On June 4, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI named Rev. David O’Donnell CM, stepping down President of Catholic University of America the Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton. Msgr. O’Donnell is member of US Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission. On Friday, July 30 he was ordained bishop at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton during two-and-a-half hour long Mass. Four Cardinals, some 45 bishops and more than 250 priests attended. Taking part in the Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral were Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, and Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler. They were joined by about 45 bishops from around the country, more than 250 priests and dozens of members of various religious orders.
“The length of our days is seventy years —
or eighty, if we have the strength;
yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,
for they quickly pass, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90,10)
On July 20, 2010 in age of 74, 53 years of vocation and 47 years of priesthood, Father Ronald A. WIKTOR CM died at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bridgeport, CT. He was the long time teacher and last Principal, Rector and Superior of St. John Kanty Prep, Erie, PA. Since 2006 he was resident of St. Joseph Manor Rehabilitation & Medical Center, Trumbull, CT. Condolences can be added as commentaries to this post.
Wednesday, July 14 was National Holiday in France. For General Assembly participants this day was marked by Vincentian Family festivity. In the morning representatives of the JMV and SSVP gave their speeches. In the afternoon, at 5:00 PM special Eucharist celebration was held in the chapel of St. Vincent de Paul at Maison Mere. It was presided by Father Jean-Yves Leboeuf (Visitor of Toulouse) and many members of the the Vincentian Family attended. At the end of the Mass there was a surprise. The letter from Pope Benedict XVI to Vicentian Family was read. Here is the text of this very special message from His Holiness:
“To do or not to do” is one of the hihlighted themes in the homily which Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay CM gave during the Eucharist closing the 41st General Assembly. The other developed theme is derrived from the text above the silver coffin holding the body of St. Vincent de Paul – “Pertransit Beneficiendo” (“He went about doing good”). The Eucharist according to the liturgical text of Mass of Saint Vincent de Paul began at noon in the chapel with relics of St. Vincent de Paul at Maison Mere. Fr. Gregory Gay CM, the Superior General presided and all Assistants General concelebrated. Here is the full text of the homily, which one can recognize as Superior’s General exposé for another six years of his mission as the leader of Vincentians Family and Congregation of the Mission:
The Eucharist sang at noon of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Friday, July 16, 2010, in front of the body of St. Vincent de Paul lead the 41st General Assembly of the Congregation of the Mission to the end. Chaired by Superior General, Fr. Gregory Gay CM and concelebrated by all Assistants General. Fr. Eli Dos Santos arrived in Paris yesterday. Liturgy was enriched with beautiful music creating fraternal and joyful atmosphere of prayer. Whatch the video presenting the closing Mass. You may listen to Fr. Greg’s closing homily (starting at 2’22″).
Traditionally at the end of the General Assembly all participants take a group picture. Today it was shot on the stairs in the gardens of Daughters of Charity Motherhouse at 140 Rue du Bac, Paris, France.
No doubts, week two of the Geneal Assembly was considered as the most important by many people. On one hand there was time to continue the deliberation on revision of Statutes, discussion at round table and in Conferences of Visitors. On the other hand delegates turned to ballots electing new Superior General and the Assistants. All this in very tropical temperature, uncommon even for Paris in July. We invite you for 219 seconds long time travel through events of second week of the Assembly.
When the election of the Vicar General was completed before noon on July 9, the Chronicler of the Assembly, Fr. Celestino Fernández asked new elected Vicar General, Fr. Javier Álvarez a couple of questions. Personally, they two are very good friends from the Province of Madrid. Read the answers given by new Vicar General:
On June 4, 2010 Pope Benedict XVI named Rev. David O’Donnell CM, stepping down President of Catholic University of America the Coadjutor Bishop of Trenton. Msgr. O’Donnell is member of US Eastern Province of the Congregation of the Mission. On Friday, July 30 he was ordained bishop at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton during two-and-a-half hour long Mass. Four Cardinals, some 45 bishops and more than 250 priests attended. Taking part in the Mass at St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral were Cardinal Justin Rigali of Philadelphia, Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, Archbishop Emeritus of Washington Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick, and Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore Cardinal William Keeler. They were joined by about 45 bishops from around the country, more than 250 priests and dozens of members of various religious orders. 
