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Archbishop William E. Lori's parents were part of his May 2012 installation at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland as Archbishop of Baltimore. (CR File)

Another family to celebrate

January 4, 2020
By Archbishop William E. Lori
Filed Under: Charity in Truth, Commentary

This month of January my mom celebrates her 100th birthday and my parents celebrate their 73rd wedding anniversary. Dad is much younger than mom. He’s only 98!

I’ve been asked many times if I have inherited their good genes. I don’t know about that. I do know that mom and dad have given me an even more precious inheritance – the gift of life, the gift of faith and the gift of good example.

Mom and Dad are part of what Tom Brokaw called “the greatest generation.” Dad is a World War II veteran and a longstanding member of the Knights of Columbus. He served in the Navy on an LST (landing ship, tank) near Okinawa. He met my mom in 1946, about a year after he re-entered civilian life.

Actually, I think, St. Joseph had something to do with getting them together. My maternal grandmother knew that my future mother was looking for a good Catholic husband and so grandma made a novena to St. Joseph. Sure enough, on March 19, 1946 (St. Joseph’s feast day), dad arrived to take mom on a first date. Grandma looked him over and asked, “Are you the man St. Joseph sent?” Evidently, he was. They were married January 17, 1947.

My parents worked hard. Dad worked for the telephone company and Mom stayed at home to take care of the three of us boys. We were a handful. In addition to dealing with my mischief, mom also had the challenging responsibility of caring for my older brother with special needs. In accepting that heavy cross, Mom and Dad taught me a lot about commitment and perseverance. Frankie died a few years ago; Mom and Dad loved him faithfully and cared for him to the end of his life. My younger brother came along 11 years after I was born. I was old enough to witness how my parents’ love enveloped the newest member of our family.

Mom and Dad taught us the faith, both by word and by example. Back in the day, my classmates and I studied the Baltimore Catechism. Every night I was expected to memorize a certain number of catechism questions and answers. Mom always made sure I had the answers down pat.

My parents expected me to study hard, to comport myself well, and to be respectful of the religious sisters who taught us. Usually I did OK but when the phone would ring at about 4 in the afternoon and I heard Mom say that she and Mr. Lori would be at the convent that night at 7, I knew there was trouble ahead.

At an early age, I had an inkling that God was calling me to be a priest. I solemnly announced this to Mom and Dad. They surely knew that I was way too young to be so sure of myself but, if so, they didn’t let on. They gently encouraged me. They didn’t push or pull. But as I drew closer to ordination, I sensed their joy in my priestly vocation. I still do.

To this day, when I visit them I offer Mass in their room at the nursing home and anoint them. “What a gift!” Mom always says. But when asked if she’s proud of me, Mom astutely replies, “Not proud, but grateful to God.”

In addition to everything else, Mom is artistically gifted. I have several of her paintings and I cherish them. She and Dad were also good with power tools – for the most part, they did their own home renovations and repairs; that gene was definitely not handed on to me! And in the midst of it all, they always had time for others in need. When I was still in the seminary they started visiting the sick and elderly in nursing homes and continued doing so until they themselves were up in years. For many years they were daily communicants and never did a day go by without their praying the rosary.

Soon family members and friends will gather to celebrate my mom’s big birthday and parents’ anniversary. I look forward to sharing in that happy moment of celebration and thanksgiving. May the Lord bless them in their love for each other and in the love they have shared with so many.

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Archbishop William E. Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori was installed as the 16th Archbishop of Baltimore May 16, 2012.

Prior to his appointment to Baltimore, Archbishop Lori served as Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Conn., from 2001 to 2012 and as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington from 1995 to 2001.

A native of Louisville, Ky., Archbishop Lori holds a bachelor's degree from the Seminary of St. Pius X in Erlanger, Ky., a master's degree from Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmitsburg and a doctorate in sacred theology from The Catholic University of America. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Washington in 1977.

In addition to his responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Baltimore, Archbishop Lori serves as Supreme Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus and is the former chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Ad Hoc Committee for Religious Liberty.

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