Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Happy Feast of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom!
I’m writing today from Orlando, where the bishops of our country are gathering for their spring meeting. I’m excited that we will be coming together this Thursday afternoon to consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus as we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The consecration will take place in conjunction with a Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady, Queen of the Universe. What a great title for the Blessed Mother! It was a designation attributed to Mary in one of the documents of the Second Vatican Council (Lumen Gentium 58), and it seems to be totally fitting for the Mother of Jesus, the King of the Universe. In the ancient world, the “Queen Mother” was always given great honor.
The many titles given to Mary can be confusing: I once overheard a child innocently asking his grandmother whether Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes were cousins! How wonderful that we can appeal to Mary under her various titles, depending on our needs. When I first arrived here and we were in the midst of what seemed to be our insurmountable legal challenges, I frequently turned to her as “Our Lady, Undoer of Knots.” In praying for the sick, I’ve sought her help as “Our Lady, Help of the Sick,” and for priestly vocations, “Our Lady, Queen of Priests.” I’m convinced that it was “Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom” who found us our new Archdiocesan superintendent of schools. (Welcome, Deacon Michael McGinty!)
I feel blessed that I was named a bishop on the feast of “Our Lady of the Rosary” (October 7th), named coadjutor archbishop of Newark on the feast of “Our Lady of Mercy” (Sept. 24), and installed as archbishop here on the feast of “Our Lady of Fatima” (May 13). Mary’s been with me at every step.
It seems, moreover, that every ethnic group in our archdiocese has a favorite title for, and image of, Our Lady as well. I’ve been given a beautiful image of Our Lady in traditional Hmong attire, another in Vietnamese garb, and a third in which she is depicted as “Our Lady of Palestine.” “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” moreover, has pride of place in our Mexican communities, “Our Lady of Knock” among the Irish, and “Our Lady of Czestochowa” in our parishes with large Polish populations.
When I first visited Sts. Cyril and Methodius parish in Northeast Minneapolis, I asked how it became our largest Ecuadorean parish and learned that an immigrant family trying to discern which parish they should join went from parish to parish with a statue of Our Lady of the Cloud, an image revered in Ecuador. When the then-pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius allowed them to display their statue in his church, they knew that they were meant to become members there. The rest is history.
Our Lady always leads us to her son, Jesus, and wants nothing more than for us to accept him in our heart. I’m confident that she will be thrilled by this week’s consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart.
I celebrated Mass this past Saturday at “The Little French Church,” St. Louis King of France, as the parish bade farewell to the Marist Fathers, the religious community that has served there for 140 years! There are many reasons to be grateful to the Marists, but I’ll always be particularly appreciative that they, true to their charism, have left a notable Marian imprint on this Archdiocese. Merci beaucoup!
If you’re looking for a summer challenge for your family, I invite you to make a Marian pilgrimage. If you’re adventurous, the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (the only approved Marian apparition in our country) could be a good choice, as would the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse. Closer to home, I would strongly encourage you to visit the prayer garden at St. Nicholas in Carver—it is a peaceful spot with shrines to Our Lady from all over the world. I bet it will remind you that she is indeed “Queen of the Universe.”
I feel blessed that I was named a bishop on the feast of “Our Lady of the Rosary” (October 7th), named coadjutor archbishop of Newark on the feast of “Our Lady of Mercy” (Sept. 24), and installed as archbishop here on the feast of “Our Lady of Fatima” (May 13). Mary’s been with me at every step.
It seems, moreover, that every ethnic group in our archdiocese has a favorite title for, and image of, Our Lady as well. I’ve been given a beautiful image of Our Lady in traditional Hmong attire, another in Vietnamese garb, and a third in which she is depicted as “Our Lady of Palestine.” “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” moreover, has pride of place in our Mexican communities, “Our Lady of Knock” among the Irish, and “Our Lady of Czestochowa” in our parishes with large Polish populations.
When I first visited Sts. Cyril and Methodius parish in Northeast Minneapolis, I asked how it became our largest Ecuadorean parish and learned that an immigrant family trying to discern which parish they should join went from parish to parish with a statue of Our Lady of the Cloud, an image revered in Ecuador. When the then-pastor of Sts. Cyril and Methodius allowed them to display their statue in his church, they knew that they were meant to become members there. The rest is history.
Our Lady always leads us to her son, Jesus, and wants nothing more than for us to accept him in our heart. I’m confident that she will be thrilled by this week’s consecration of our nation to the Sacred Heart.
I celebrated Mass this past Saturday at “The Little French Church,” St. Louis King of France, as the parish bade farewell to the Marist Fathers, the religious community that has served there for 140 years! There are many reasons to be grateful to the Marists, but I’ll always be particularly appreciative that they, true to their charism, have left a notable Marian imprint on this Archdiocese. Merci beaucoup!
If you’re looking for a summer challenge for your family, I invite you to make a Marian pilgrimage. If you’re adventurous, the Shrine of Our Lady of Champion (the only approved Marian apparition in our country) could be a good choice, as would the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse. Closer to home, I would strongly encourage you to visit the prayer garden at St. Nicholas in Carver—it is a peaceful spot with shrines to Our Lady from all over the world. I bet it will remind you that she is indeed “Queen of the Universe.”
Healing Mass (June 10)
This Healing Mass will be presided over by Father Zachary Ochsenbauer, Father Brent Bowman, and Father Nick Vance. After Mass, there will be a time for each person to be prayed over individually for physical, spiritual and emotional healing. Prayer teams will also be available.
Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Cathedral of St. Paul (June 12)
At this Mass, a prayer consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be read. After Mass, you are invited to a picnic at the Cathedral, but you must register.
At this Mass, a prayer consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus will be read. After Mass, you are invited to a picnic at the Cathedral, but you must register.
Meet the amazing missionary priest who could be one of Minnesota’s first saints
Msgr. Buh, known as the “Patriarch of the Diocese Duluth,” had a tremendous impact in Minnesota. He served in many roles, including as the first vicar general of Duluth and as the domestic prelate of the pope. He incorporated 57 parishes. He traveled by canoe, horseback, snowshoe, and even train to administer the sacraments. He could speak six languages and used his gifts as a writer, painter and musician.
Read the full story from The Catholic Spirit.
Planting big dreams, 1 dahlia at a time
Maria Czaia still can’t believe that passion and profit intersected for her, allowing the 34-year-old stay-at-home mom to become a flower farmer. But she knows who to credit — and she thanks God daily for the chance to pursue this dream with her husband, Nathan, who recently quit his job to join the business.
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Mercy and mission
Fr. Jim Livingston discusses healing Masses and how the Church understands physical, emotional and spiritual healing through prayer and the sacraments. Then, former Practicing Catholic host Patrick Conley returns to share about his journey toward ordination to the permanent diaconate and the path that has led him to this important milestone.
Visit Practicing Catholic to listen on your favorite podcasting platform. Listen Friday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m., or Sunday at 2 p.m. on Relevant Radio 1330AM.
Only One Thing Is Necessary: How Catholic Families Can Strive To Be United in This Life and the Next
Leading families to heaven
"During the prayer and listening sessions that led up to our 2022 Synod, I heard time and again of the love and concern that reside in the hearts of so many parents in this local Church, who want nothing more than to lead their families to Jesus. They instinctively understand and model what Jesus taught Martha in the midst of her anxiety: “only one thing is necessary,” being with Jesus (Lk 10:42)."
Sent forth by the Holy Spirit to make Jesus known and loved.
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June 8, 2026