This afternoon, Palm Sunday 2012, His Eminence, Edward
Cardinal Egan, JCD, preached Solemn Vespers and Benediction. He was the final preacher for our Sunday Vespers highlighting Great Preachers.
His Eminence's presence among
us, along with his priest secretary Father Brendan Fitzgerald, was a very delightful
experience; it was a joy to hear about things historical and present. Time spent with the Cardinal and Father Brendan a perfect ending to the day and perfect beginning to Holy Week.
Cardinal Egan celebrates his 80th birthday. Canonically, he loses his right, responsibility and duty to enter a conclave to elect a pope. He will likely be attending to fewer things in Rome as travel is getting more and more difficult.
The Cardinal's preaching was a fine opening to Holy Week. Domine, quo vadis? He focussed our
attention on 1 Peter 1:18-21:
Realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct, handed on by your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold but with the precious blood of Christ as of a spotless unblemished lamb. He was known before the foundation of the world but revealed in the final time for you, who through him believe in God who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
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