32 minute read
PROFILE
Mary Anne Boyd
Respect Life Advocate Proud to Share Consistent Message of Life
Advertisement
BY JOHN STEGEMAN
In March, Mary Anne Boyd was granted the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s Respect Life Award. Boyd had been nominated before, and with 32 years in life-related ministry, it’s no surprise she won. Throughout her career and retirement, she’s worked to spread the message that all life is sacred.
Boyd served the archdiocese as Respect Life coordinator for 25 years before retiring in 2013 and was instrumental in the local founding of Project Rachel, a ministry that offers hope and healing to women who have had abortions.
Boyd has continued to serve Project Rachel as a volunteer since retiring, alongside working on “Together in Christ,” a joint effort of the archdiocesan Social Action and Respect Life Offices, as well as in a variety of other efforts such as prison ministry and clergy education.
Boyd’s initial connection to the pro-life world was through the adoption of her two children. She went on to volunteer for Birthright of Greater Cincinnati, and through that organization, she connected with the archdiocese.
As part of her interview process, she was introduced to the “seamless garment” teaching on life, popularized in part by former Archbishop of Cincinnati, Most Rev. Joseph Bernadin. This teaching states that a consistent pro-life ethic includes more than just an anti-abortion position, but also opposition to capital punishment and euthanasia and following Catholic social teaching.
“I always like to reflect back on the consistent-life ethic,” Boyd said of her long service. “[Archbishop] Bernadin’s seamless garment; to me, that’s what pro-life is. It has to be all the issues, not just one. That’s when it becomes very meaningful. All life is important and deserves dignity and respect at all stages.”
Boyd believes that the consistent life ethic is shining through in the current and newer generations of pro-life advocates.
“Today, it’s a much more inclusive issue,” she said. “The younger generation today, I think, looks at life issues more inclusively.”
Project Rachel is an example of the consistent life ethic. It recognizes the tragic loss of an unborn child, but also recognizes the inherent dignity and value of the post-abortive mother. The ministry has made great strides in helping women come to terms with their abortions and, in many cases, turn back to the Church.
“One of the women said to me that one of the most important things to her was that I could still accept her even though I was not post-abortive,” Boyd said. “Because I worked for the archdiocese, I represented the Church to them. That is a very important piece of the ministry, that there is someone there that is going to accept them.”
Another way Boyd has spread the message of life is by helping parents grieve the loss of an unborn child through stillbirth or miscarriages. She worked with the Respect Life Office last year in hosting Masses for parents who have suffered the loss of children at several parishes around the archdiocese.
“I learned through this just how much grief couples feel when they lose a child through miscarriage or stillbirth,” she added. “It’s such a sad time.”
Whether working for the unborn, the post-abortive, the imprisoned, or the grieving, Boyd has made a life’s work of promoting the message of life.
Ever since she was a young girl, Gianna loved to help people. Her passion led her to become a surgeon and doctor for children and mothers. She was also very adventurous. She loved spending time outdoors, going hiking and skiing.
Gianna was a brave, strong woman and opened her own health clinic in 1955. There she met a handsome engineer named Pietro. They fell in love, married and had three children.
While pregnant with their fourth child, Gianna suffered serious health issues. If she gave birth to her baby, she might die. Her doctors tried to persuade her to have an abortion, but she refused. She gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named Gianna Emanuela. But, unfortunately, Gianna could not be saved. Like Christ, Gianna sacrificed her own life out of love so her child could live. Her daughter would eventually follow in her mother’s footsteps, becoming a doctor.
Known for her bravery and loving sacrifice, Gianna was canonized a saint in 2004, and Pietro and Gianna Emanuela were present! This was the first time a husband was able to witness his wife’s canonization as a saint!
St. Gianna Molla is the patron saint of doctors, mothers and unborn children. Pray through the intercession of St. Gianna for the bravery and strength to face difficult things, as well as for the health of mothers and children.
BABY CHILDREN COURAGEOUS
DOCTOR EMANUELA GIANNA MOTHER PROLIFE SACRIFICE
CATHOLIC AT HOME TALKING TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT ABORTION
I went to church and grade school across the street from a third-trimester abortion center. Back then, the pro-life movement was more angry than merciful, and, as a small child, I saw protesters on the sidewalk holding up graphic posters of aborted babies. I heard them yelling horrible accusations at anyone going into the facility.
