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Pilgrims, clergy, friends, gather for 150th Mass in Rome

Paulist President Father John F. Duffy, C.S.P., proclaims the Gospel at Santa Susanna March 2.

by Stefani Manowski

Blue skies dotted by cotton ball clouds and a cool breeze greeted clergy, parishioners, friends as they entered a packed Church of Santa Susanna Church in Rome to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Paulist Fathers. Some 30 Paulist pilgrims from across the Unites States joined the congregation as part of their Hecker Week in Rome – a 150th anniversary event - spiritual journey.

A portrait of Paulist founder Father Isaac Hecker is displayed alongside other items at Santa Susanna's Hecker Week mass.

The glory of God radiated through the ornate church as the clergy processed in to celebrate the memorable liturgy.

In his homily presider Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and former archbishop of San Francisco, reminded those gathered of the thousands of people – especially American residents and visitors to Rome – ministered to by the Paulist Fathers.

“At the same time Father Hecker received his dispensation from his orders as a Redemptorist, he received a new commitment to evangelize his native country during the uncertain times preceding the Civil War and anti-Catholicism as waves of Catholic immigrants from Europe came to America,” he said.

“Father Hecker had a vision of a nation under God, a nation where faith and reason were understood and lived,” Cardinal Levada continued. “He was a man who anticipated the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. May we all be enriched by the example and zeal of Father Isaac Hecker. May we offer gratitude for the service and prayerful support for the work of the Paulist Fathers.”

After Communion, Father John F. Duffy offered the following remarks:

Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, delivers the homily at the 150th Anniversary liturgy at Santa Susanna Church in Rome March 2. Cardinal Levada presided at the Mass.

“This Thursday, March 6, will mark the 150th anniversary of that day when the papal decree of Blessed Pius IX, Nuper Nonnulli, set Father Hecker and his four companions on a course that would lead to the founding of the Paulist Fathers under the sponsorship of Archbishop Hughes in New York.

“It is ever so fitting that we celebrate this fact in Rome, and ever so fitting that we do so in this church. Cardinal Allesandro Barnabo, who was ever so supportive of Father Hecker during his seven months in Rome prior to the decree, was not only prefect of the Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith but from 1856 until 1874 was the cardinal priest of this very church. Furthermore, it is so appropriate that we celebrate in this city for during that time when he was here from late summer 1857 until that fateful day in March Father Hecker's passionate belief that the American principles of freedom and democracy if combined with the teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ as proclaimed by the Catholic Church could make of the United States a light to the nations that would grow. His driving conviction and dream of a Catholic America would deepen ever so much. Yes, this city of Rome and this community of Santa Susanna are closely intertwined with the beginnings of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle. That is why we celebrate here today.

Santa Susanna pastor Father Gregory Apparcel, C.S.P., welcomes the congregation to the parish's 150th Anniversary ligurgy on March 2, 2008 in Rome.

“Father Hecker believed in the guidance of the Spirit to help our community read the signs of the times and meet the needs of the church in the modern age. Reflecting upon those beliefs, to me it is ever so evident that the mission of the Paulists of the Paulists to the church in North America continues to be vital today,

“… Five weeks ago today this very day at our mother church of St. Paul the Apostle, Edward Cardinal Egan presided at liturgy. We began in the back of the church with prayers at the tomb of Father Hecker; at the end of the liturgy in a ceremony presided over by the cardinal, the cause for the canonization of Father Hecker was formally opened. He is now a Servant of God. Indeed we thank the Lord for this gift to the life of the church that is this Servant of God Isaac Thomas Hecker. May he continue to inspire not just present-day Paulists, but many others to evangelize, to reconcile, to seek Christian unity and interfaith understanding. Amen.”

Read past Paulist Profiles here