Chief
Vatican supporters of the Cause of Beatification of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
gathered recently for a Mass celebrated by His Eminence, Raymond Leo Cardinal
Burke. Present were Monsignor Jason
Gray, the newest member of the Roman Curia from the Diocese of Peoria, who
began in October at the Vatican Congregation for the Causes of Saints, as well
as organizer of the event and long-time Postulator of the Cause of Venerable
Fulton, Dr. Andrea Ambrosi, members of his staff and other supporters.
The
November 3 Mass was celebrated at the Church of the Carmelite Monastery in the
village of Caprarola, about 40 miles to the north of Rome. Caprarola is the site of what has been called
“one of the finest examples of Renaissance Architecture,” the massive pentagon
shaped Villa Farnese. The palace is now
maintained by the Italian State, with it’s “garden cottage” considered
resplendent enough to serve as a Summer residence for the President of Italy
and his retinue. Arriving as they did
after dark, those travelling to the Mass from Rome were guided along the way by
this lighted façade, towering over the village and shining in the
darkness.
Soon
after arrival at the Carmelite Church, His Eminence Cardinal Burke began the
Mass, with the assistance of two chaplains, as called for in the ceremonial of
the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, Frenchman Fr. Gilles Guitard, of the
Institute of Christ the King, His Eminence’s emcee, and Monsignor Richard
Soseman, Coordinator of International Outreach for the Sheen Foundation. Friends of the Sheen Cause will recall that
Monsignor Soseman began his work at the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy
in January, 2008, just as the Diocesan Phase of the Cause concluded. Monsignor Gray attended the Mass vested in
choro. Cardinal Burke spoke quite movingly of the opportuneness of the
advancement of the Sheen Cause, a message taken to heart by all those
present. It was perhaps fitting that
this international celebration take place with the participation of Cardinal
Burke, like Bishop Sheen also proud to be of Irish extraction, and with those
present being native speakers of English, French, Italian, and Latin, the
languages which Bishop Sheen spoke well and knew best.
After
Mass a festive banquet was hosted by Dr. Ambrosi and his wife Rita at their
home in Caprarola. At the dinner, as
course after course was served, conversation often turned toward stories of
Archbishop Sheen, with glowing appreciation of this good and holy
Archbishop. At the end of the evening, those
who were returning to Rome were sent home by Dr. and Mrs. Ambrosi with bags of
toasted hazelnuts, the chief product of the region around Caprarola, having
enjoyed an evening of animated conversation of hope for the future of the
Cause. Venerable Fulton Sheen, Pray for
Us!
Rev. Msgr. Richard Soseman
Congregation for the Clergy
Vatican City