I was 8 when I went with my mom to a peaceful life chain; people drove by screaming angrily at us, making obscene gestures, and displaying graphic images. This was my exposure to the abortion debate. I saw identical behavior on both sides of the fence and didn’t know what to think or feel. I knew that killing an unborn child was wrong, but the examples I witnessed told me that the women making that decision were malicious in their intent and should be condemned, or at the very least hated.
A GUIDING LIGHT Like my own children, I needed my parents’ guidance. I needed their voices to rise over the cacophony and give me clarity. It’s my task as a parent to escort my children through this world. That means I walk with them as they encounter the good and the bad. I can shield them for a while, but, ultimately, if I don’t give them the Christian perspective on hard topics, the world will offer its own – which, more often than not, fails to represent Jesus.
My kids are young. A couple of our five are mildly aware that there’s evil in the world, but they’re more concerned with Legos and the Tooth Fairy over matters of injustice. Still, at a certain level of maturity – notice I didn’t say age – it is good to slowly open their eyes to such things, since doing so also opens their eyes to the depth of God’s mercy.
WHERE TO BEGIN? For young minds, addressing abortion can be very simple. In my experience, knowing the details of “where babies come from” isn’t necessary. Children identify with emotions even if they don’t understand the reasons behind them, so I’ll say that sometimes a mama with a baby in her tummy might be scared to have her little one. She might be afraid of not having enough money or help because having a baby is hard work. “Have you ever been scared to do something hard?” I ask them. No, they don’t share the same fears as abortion-minded women, but pinpointing this common emotion teaches them empathy over judgment; mercy over condemnation.
RESPONDING LIKE CHRIST Children have a way of getting straight to the point even when we sugar-coat or gloss over the unfortunate details of evil. Be honest with the young, curious minds in your home. While we cannot forever shield them from the wrongs in the world, we have the incredible, God-given power to teach them how receive those wrongs and respond to them as Christ does. St. Isaac encouraged prayer over condemnation, “so that [we] may resemble Christ, who was not angry with sinners but prayed on their behalf.” Even in the face of something as abhorrent as abortion, we can nevertheless teach our children that abortion doctors and facility workers are loved by Jesus, who desires their conversion. We can teach them that mothers need our consistent prayers for courage not just in choosing life for their unborn children, but well after birth. We can teach them that every pre-born baby is made in the image and likeness of God and deserving of protection and care.
Pope St. John Paul II said, “The human person is a good toward which the only proper attitude is love.” This is the very concept we must convey to our children in our speech and actions. Abortion is wrong because it violently ends a life made in the image and likeness of God, so feelings of injustice, anger, sorrow and incredulity are all justified. Abortion is wrong because it takes a mother, a role renowned for its power and love, and renders her both victim and offender; she falls prey to the lie that she must abort in light of her circumstances and in so doing, consents to her child’s death. What is paramount in our address now is that we treat both with love and mercy.
KATIE SCIBA is a national speaker and Catholic Press Awardwinning columnist. Katie and her husband Andrew have been married for 11 years and are blessed with six children.
BY EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU
Ultrasound Initiative
Donations Bring State of the Art Equipment to Lebanon & Wapakoneta
Shortly after an ultrasound machine was installed at Elizabeth’s New Life Center’s (ENLC) Women’s Center in Lebanon, the staff performed a scan on a young woman with no support who was fearful of going through her pregnancy alone. While receptive to the center’s services and discussion of her options, she hadn’t ruled out abortion. During followup visits, she gained trust, and a second ultrasound gave her the opportunity to see how the baby was growing. In the meantime, she reconnected with the baby’s father, who joined her for an appointment and committed to being there for her and the child. When they left, abortion was no longer a consideration and the parents’ focus was the baby’s welfare and appropriate pre-natal care.
This lifesaving change of hearts was possible through the generosity of parishioners at St. Margaret of York (SMOY), dedication of the parish’s Respect Life ministry, and the Knights of Columbus Council 13429. The Knights’ Ultrasound Initiative, launched in 2009, provides ultrasound machines to qualifying pregnancy help centers around the country.
