Dear Friend, 

Recently, I was pleased to attend events honoring His Eminence, Cardinal Raymond Burke, on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of ordination to the Sacred Priesthood. The activities took place in La Cross, Wisconsin at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe founded by His Eminence. 

On Thursday, June 26th approximately 170 clergy and religious from around the country and the world, gathered to pray vespers in the shrine church followed by a formal dinner at the Waterfront Hotel. It was a reunion of clergy who had collaborated with and were influenced by Cardinal Burke throughout his priestly vocation. The cardinal’s table hosted 6 or 7 bishops, one of whom was Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the military ordinariate and current president of the USCCB, who gave one of three toasts highlighting Cardinal Burke’s loyal ministry to Holy Mother Church over the past 50 years.



A toast to Cardinal Burke at the clergy dinner.

Friday, June 27 Cardinal Burke celebrated a Pontifical High Latin Mass with all the splendor of the traditions of the Church. It was as beautiful as it was inspiring. The shrine choir sang beautiful Latin hymns accompanied by the spectacular organ which filled the church.



Following the High Mass in the extraordinary form.

Saturday, a black-tie Gala dinner was hosted on the shrine grounds in a beautiful tent set up and decorated in the style of a luxurious hotel. Some two hundred or so guests were in attendance which included family and friends of Cardinal Burke as well as those who have helped him throughout the years in his ministry and establishing the shrine. A highlight was when Cardinal Burke’s sister, Mary, took to the microphone and gave an insightful and inspiring recap of her brother’s life. She recounted many details of his childhood and then his life as a priest and bishop, which she and her family were so proud of. As the evening concluded, the guests gathered outside the tent where the grand finale unfolded with a spectacular fireworks exhibition to highlight the occasion.



Cardinal Burke's sister, Mary at the Gala highlighting her brother's life.



Msgr. Morris from St. Louis toasting His Eminence.

Sunday was the feast day of Saints Peter and Paul and the actual day His Eminence was ordained a priest in 1975 by Pope St. Paul VI in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Cardinal Burke presided over a special Jubilee Holy Mass in the ordinary form at the church at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. On the altar, Cardinal Burke was joined by Archbishop Leonard Blair, retired Archbishop of Hartford and lifelong friend since the seminary, Bishop Emeritus Robert Baker of the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama, a dear friend throughout his priestly life and Bishop Gerard Battersby, a beloved bishop of the La Crosse diocese. There was standing room only and Cardinal Burke gave a beautiful homily expressing his gratitude for his 50 years of priesthood and the many graces that came as a result.



 Recession of Sunday Holy Mass.



Concluding Sunday Holy Mass.



Cardinal Burke greeted the many people and families who attended.

Following the Holy Mass, I was able to meet with Cardinal Burke and present him with the Catholic Action for Faith and Family Spiritual Bouquet which members and supporters pledged for the Jubilee. His Eminence was very surprised and grateful for such a meaningful spiritual gift. I am grateful to all who joined us in preparing this.



Thomas McKenna presenting the Catholic Action Spiritual Bouquet.

A special addition for those who attended the Jubilee celebrations was the presence of the daughter of St. Gianna Molla, a longtime friend of Cardinal Burke, who came from Italy. We have also been friends and worked together for almost 20 years; we had a lot of time to catch up. On Monday, we were both blessed to join Cardinal Burke for Holy Mass in his private chapel at his residence. It was His Eminence’s 77th birthday and we felt honored to be with him.



Gianna Molla and I at the shrine altar dedicated to her mother.



Gianna Molla and I with Cardinal Burke at the high altar.



Private Mass with His Eminence on his birthday.

I am grateful that I was able to attend these celebrations with Cardinal Burke who has been a friend for more than 30 years. I pray that God gives this holy man many more years of good health in the service of Holy Mother Church.

Sincerely yours in Jesus Christ,



Thomas J. McKenna
Founder and President

Catholic Action For Faith And Family
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