Archbishop Burke. God Bless You and Thank You!

Below is a short pictorial of today's standing room only Celebration of the Eucharist and Farewell from the Archdiocese of St. Louis to The Most Reverend Raymond Leo Burke, Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, and Archbishop Emeritus of St. Louis at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis...


Archbishop Burke proceeds toward the Sanctuary flanked by Knights of Columbus Honor Guards.


Archbishop Burke greets one of the faithful.


As the cathedra is vacant, Archbishop Burke did not occupy the marble seat where the faithful had become familiar seeing him and where his Coat of Arms had previously hung. Here he sits on the opposite side while one of the lectors reads the 2nd Reading.


Archbishop Burke gives his homily from the ambo.


Archbishop Burke hugs his sister, who with her husband were among the gift bearers at today's Mass.


At the conclusion of Holy Mass, Archbishop Burke offer thanks to all who helped in preparing for the liturgy and to all the faithful of St Louis. He also promised to continue to pray for us and asked all of us to pray for him as well. This was an emotionally trying time for many of us and for our spiritual father, Archbishop Burke.


At the recessional, Archbishop Burke reaches out to comfort his sister, who like others was in tears.


On leaving the Cathedral for what may be the last time, His Excellency imparts his blessing to the faithful.


Archbishop Burke listens intently, as he always does, to one of the hundreds of faithful who gathered to wish him farewell and thanks for his courageous leadership and fidelity.

It's difficult to accept the fact that he is leaving us and many hearts grieve. Many have nurtured a deeper faith and understanding because he was our shepherd. May all faithful Catholics continue to pray for him and remember to give thanks to Our Lord that He saw fit to grant us such a wonderful bishop, although it was such a short time. Many Catholics across this country have yearned for a bishop like Archbishop Burke, and now, we are now numbered among them.

May God bless Archbishop Raymond L. Burke and may our Blessed Mother cover him with the mantle of her protection!
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The Archdiocese has more here:
Archbishop Burke Leaves His Mark on the Life of the Church

Archbishop Burke Photo Gallery

Farewell Mass Program (440.22 Kb PDF file)

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The Post Dispatch has an article here.

Jesus Enthroned as ‘King, Friend’ of Archdiocese

SHRINE BLESSING — Archbishop Raymond L. Burke blesses the new Shrine to the Sacred Heart at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis on June 17.

Archbishop Burke's homily for the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus can be read here.


CONSECRATING HEARTS TO HIS — Archbishop Raymond L. Burke leads the prayer by priests of the archdiocese and the faithful who attended the dedication of the new Shrine to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis following the 5 p.m. Mass June 17.

Photos by: Rebecca Venegoni Tower

Archbishop Raymond L. Burke led the enthronement, blessing and dedication of the image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the end of 5 p.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis.

The historic event included the unveiling of the cathedral basilica’s newest addition, the Shrine to the Most Sacred Heart.

The striking mosaic and marble free-standing shrine seemed aglow in the warm, golden rays of early evening sunshine streaming through the stained glass in the west transept.

A procession of priests, deacons and seminarians more than 50 strong came down from the main altar to form a crescent around the shrine. Men and women religious and a large crowd of faithful gathered around them.

Among those in attendance were several religious orders, including members of the Benedictines, Carmelite Religious of Trivandrum, India, Carmelite Sisters of the Divine Heart of Jesus, Daughters of St. Paul, Franciscan Sisters of the Martyr St. George, Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, Missionaries of Charity, Oblates of Wisdom and the Society Devoted to the Sacred Heart.

This article from the Review can be read here.

Costliest Cathedral Ever Built in U.S?

According to the Oakland Tribune, the city’s rising Cathedral of Christ the Light complex is “the most expensive in American history.” The complex, which includes the nuclear reactor-like church itself, chapels, a plaza, a mausoleum, a conference center, diocesan offices, “gathering places,” and Bishop Allen Vigneron’s residence, is currently running about $190 million – $10 million more than the Los Angeles archdiocese’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, which opened in 2002.

Installation of Shrine of the Sacred Heart at Cathedral Basilica

What a beautiful and wonderful event this was...Many priests, sisters and nuns, and what looked to be a packed cathedral...Sometime tomorrow or so I'll have some pics and/or links to pictures and more information...Coming home from the Cathedral turned out to be about 3.5 hours due to construction delays...

Sacred Heart Shrine Is for Everyone

...says Father Thomas G. Keller, archdiocesan promoter of the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

"This shrine will be a representation of God’s enduring love for us, Jesus’ enduring love for his Church. It’s an invitation for everyone, not just the people of the Cathedral Basilica Parish, but the whole archdiocese and even people who visit the cathedral from around the world," said Father Keller.

The key, he said, is that the shrine is "an invitation to come to a deeper love for our Lord."
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...Archbishop Raymond Burke intends to consecrate the archdiocese to the Sacred Heart when the image is installed. The enthronement and consecration will be at a 5 p.m. Mass June 17, the Sunday after the June 15 Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

As noted earlier, here are some great pics.

Donations marked for the shrine’s construction may be sent to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, 4431 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108. For information call (314) 373-8200.

Source: St Louis Review.