Spearheading the effort was Erin Flege, SMOY’s Respect Life coordinator for nearly 11 years. “We’ve always been a very pro-life parish and have had such great support from our pastors, including our current pastor, Father Jason Bedel,” she explained. “We’re involved in a variety of projects, such as sponsoring prayer days during 40 Days for Life and partnering with Old St. Mary’s Pregnancy Center in Over-the-Rhine to provide monetary and material donations.”
Flege was already aware of the Knights’ national Ultrasound
We've got your cape! Join us in the fight. SupportPCE.com
Initiative and was compelled to act on the local level, so she brought the idea to Father Bedel after last year’s March for Life in Washington, D.C. Because the parish already had a working relationship with ENCL, the ministry was a natural choice to receive an ultrasound machine.
On Memorial Day weekend 2019, Flege and Chris Chalifoux, representing the Knights, spoke at every Mass. As they discussed the initiative, Flege, a mother of eight, shared footage from one of her own ultrasounds. The response from the parish was overwhelming, with the results from a raffle and loose donations yielding more than $27,000. Combined with matching funds from the Knights, a much-needed machine was purchased for ENLC, with money to spare.
After exploring various options and consulting with Bob Wurzelbacher, director of the archdiocesan Office for Respect Life Ministries, the additional funds purchased a machine for the Family Life Center of Auglaize County (FLCAC) in Wapakoneta. Father Bedel blessed FLCAC’s machine and prayed for the women who would seek assistance on July 25.
Both centers “were just elated and very, very grateful,” to receive the equipment, Flege said. “If we can save just one life, it’s worth it. We pray that through our efforts and the generosity of the SMOY parishioners, hearts will be changed and lives will be saved for generations yet to be seen.”
Alisa Manion, manager of the Lebanon center, spoke of the new ultrasound machine’s impact on their ministry. “It’s certainly an asset to our medical staff members, with the ease of scanning and all of the bells and whistles,’’ she said. “It gives all of the staff members a state of confidence and many tools to provide as much information as possible. The bottom line: Having the tools to provide state of the art information in a professional setting, and a plan to meet, follow up and provide love to our clients, can make huge different in an outcome.”
The success of the Ultrasound Initiative at SMOY is personally gratifying for Flege because of her own experience with pregnancy and motherhood. “With every child I’ve carried, I feel that it’s the one moment that I can understand the mind of God,” she said. “You just love that baby so completely, without knowing what the future holds, how the child will turn out. In that moment, nothing matters else matters except how much you love them.”
Respect Life issues “weigh heavy on my mind,” she added. “When women consider abortion as the only option, it breaks my heart. They are women who need our love, not our judgment, and everyone has a role to play in promoting a culture of life, whether it’s as a prayer warrior or donating financially. Everyone’s gifts matter and there is much work to be done.”
Evening for Life
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Featuring Speaker, Allie Stuckey
Information for this virtual event CincinnatiRighttoLife.org or 513-728-7870
Congratulations 175th ANNIVERSARY
On behalf of our local ministries and our exceptional alumni, the Marianist Province of the United States joins in celebrating the 175th Anniversary of the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains a an nd d i it ts s d de es si ig gn na at ti io on n a as s a a Minor Basilica.
Celebrating 200 years of Marianist Education
St. Antoninus & St. Peter in Chains, pray for us. From St. Antoninus Parish
The Sisters of Charity arrived in Cincinnati in 1829 to open St. Peter’s school and orphanage for girls. Inspired by the spirit of Elizabeth Seton, the orphans and Sisters found comfort and peace attending Sunday Mass at the Cathedral in those earliest days.
www.srcharitycinti.org https://www.facebook.com/sistersofcharityofcincinnati
Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s ST. PETER IN CHAINS CATHEDRAL NAMED MINOR BASILICA as It Celebrates 175 Years
BY EILEEN CONNELLY, OSU
Archbishop Schnurr reads Pope Francis’ proclamation at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains during Mass on the Assumption of Mary, Aug. 15. (Photo by Emma Cassani)
For its 175-year history, the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains in Downtown Cincinnati has stood as a testament of the faith of Catholics in the archdiocese. The impressive Greek Revival structure, located at the intersection of Eighth and Plum Streets, is dedicated to the imprisonment and liberation of St. Peter.
