Cardinal Burke Has Blessed Our Church for Five Decades

Dear Friend, 

This coming Sunday, June 29^th, His Eminence Cardinal Raymond Burke will celebrate his 50^th anniversary of ordination to the Sacred Priesthood. This year also commemorates His Eminence’s celebration of 30 years a bishop and 15 years a Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. I can honestly say He is truly a living gift to the Church. 

I had the privilege of interviewing His Eminence just days before Pope Francis died, not knowing that he would soon leave for the conclave. It was a privilege to sit down with him, to recount and dicuss the beauty of his 50 years of priestly vocation. 

In this interview, Cardinal Burke reminisces about the influences of faith-filled family members, priests, and religious who were part of his early discernment of a vocation. He spoke especially fondly of the priest who brought the Sacraments to his father in the final days of his life. What a difference the example of a good priest makes in the lives of young people!

His Eminence gives us an extraordinary tale of priestly obedience and how that led to the subsequent professional contribution he has made to the Church as a canon lawyer and ultimately as Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura (the Church’s Supreme Court) under Pope Benedict XVI. His reflection on the priestly vows he made will be inspiring to all who hear him tell it but especially to priests and religious who struggle to live those vows on a daily basis.

He commented on the many challenges he faced throughout his years as priest and bishop. In an insightful way he discussed how in many ways catechesis and liturgical issues have been among the most challenging. Anyone who knows or follows Cardinal Burke has seen that these are constant themes he emphasizes.

Perhaps the most endearing part of the interview comes at the end when His Eminence gives his wise and relevant advice to priests and men aspiring to a priestly vocation. One would not be surprised to hear him speak to the younger clergy about love for the Eucharist, the doctrine of the Faith, and the need for priestly fraternity as the fundamentals of the life of any priest. 

In my thirty years of knowing and collaborating with him, I can certainly say that Cardinal Burke has been one of the most inspiring churchmen in the public arena, especially in these tumultuous days of a post Vatican II Church. His love for the Church is tangible, and it shows in his every word and action. It shows in his very demeanor! 

In his Golden Jubilee year, I assured him, on behalf of the Catholic Action family, that his fifty years of priesthood have been an enormous blessing for the Church. I’m sure you’ll agree with me that we are very fortunate to be living at a time when Raymond Cardinal Burke is one of the brightest lights shining in the darkness of our world!

If you have not already signed up for the Spiritual Bouquet we are preparing to present to him on this special anniversary, you still have time. Go to our website and make your pledge. I will present this to His Eminence this coming Sunday, on the occasion of his anniversary.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Yours in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

Thomas J. McKenna 
Founder and President

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

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