-elect during the ceremony — who was present when I was ordained a bishop in the Virgin Islands. The other chaplain was Father Paul Brody, who has gone home to God. Father McCreary was very generous in preaching. I want to share a recording of Father McCreary’s homily with you.

Afterwards, I had a very nice luncheon at St. Theresa’s with the priests.

That evening, I had dinner with the bishops at the cathedral.

Later, I attended a very beautiful concert offered by the community of Jesus, Gloria Dei Cantores, to mark my Episcopal anniversary. They sang liturgical music in Russian as well as Gregorian chant. It was a lovely celebration.

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On Friday, I attended a meeting with Tom Peterson and his associates about an exciting initiative called Catholics, Come Home.

They have developed some very beautiful programs to invite people to return to the practice of the faith. He was reporting to us about the great successes that dioceses have had using these. In the dioceses of Phoenix and Corpus Christi the organization aired commercials on television, prompting an upsurge in Mass attendance of more than 15 percent and a significant increase in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The initiative is being expanded to 15 more dioceses across the country this Advent, including the diocese of Providence, RI.

We were talking about the possibility of presenting this group to our priests and people here to see if this might be a good way for us to evangelize and to have outreach to inactive Catholics and those who are un-churched.

CatholicsComeHome.org‘s “Epic” commercial is a beautiful representation of our Church’s history and mission.

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From Sept. 25 to 27, St. John’s Seminary hosted a Conference on Priestly Celibacy, entitled, “Chaste Celibacy and Continence of the Diocesan Priest.”

Over a year ago, I had a conversation with Cardinal Francis Stafford (who, at that time, was still heading the Apostolic Penitentiary) in which we both realized how important it is for us to present, particularly to our seminarians and priests, the very deep theological meaning of celibacy.

Cardinal Stafford

We were very lucky to be able to assemble an extraordinary group of speakers, including Cardinal Marc Ouellet of Quebec, Cardinal Stafford, and Archbishop Allen Vigneron from Detroit, as well as Father Stefan Heid from Cologne, Germany.

Archbishop Vigneron

Father Heid, like Father Christian Cochini, a French Jesuit, has written extensively on the apostolic origins of celibacy.

It’s a theme that interests me very much because people often have difficulty understanding clerical celibacy. You read in the popular media that it was invented in the Middle Ages to protect the real estate holdings and avoid nepotism and such things. But, the real meaning of celibacy, in faith, is the celibacy of Christ, which he invites the apostles to participate in. That was a tradition in the Church right from the first century.

Father Heid made a magnificent presentation. We were happy that the seminarians were able to participate in it so much.

We had two sessions at the seminary and one evening session at Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton that was open to the priests in the archdiocese.

The evening session at Our Lady Help of Christians

Most of those participating were seminary rectors from about 60 seminaries around the country. St. John’s will publish the talks.

It was certainly an extraordinary event and one that was very timely given the fact that the Holy Father announced the Year for Priests after we planned it. This was certainly a very important way to celebrate the Year for Priests by focusing on celibacy, which is an important charism for the Catholic priesthood.

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On Sunday, I presided at the 150^th Anniversary Mass for Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Marblehead. I celebrated Mass and afterward had a chance to greet some of the parishioners.

It was a wonderful occasion and I was pleased to see Father Michael Steele is doing such a good job there.

This is a photo with Marie Adams, the oldest parishioner at Our Lady’s. She’s 91!

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This week I want to mention that Father Bob Kickham, one of my priest secretaries, let me know that the senior league hockey team he plays on recently won their division championship after sweeping several challengers.

Though the team’s name, “Shock”, is a little jarring, Father assures me that they are all good family men, involved with activities in their local communities and at their churches and synagogues, and that many volunteer their free time for youth sports and other activities for young people. Congratulations to the team!

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Finally, I want to let you know that I am preparing this post from Ars, France where I am on a pilgrimage with a group of priests from the archdiocese. We are attending an international retreat for priests to help mark the Year for Priests. (Ars is where St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, performed his priestly ministry.) But more on that next week…

In Christ,

Cardinal Seán

Hello again!