Its recent designation as a Minor Basilica, the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is both an honor for the region and reason for the local faithful to celebrate, said Father Jan Schmidt, rector since 2017. “It’s the quality of the cathedral’s structure, the absolute beauty of its architecture, and the biblical symbolism throughout that make it very important and very special for the archdiocese and in the American Catholic scene,” he said. “I also have a deep love for the cathedral personally. It was my father’s parish, my parents were married there and, as a seminarian, I lived there while ministering in Over-the-Rhine.”
It’s important to understand the difference between a cathedral and a basilica, Father Schmidt noted. A cathedral is the home church for the bishop or archbishop of a Catholic diocese, and takes its name from the Latin word “cathedra,” meaning “seat” or “chair.” A basilica is an important church building designated by the pope for its special spiritual, architectural and/or historical significance. It shares a special relationship with the See of Rome and with the Holy Father.
The cornerstone for St. Peter in Chains was laid on May 20, 1841, under the leadership of Bishop – later Archbishop – John Baptist Purcell. Henry Walter designed the cathedral’s exterior. It was formally dedicated on Nov. 2, 1845. Its striking single spire, constructed of pure white limestone and soaring 220-feet above street level, was the tallest man-made structure in the city for many decades. The cathedral’s interior is dominated by a large mosaic portraying three scriptural events from the life of St. Peter. It’s eclectic architectural and design style also incorporate artistic inspiration from diverse sources, including Art Deco, Ancient Greek, Eastern Christian and early Roman Christian basilica architecture. A renovation of the structure, overseen by Edward Schulte, was completed in 1957.
Father Jan Schmidt, rector of the cathedral basilica, holds the proclamation during a press conference. (Photo by Emma Cassani)
Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. and the clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Louisville send congratulations and best wishes to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, Cincinnati, OH, as it celebrates 175 years and the honor of being designated a minor basilica, the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati.
From Coldwater Cluster of Catholic Parishes: St. Anthony St. Mary Holy Trinity Visitors to Cincinnati, who may expect a Gothic-style cathedral, are surprised to see a structure that resembles a government building.
“Bishop Purcell was very insightful about that,” Father Schmidt explained. “Amid the antiCatholicism of the time, he wanted the cathedral to be a statement that the Catholic Church was a permanent institution on American soil and that Catholics were just as American as the Protestant population.”
The application process to become a basilica is detailed and lengthy, said Father Schmidt; in the case of St. Peter in Chains cathedral, it was more than two years. In order for a church to be considered for the designation, it must meet six requirements: have an active pastoral liturgy (meaning the sacraments
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cathedral on its 175 years!
From Guardian Angels & St. Jerome Churches
are celebrated regularly throughout the year); be of an appropriate size and have a sufficiently large sanctuary; have historical significance; have an adequate number of priests to celebrate the sacraments; have a sufficient number of lay ministers; and have an adequate schola of scared music.
Upon determining the cathedral met all the requirements, Father Schmidt gathered a committee of staff members and others from the archdiocese who compiled a 240-page document, including responding to more than 100 specific questions from the Vatican. After review by Archbishop Dennis M. Schurr, the proposal was sent to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and, ultimately, to the Congregation for Divine Worship and
BISHOP EDWARD MALESIC AND THE CLERGY, RELIGIOUS, AND FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF CLEVELAND JOIN WITH THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI IN CELEBRATING THE
AND ITS DESIGNATION AS A MINOR BASILICA
e Region of St. Augustine and St. Mary of the Assumption parishes would like to Congratulate the Cathedral on its 175th anniversary.
A Mass to mark the designation is tentatively scheduled for Nov. 3, in a combined celebration with the cathedral’s 175th anniversary, he said. The liturgy will be open to the people of the archdiocese and will also be livestreamed.
Two major symbols that indicate a church is a minor basilica will be processed in and installed during the ceremony.
The Ombrellino, “little umbrella,” is in basilicas worldwide, signifying the structure’s close ties with the Holy See. The silk canopy is designed with stripes of red and gold, which are the traditional papal colors. During the Middle Ages, the Ombrellino was carried above the pope during processions. Once placed in
1619 California Avenue Cincinnati, OH 45237 513.242.0400 resurrectioncinci.org
Psalm 84:1
Questions about cremation? We can help!
