Meeting with Cardinal Burke

Dear Friend,

On January 10, I traveled to Rome to attend the international conference of the Confraternities of Catholic Clergy from the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. I serve as the Executive Director of the American association and was a member of the organizing committee. It was an inspiring opportunity to spend five days together with wonderful priests and several holy cardinals. And it afforded me the opportunity to pass through the Holy Doors of the four major basilicas to gain the indulgences for the Jubilee year. At each of the basilicas and shrines I prayed for all of our family of souls.

Founded in 1975 by Father Robert Levis, an American priest, the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy is a grassroots association of Catholic priests worldwide. It grew out of the post-conciliar turmoil of the 1970s to encourage clergy to stay true to their vocation. Membership is for priests, deacons and seminarians. I am the only layman and have served as the Executive Director; for most of my thirty plus years, I have assisted them.

I had the occasion to meet with Cardinal Burke on several occasions. On Sunday, January 12, I attended a Holy Mass with him in his private chapel. Afterwards I joined him for lunch where we discussed plans and activities for Catholic Action and world events.

Confraternity priests with Cardinal Müller for Holy Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

On Tuesday, the first day of the conference, there was a beautiful Holy Mass with Cardinal Gerhard Müller at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Wall. Later, he gave a beautiful lecture to the priests about their vocation. I had the opportunity to pass through the Holy Door at this Basilica and to pray before the tomb of St. Paul for all of our members.

With Cardinal Robert Sarah

Praying before the relics of the manger at the Basilica of St. Mary Major

The next day, there was Holy Mass with Cardinal Robert Sarah at the Basilica of St. Mary Major. I was given the opportunity to go through another Holy Door for the Jubilee Year.

This basilica holds the relics of the crib where our Lord was born. At that spot, I prayed for all our members of Catholic Action and Operation Storm Heaven. In the evening, Cardinal Sarah gave a lecture, followed by dinner. We were blessed to have Cardinal Burke and Cardinal Sarah join us. What an enjoyable conversation with such illustrious prelates!

Entering the Holy Door at the Basilica of St. John Lateran with Cardinal Burke

Holy Mass with Cardinal Burke at the Basilica of St. John Lateran

Thursday, Cardinal Raymond Burke celebrated a Holy Mass at the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, the Pope’s church in Rome. This was the last Holy Door for me to pass through for the Jubilee year in Rome. Cardinal Burke and I walked through the door together and prayed for all Catholic Action members. Later that day, His Eminence gave a lecture on the sacred vocation of the royal priesthood and then joined us for dinner. Another very inspiring day.

Conferences

Friday, the closing Holy Mass was celebrated by Cardinal Burke in Saint Peter’s Basilica. After four days of inspiring conferences presented by leading cardinals and theologians in the Church today, the priests who attended, headed home to their respective countries inspired and renewed in their vocation to spread the gospel of the Lord. I was very privileged to have been a part of this event.

Here are the links to two well-written articles about the conference:

Priests at Rome Conference Share Their Challenges, Strong Signs of Hope

https://www.ncregister.com/news/priests-at-rome-conference-share-their-challenges-strong-signs-of-hope

Cardinals Sarah, Müller and Burke Encourage Priests Facing Today’s Challenges

https://www.ncregister.com/news/2025-confraternity-of-catholic-clergy-talks

For the full texts of the conference presentations go to: https://edwardpentin.co.uk/

Visit to the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano

Reciting a rosary for all the intentions of the members of Operation Storm Heaven with Fr. Ezra Sullivan, O.P.

On Saturday, my last day in Italy, I made a pilgrimage with a very close friend, Fr. Ezra Sullivan O.P., to the shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel of Genazzano. There we prayed a rosary for the intentions of all of our family and friends and the members of Catholic Action For Faith and Family.

May Our Lady of Good Counsel, who is the beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father, intercede for us, in all our needs.

Thomas McKenna

Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
https://www.catholicaction.org/

P.S. One of our goals at Catholic Action is supporting our faithful clergy, so that together, we can strengthen our suffering Church. Saturday, February 1 is the LAST day to support our 2025 Annual Fund. All donations are tax deductible.

Follow us on:

X

Facebook

Instagram