Last Wednesday, Mary Grassa O’Neill and I both addressed over 150 Catholic school principals and pastors at the Celebration of Education here at the Pastoral Center.

Mary, who is our Secretary for Education and Superintendent of Schools, began her talk with an amusing anecdote, so I wanted to share it with you.

She told us many people presume that the head of the Catholic schools of the archdiocese must be a nun, so she’s often being called “Sister.” Some have joked with her that she needs to either wear shorter skirts, more makeup, or more jewelry. But, she said she decided maybe that she would get a tattoo, and then people would realize she was not a nun!

Mary had some of those stick-on tattoos that children use

All humor aside, she gave a beautiful talk on the state of Catholic education in the archdiocese. Her address called schools to work together and praised the wonderful job that’s being done in so many of our schools. She also spoke about the challenges that we are facing.

Then I addressed the principals and pastors during a question and answer session.

We also awarded certificates marking significant anniversaries of various schools.

St. Mary of the Assumption, Lawrence, 150 years

Our Lady of Perpetual Help/Mission Grammar School, Roxbury, 120 years

Trinity Catholic High School, Newton, 115 years

St. Mary’s Elementary School, Melrose, 100 years

St. Jeanne D’Arc Academy, Lowell, 100 years

Central Catholic High School, Lawrence, 75 years

Country Day School of the Holy Union, Groton, 60 years

St. Tarcisius, Framingham, 50 years

St. Francis of Assisi Elementary School, Braintree, 50 years

Bishop Fenwick High School, Peabody, 50 years

East Boston Central Catholic Elementary School, 35 years

Right before the end of our meeting, the folks at the Catholic Schools office surprised me with a beautiful cake in honor of my jubilee.

It was one of those cakes that are so beautiful, it seems a shame to eat it. But I think we managed pretty well, anyway!

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On Thursday, I met with FOCUS, a group of college campus ministers who are coming into the archdiocese. FOCUS is a movement of young people engaged in campus ministry.  They do such things as peer ministry, setting up Bible groups and study groups.

I understand they work in 45 universities around the country.

They have been extraordinarily successful in other places they’ve been and they are being their work here at MIT. We are so pleased to have them in the archdiocese.

I was very happy to give them my blessing

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Thursday was also the first Presbyteral Council meeting of the year with a new council. Msgr. Dennis Sheehan has been reappointed as the moderator.

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On Thursday night, I travelled to Rome for a few days. I was there primarily for meetings with the Congregation of the Bishops, and also to report on my visit to Cuba.

On Saturday, I was invited to attend the final days of a gathering of seminarians from the Neocatechumenal Way in Porto San Giorgio, on the Italian region of Le Marche.

The meeting took place inside this round chapel called “the tent”

Porto San Giorgio is a tourist oriented town on the Adriatic coast, not too far from Rimini where, a few years ago, I attended another very important event for youth, “Il Meeting” which is organized every year by Communion and Liberation.

Father Antonio Medeiros, the rector of the Redemptoris Mater House of Formation in Boston, our Vocation Director Father Dan Hennessey, and Antonio Enrique, the editor of The Pilot, accompanied me during the trip.

At this retreat, or “convivence” as they are called, prospective seminarians from Neocatechumenal communities from around the world gather and confirm their availability to enter one of the 76 Redemptoris Mater Seminaries around the world, including the one here in Boston.

The men who enter Redemptoris Mater Seminaries receive a formation which is both diocesan and missionary.

In many ways, it is not unlike the St. James Society, which was founded in Boston: diocesan priests who serve a time in the missions — some more, some less — but always remaining part of the diocese.

Kiko Argüello, Carmen Hernández and Father Mario Pezzi — who are the international team responsible for the Neocatechumenal Way — have always welcomed me very warmly. They were very supportive of my request to open a Redemptoris Mater House of Formation in Boston several years ago.

Greeting Carmen

To begin their missionary experience, the men entering the seminary are assigned, many of them at random, to seminaries spread over every continent. There, they will learn the local language, culture and one day, hopefully, be ordained as diocesan priests with a missionary spirit. At the Saturday evening sending event, over 250 new seminarians were assigned to different seminaries.