Live Jesus in our hearts . . . _____________ _____________lasallehs.net
Give the gift of peace of mind to your family. Preplanning is a wise decision that shows you care and emphasizes the importance of your faith to your family and friends.
the cathedral’s sanctuary, it will remain partially opened. The Ombrellino would only be fully opened in the event of a visit from the Holy Father.
The Tintinnabulum is essentially a bell, or, in the case of a cathedral, three bells, mounted on a pole that signifies the church’s link to the pope. It was used during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods to alert the people of Rome to the arrival of the pope during papal processions. The Tintinnabulum will also be in the sanctuary, where it can be used during other celebrations. A special Mass of Thanksgiving Will be celebrated at the
Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains
on
Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11:30 a.m.
To mark the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the dedication of the church.
During the Mass, the symbols granted in virtue of the church’s designation as a minor basilica will debut for the first time.
H I G H S C H O O L
Seton High School is proud to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of St. Peter in Chains.
May God bless the Archdiocese and e Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. Reverend Kenneth Schartz, St. Mary Hyde Park
WWW.SMCHP.COM
St. Peter in Chains
A HISTORY OF CINCINNATI’S NEW BASILICA
Dec. 17, 1826
New St. Peter Cathedral dedicated on Sycamore and 6th Streets.
May 20, 1841
Cornerstone laid for the new cathedral. “First and most urgent want of this diocese is a suitable cathedral.”
July 19, 1850
Cincinnati elevated to rank of Metropolitan See. St. Peter in Chains becomes a Metropolitan Cathedral.
1871
Complete renovation of the cathedral. Sanctuary enlarged. Stained glass windows added. Marble enhancement of the main altar.
July 8-10, 1890
The second Congress of American Colored Catholics was held at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral.
1917 600 men attend a retreat at the cathedral prior to enlisting to serve in World War I.
1820 1840 1850 1870 1890 1900 1910 1920
Nov. 2, 1845
Consecration of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral Dec. 1, 1840 Lot purchased on 8th and Plum Streets for erection of new cathedral. Aug. 7, 1855 New cathedral is completed with the finishing of the front portico.
1876 Archbishop Purcell is the first bishop in the U.S. to celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination. Cathedral is the site of a “grand celebration,” with bishops from throughout the U.S.
Oct. 31, 1904
Death of Archbishop Elder. 10,000 people gather to witness the transfer of his body to the cathedral. The funeral was one of the largest and most distinguished gatherings of clergy ever assembled in Cincinnati.
Oct. 24, 1920
Cathedral celebrates its 75th anniversary.
1938 Nov. 29, 1964
Aug. 13, Cathedral Archbishop 1925 status Alter celebrates
Cardinal transferred Mass
Mundelein from St. Peter inaugurating presides at the installation of Archbishop John McNicholas, O.P., as Archbishop of Cincinnati. in Chains to St. Monica, Clifton Heights. Nov. 3, 1957 Rededication of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral after 5 years of complete renovation and expansion. the use of English. It was aired live on local TV. Sept. 2, 1976 St. Pope John Paul II, then Cardinal Archbishop of Krakow, visits the Cathedral.
Nov. 5, 1995 150th Anniversary of the Cathedral’s Consecration Mass celebrated by Archbishop Pilarczyk and other bishops.
Oct. 3, 2018 Visitors line the block all day for a chance to venerate relics of St. Padre Pio on special display at Cathedral
1930 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990
1937 Cathedral organizes a Red Cross Unit to assist in relief efforts with the disastrous 1937 flood.
Oct. 1, 1961
Third Order of St. Francis sponsors a rally for interracial understanding at the Cathedral.
1951 Archbishop Alter declares “we are going home” beginning a 5 year process of renovation and reconstruction of the cathedral.
Dec. 20, 1982 Archbishop Pilarczyk installed as Archbishop of Cincinnati.
June 5, 1975 Archbishop Joseph Bernardin reconsecrates the Archdiocese to the Sacred Heart of Mary during a solemn Mass at the Cathedral.
