From the Archbishop

Father James E. Coyle died on August 11, 1921, in Birmingham, Alabama. It is more correct to say that he was murdered. It is perhaps even more correct to say that he was martyred.

This year, 2021, has a special significance for our Archdiocese and for three Religious Orders whose members serve here. In 1911, 110 years ago, the Vincentian Order, officially known as the Congregation for the Mission, arrived in the Archdiocese of Mobile at the invitation of Bishop Allen. In 1921, 100 years ago, the Trinitarian Fathers and Brothers, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, was established with the approval of Bishop Allen. In 1931, 90 years ago, the Trinitarian Sisters, officially known as the Missionary Servants of the Blessed Holy Trinity, submitted their request to the Vatican for official recognition as a Religious Order. (It would be granted in February 1932). The histories of these three Religious Orders are interwoven.

I have been asked what is my reaction to the controversy over the recent vote of the US bishops to draft a document on the Eucharist. My first reaction is that a long deep breath would be helpful.

Thank you, Alex, for your openness to the call of God to ordained ministry. Trusting in God, you said yes to God’s call and here at this Mass the Church confirms your decision by calling you to be ordained.

Beginning in grade school, we all were taught the 10 Commandments. These are God’s laws, given to Moses to be obeyed by God’s people. The commandments direct us not to lie, not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to kill, etc. We know God was serious about all the ones I just mentioned, but somehow we have the idea that God is not as serious about the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath. However, the Bible makes it clear that God is as serious about the commandment to keep holy the Sabbath as He is about the commandment not to kill. God commands that we keep the seventh day as the day that we gather and worship Him.