In addition to the new seminarians, there were also current seminarians from Europe and other places where the academic year has not begun yet. So, in all, over 1,000 seminarians and future seminarians attended — quite an impressive number.

This is the second time I have participated in one of these gatherings. I was very impressed, as I always am, at the willingness of the young men to offer themselves to go anywhere in the world to be formed as diocesan priests.

We received four new seminarians for Boston, two Polish, one Nicaraguan and one American.

Kiko introduces us as the representatives of the Boston House of Formation

With our four new seminarians

It reminds me very much of the spirit that was prevalent in the Church in the years when my own Capuchin community was sending so many people to Papua New Guinea and Puerto Rico. Every year, three, four, or five priests out of every class would be sent.

It is also impressive to see the countries where seminaries have been opened — including places like Scandinavia or Pakistan where the Church is embryonic at best.

Pope John Paul II, as Bishop of Rome, opened the first Redemptoris Mater Seminary in his diocese in the 1980s. Soon, other bishops asked the Neocatechumenate to help them start seminaries in their own dioceses with that same missionary spirit. Currently, there are six here in the U.S.

A number of bishops and archbishops were in attendance including the Bishop of Curaçao, who is opening his own seminary. When I was in the Caribbean, I was part of the Antilles bishops’ conference there and we occasionally had meetings in Curaçao. I know the Church there very well but, I had not yet met Bishop Luigi Secco, the new bishop who replaced Bishop Ellis a few years ago.

The twelve bishops attending the event

On Sunday, I presided at Mass for the group.

We processed into the chapel from the outside

The singing in the Neocatechumenal communities is always very animated and the songs are always very scriptural.

This year we ordained our first priest from that House of Formation, Father Israel Rodriguez, who is currently serving at Immaculate Conception Parish in Marlboro where there is a large Hispanic community.

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On Sunday afternoon, we visited the Basilica della Santa Casa in Loreto which is around 20 miles away from Porto San Giorgio.

We could hardly walk two steps without being stopped and asked for a blessing

Father Dan became the impromptu photographer of a group of pilgrims

The care of the basilica is entrusted to the Capuchins. The friars were very welcoming to us.

With the rector of the Basilica, Father Marzio Calletti

The friars there serve the pilgrims by welcoming them and offering them the sacraments, including the Sacrament of Reconciliation. They confess in many languages all day long and I could see the lines of those waiting to confess.

Friars are confessing pilgrims in several locations inside the church. This is the North American chapel

I was happily surprised to meet a Capuchin from the New York Province, who is originally from Medford.

With the superior of the Capuchins we visited the House of Mary, a church within the Basilica that houses the original house where, according to the tradition, Mary was born and spent her early years and where the Angel Gabriel announced that she was to be the mother of Jesus.

The outside of the Santa Casa is covered with art scenes of the life of Mary as well as scenes of other Old Testament women. They were very beautiful.

The local bishop of the Prelature of Lotero, Monsignor Giovanni Tonucci, greeted us at the Basilica and gave us a very detailed and very interesting tour of the place. I had known him from when he was in Washington at the Nunciature as a priest in the 1980s.

A beautiful fresco of the annunciation

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After visiting la Santa Casa we paid a visit to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Macerata, which is a few miles away from the basilica.

They gave us a tour of the seminary, including this beautiful chapel

There we prayed vespers with the seminarians and had dinner with them. Macerata is the home town of Father Matteo Ricci, one of the great Jesuit missionaries to China.

In fact, this seminary has a very special mission to prepare priests to work in China. In 20 years, they have ordained 50 priests, some of which are working in China.

I was very impressed to hear that they have not lost any priests ordained from that seminary!

Until my next post.

In Christ

Cardinal Seán

Roland and Alice are daily communicants at the Pastoral Center and have always been very supportive of works of the archdiocese. I was very pleased to be with them to mark the first anniversary of the passing of their son Theodore and to remember their son Gregory who is also no longer with us.