2000 2010
Dec. 7, 2008 Archbishop Dennis Schnurr formally welcomed to the Archdiocese of Cincinnati as Coadjutor Archbishop.
Men for Christ
Annual Eucharistic Procession Through Downtown Cincinnati Unites Men in Public Prayer
BY BONNY VAN
When more than 500 men – fathers, husbands, sons, brothers, religious and faithful – gather in downtown Cincinnati on Sat., Oct. 17, they will be walking with Jesus in the lead for the sixth annual Men’s Holy Name Society Eucharistic Procession. The event, which began in 2015, is a resurrected version of a parade of prayerful men through Cincinnati from the 1940s until the 1960s, sponsored by a similarly named group.
David Willig, a parishioner at St. Antonius Church in Cincinnati, said a group of fellow parishioners used the Men’s Holy Name Society from the earlier era as a model for their own newly formed organization and recreated the parade one year after their formation, in 2015. Willig said the inspiration for reviving the public Eucharistic procession came from Father Al Lauer, former pastor of Old St. Mary’s Church in Cincinnati, who spoke about “re-establishing strong Catholic traditions that have discontinued.”
“Father Lauer mentioned the Men’s Holy Name Society Parade where men from every parish in the archdiocese came together and marched through downtown Cincinnati and ended up with benediction at Crosley Field,” said Willig, who along with fellow parishioner Doug Jaeger, organized the event. Following Mass celebrated by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, the Eucharist procession begins at 9 a.m. from the basilica, led by Father Jon-Paul Bevak, pastor of Old St. Mary’s Church. According to Willig, Father Bevak will be followed “by the brothers from the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Mt. St. Mary’s seminarians, Dominican novices from St. Gertrude Church, Knights of Columbus, the Order of Hibernian and our Catholic men.”
The first stop is District One of the Cincinnati Police Department with benediction and special prayers. “We’ve been doing that for years,” said Willig. “We stop at the police headquarters and pray for all of our police, emergency workers, firefighters, and we pray for their protection and the end of violence in our cities.”
The next stop is St. Francis Seraph Church for benediction and more prayers for the church’s ministries. Besides a church parish, St. Francis Seraph has a school and provides nutritional programs for residents in the neighborhood. Brother Tim Sucher, OFM, of St. Francis Church, said the church’s meal program provides 200 meals for breakfast and 200 meals in the evening for those in need. Brother Sucher, a native of Cincinnati, remembered the Holy Name Procession when he was growing up.
“That was just a great symbol of people of faith and kind of publicly professing that, and I think that’s what this is as well,” said Brother Sucher. “It’s a public display of an expression of faith. And, so it’s not just the people in the procession, but I think it’s everybody who sees it when it goes by. It’s a powerful public symbol.”
The final destination is Old St. Mary’s Church with benediction and prayers, ending at 11 a.m.
THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR
CONGRATULATE THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CINCINNATI ON THE 175th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PETER IN CHAINS AND ITS DESIGNATION AS A MINOR BASILICA
SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR — Providing Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati since 1840
“You know, it really brings the faith back because it’s a very prayerful,” said Willig. “We’re singing very powerful hymns; we’re praying the Rosary all the time; we’re praying the litany; we’re walking through some very difficult parts of this city where people are blaspheming Christ and other people are kneeling down and genuflecting before the Eucharist.
Early Sixth Street Pupils — Cincinnati, OH
SNDdeN 2020 minor basilica congratulations ad.indd 1 sndohio.org
8/27/2020 1:57:28 PM
“And then we go down Main Street and all these kids are taking pictures with their iPhones, so it’s pretty a marvelous experience, being part of it. And toward the end, people were saying, ‘I’m coming next year and I’m bringing 10 men with me.’ ”
The theme for this year’s Catholic Men’s Eucharistic Procession is “Take Courage, It is I, Do Not Be Afraid” (Mt 14:27), a reference to Jesus calming the apostles during the storm. Willig said that message is reflected in the “storms” facing Catholic men today with attacks on the Church, religious freedom, marriage, family and the unborn.
