Cardinal Foley Returns to Hawk Hill
Jan 30, 2008
Foley, '57, celebrates "Thanksgiving Mass" on campus.
(sjuhawknews.com, 1/30/08) One of Saint Joseph's University's most famous graduates returned to campus Sunday to celebrate mass with students, faculty, and fellow alumni.
His eminence, Cardinal John P. Foley, '57, led a special "Mass of Thanksgiving," just days after returning from a trip to the Middle East.
Flanked by 11 other St. Joe's priests, including Father Lannon, Cardinal Foley spoke fondly about his alma mater, and reflected on his experiences on campus as an undergraduate.
"I am very grateful for my vocation, which was preserved at Saint Joseph's University," he said.
The Chapel of Saint Joseph was filled to capacity for the 11 a.m. mass, where members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre and graduates from the St. Joe's Class of '57 joined current students for the special event.
The Saint Joseph's University alma mater was selected as the opening hymn, and throughout the morning, the well-established Catholic traditions of St. Joe's shone through.
"It is very important that one of ours is now a Cardinal and coming back to say mass. There is symbolism in an alumnus like that returning to Saint Joseph's," said Fr. Lannon
Fr. Lannon stressed that Cardinal Foley's visit serves as yet another indication of the great tradition that has been established at St. Joe's.
"It started with the leadership of Father Rashford, and continued with the leadership we've had from trustees and alumni. The students love this place, and the alumni love this place," he said.
Cardinal Foley was, in fact, the catalyst for Sunday's mass, and recently began the entire process by contacting Fr. Lannon to offer assistance to his alma mater.
"Just after he was named a Cardinal, he called me and said that he wanted to help Saint Joseph's University in any way he could. I told him it would be wonderful for him to come say Mass here."
During the Mass, Fr. Lannon said that both he and the St. Joe's community were, "proud and privileged to call [Cardinal Foley] a son of Saint Joseph's University."
Many current students attended the mass as well, including Paul Crisafulli, '09.
"I've been going to mass here every week for three years, but this is the most special one I've been to," he said.
"It's real cool to know that someone so high in the church is a St. Joe's grad."
While on campus as an undergraduate, Cardinal Foley was deeply immersed in the St. Joe's community. He was active in a number of student organizations, and served as Student Body President before graduating summa cum laude, with a degree in history.
His Eminence was active within the church while at St. Joe's, attending Mass every day and serving the community on a weekly basis. Apparently, many of his classmates foresaw his future in the church, often referring to him as, "Your Foleyness."
Cardinal Foley's visit to St. Joe's came in the wake of a recent trip to the Middle East. He visited representing the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, a group dedicated to protecting the Christian minority in the Holy Land. Pope Benedict XVI named Cardinal Foley the Grand Master of the order in June 2007, only five months before he was elevated to Cardinal.
Cardinal Foley Returns to Hawk Hill