Farewell Archbishop Burke

Archbishop Emeritus Raymond Leo Burke, now Prefect of the Aposolic Signatura, was the main celebrant and homilist at his farewell Mass on Sunday, August 17 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis. It was standing room only with over 1,500 in attendance. The Mass was beautiful and at times emotional. We are grateful to have been able to participate in this wonderful celebration. On June 27, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Archbishop Burke to be prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura in Rome. At that moment he ceased to be Archbishop of St. Louis and became Archbishop Emeritus. During his four and a half years as Archbishop, Burke touched many people in this Archdiocese. Archbishop Burke was always very accessible to his flock. He was incredibly supportive of the Catholic homeschool community and even presided at one of our Homeschool Confirmation Masses. We will miss him, but we are grateful for the time he spent with us. Now that we have said our goodbyes, we anxiously await our new shepherd.

“My greatest joy is to teach the faith and celebrate the Sacraments for the flock which God has entrusted to my pastoral care. Having been called by Christ to the priesthood, I am ever more humbled by the reality of the priestly life and ministry. At the same time, I am filled with confidence, because the ministry belongs to Christ Whom I, through no merit of mine, have the privilege to serve.”
— Archbishop Raymond Leo Burke

More on Archbishop Burke’s farewell:
The St. Louis Archdiocesan website pays tribute to Archbishop Burke with an article, a photo gallery, and a pdf of the Farewell Mass Progam. Newly added: Archbishop Burke’s final homily at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis, August 17, 2008 and Photo Gallery: Farewell.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch has an article and a slideshow of Sunday’s Farewell Mass.

Rome of the West has beautiful photos of this beautiful Mass.

My family with Archbishop Burke at daughter #3’s Confirmation in 2006