“I think it has a lot more significance this year, certainly to not be afraid, especially since nationwide our Church is under attack, with the burning at the Santa Barbara church and defacing statues and decapitating the Blessed Mother. It’s a time where Catholic men need to stand up and say, ‘Hey, we’re Catholic and we’ll defend our Church if we need to,’ ” said Willig.
“I think it’s really important that we come out with our faith especially with all the things that are going on in our neighborhood,” said Brother Sucher. “Earlier this year, we had a number of people out, protesting against police violence and injustices and the like, recently we had 10 people shot just a block away from here. Two people were killed in that shooting. So there’s a lot of unrest here as well, so I think it’s a great opportunity to pray publicly for all of that.”
All Saints and St. Vincent Ferrer
are excited to join in the celebration of
And Its Designation as a Minor Basilica
Fr. J. Dennis Jaspers, Pastor
Congratulations on the
175th Anniversary
of
The Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio sistersosf.org
1
Did you know that basilicas date back to the Roman Empire? Yes, in ancient Rome they had basilicas. But, they were a bit different from what we have today. Romans used basilicas as public gathering spaces for markets, civic administration and court. The basilica was the epicenter of a bustling city.
2
In 313 AD, Emperor Constantine made Christianity (along with other religions) legal in Rome with the Edict of Milan. Roman basilicas transformed into churches – places of worship. When building new churches, Christians began to adopt the basilica structure and floorplan. As a result, Roman basilica architecture still influences church architecture, even today.
4
DID YOU KNOW?
While many cathedrals are named basilicas due to their importance, any church can be named a basilica as long as they meet certain basic requirements. The church must: •have regular celebrations of the sacraments. •be of sufficient size. •be historically significant. •have an adequate number of priests to serve its needs. •have a sufficient number of lay ministers. • have an adequate sacred music schola. Churches have to submit highly-detailed applications to the Vatican in order to claim the basilica designation. St. Peter in Chains’ application was 240 pages long!
3
Our cathedral, St. Peter in Chains, is now a minor basilica! Okay, hold on, is it still a cathedral? Yes, it is BOTH! It is now called the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. To clarify: a cathedral is any church that is the “seat” of a bishop. There is one cathedral per diocese. A basilica is any church named highly important by the pope based on its historical or cultural importance, its art or beauty, its significance in the liturgical life of the Church or a variety of these attributes.
DID YOU KNOW?
In total, there are more than 1,800 basilicas around the world, many of which are in Italy. Including St. Peter in Chains, there are now 89 basilicas in the U.S. (87 in the continental U.S. and 2 in Puerto Rico). St. Peter in Chains is the sixth basilica in Ohio, but the first in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati!
6
Every basilica has the right to keep special items such as the Ombrellino (a ceremonial umbrella) and the Tintinnabulum (a little bell), which are symbols of a basilica’s special connection to the papacy. Each basilica has its own unique coat of arms and is permitted to display the Papal Cross Keys— another special sign of unity with the papacy. A person can receive a special indulgence for devoutly visiting a basilica.
Minor Basilica Proclamation
At the request of his Excellency and Most Reverend Dennis Marion Schnurr, Archbishop of Cincinnati, with his letter from the 18th of August 2019 expressing the prayers and desires of the clergy and all the Christian faithful, the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments by the power of the particular faculties conferred to it by the Supreme Pontiff, FRANCIS, most willingly bestows upon the Cathedral Church of Cincinnati, dedicated to God in honor of Saint Peter “in Chains” the title and dignity of a MINOR BASILICA with all the corresponding rights and customary liturgical privileges, all things being rightly observed in accordance with the decree Concerning the Title of Minor Basilica “Domus Ecclesiae,” issued on the 9th of November 1989.
All things to the contrary notwithstanding.
From the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, on the Solemnity of the Apostles St. Peter and Paul, the 29th day of June of the year 2020.
Arturus Roche Archbishop Secretary
Mouradis Manon R. P. Conradus Maggioni, S.M.M. Undersecretary
How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord God of hosts!
SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, Harrison rejoices with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati on the 175th anniversary of our cathedral and its designation as a Minor Basilica.
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains! From Our Lady of Grace Parish, Dayton
S ER I L A V A C RD A W ON | GETHER O T
CONGRATULATIONS to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains from St. Louis, North Star & St. Nicholas, Osgood Parishes
