Vincent Soldano ’16 and a group of Crusaders attended the Archbishop-Emeritus Francis Bible Schulte’s Funeral Mass on January 28, 2016.
Read about the funeral and Mass from Vincent Soldano ’16:
“On Thursday, January 28, 2016, five Brother Martin students along with Mr. Michael Lynn, Assistant Disciplinarian, attended the funeral Mass for the late Archbishop Schulte as representatives of Brother Martin High School. Archbishop Schulte died on January 17, in his hometown of Philadelphia. January 28 is also the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, who is the patron saint of Catholic education.
Archbishop Schulte served as the Twelfth Archbishop of New Orleans, from 1988 until 2001. Archbishop Schulte was born in Philadelphia, PA. There he became a priest and a bishop. In Philadelphia, he served as superintendent of the Catholic schools and was known for his devotion to Catholic education. In December of 1988, Schulte was appointed by Pope St. John Paul II to be the new Archbishop of New Orleans. He was installed on February 14, 1989, receiving his pallium from the pope in the St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. As Archbishop, Schulte reorganized the Archdiocese’s Catholic school system, making it better. In 2001, upon his diagnosis of prostate cancer, Schulte decided to retire and return to Philadelphia.
As it was understood from the eulogy, given by the Most Reverend, Bishop Robert Muench, who worked closely with him during his time as Archbishop of New Orleans, and by his former brother bishops and archbishops from Pennsylvania who also attended the Mass, he was greatly loved. At the end of the Mass, Archbishop Aymond read a letter from Pietro Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, of how sad His Holiness Pope Francis I was to hear of the news of Archbishop Schulte’s passing. Following the reading of the letter, Archbishop Aymond followed a tradition started by Schulte himself, leaving the chalice used by the deceased priest (in this case, bishop) as the sole item on the Altar as a sign of reverence.
In all, the Mass was a very solemn event. In addition to the multitude of priests and deacons in attendance, serving as Honor Guards were the Knights of Columbus, Knights of Peter Claver, Knights of the Military and Hospitaller Order of Saint Lazarus of Jerusalem, Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, and the Knights and Dames of the Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta. Brother Martin’s own Mr. Michael Lemmon, guidance counselor, also participated as a Honor Guard with the Knights of Columbus.”
Submitted by Vincent Soldano ’16
