
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 https://www.catholicaction.org/
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