Community News

Cardinal Arinze Honors Magdalen College with Visit

Warner, NH—Upon meeting College President Jeffrey Karls in Worcester, MA on Easter Thursday, April 16, Francis Cardinal Arinze expressed his delight and honor in having been invited to visit Magdalen College.  The Cardinal then traveled with President Karls to Boston for the Legatus Boston Chapter’s April meeting, where His Eminence celebrated Mass before the dinner and talk.

On Friday, after Holy Mass, His Eminence said with a smile, “Magdalen College is definitely Catholic.”  Following breakfast, the students, faculty and staff of the College participated in a symposium with the Cardinal, where they discussed matters of Catholic higher education and the faith.  Friday afternoon, Cardinal Arinze visited the sisters at the Monastery of the Precious Blood in Concord, followed by a visit to the Bishop’s Residence, where Manchester Bishop John McCormack welcomed him to the Diocese. 

The following day, Cardinal Arinze was honored at a prayer service at St. Aloysius de Gonzaga parish in Nashua, where he accepted gifts representing the parish’s French, Polish, and Spanish communities:  maple syrup, oplatek (an unleavened wafer), and a multi-colored floral arrangement.   Children from St. Christopher School and members of the Knights of Columbus also shared in the celebration.  Cardinal Arinze addressed the parishioners, greeting and blessing them.  “It is a joy to be a Catholic; our Catholic faith is a gift,” he said.  “It is not something to hide—it is not something we apologize for.” 

At the end of the service, Father Richard Dion, pastor at St. Aloysius, thanked the Cardinal in French, Polish, Spanish, and English.

After the half-hour service, Cardinal Arinze proceeded to the parish rectory, where priests, seminarians, and religious of the Diocese had an opportunity to speak with him.  He then blessed the chapel at the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Word’s residence before proceeding to C.R. Sparks Restaurant in Bedford for Magdalen College’s President’s Dinner.

An intimate group of College benefactors and friends had a private reception with His Eminence before the dinner.  Among the guests were several Nigerian nuns from the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Christ, in Freeport, IL, who drove eighteen hours to meet the Cardinal.  Members of the Knights of Columbus honored Cardinal Arinze and Bishop John McCormack, escorting them to their seats in the dining room.  College President Jeffrey Karls introduced and welcomed His Eminence, then took a moment to express his heart-felt sorrow for the loss of their mutual friend, Dr. Thomas Dillon, President of Thomas Aquinas College in California, who died in a car accident earlier during the week.  President Jeffrey Karls also expressed his gratitude for Cardinal Arinze’s visit and for delivering medals of St. Mary Magdalen, blessed by the Holy Father, for all of the guests. 

In his President’s Dinner Keynote Address, Cardinal Arinze spoke to the over two hundred-thirty guests, congratulating the College for its thirty-five years of dedicated service to Catholic education and formation of young people. 

“We can say, without fear of contradiction, that Magdalen College in its thirty-five years of life has seen one after another of its students grow ‘in wisdom, age and grace’ before God and before society,” said Cardinal Arinze. 

During the evening celebration, David Currier, Chairman of the Magdalen College Board of Trustees, honored and thanked all of the President’s Council members, sponsors, donors, and benefactors of Magdalen College and its 35^th Anniversary.  Members of the College Choir then provided brief entertainment for all present. 

Many guests who attended the President’s Dinner returned for another opportunity to hear the Cardinal speak and to meet him at Magdalen College the following day, Divine Mercy Sunday.  Cardinal Arinze was the celebrant and homilist for Holy Mass at the College chapel.   “We should strive to live our faith by our participation in the life of the Church and by letting the Faith direct our private lives,” Cardinal Arize said.  “We are also expected to profess our faith in the public square. Our Catholic faith is not a contraband good to be hidden away.  It is good news to be announced at midday sunshine!” 

“It’s truly amazing to have a man of this caliber visiting not only Warner, but an institution like this when at a time when Catholic education is trying to find itself again,” said David Currier to a reporter from the Union Leader Newspaper.  “The fact that he was on the short list for being the Pontiff the last time around is amazing.”

At a brunch and reception that afternoon, Chairman Currier and President Karls surprised the Cardinal by awarding him an Honorary Doctorate of Human Letters.  

The festivities concluded with an Art Show hosted by the Junior Class, and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. 

Before his departure to Rome on Monday, Cardinal Arinze once again led the College in an hour-long question and answer symposium.  The Cardinal took questions from students and faculty about sacred music, liturgy, Catholic living, and evangelization through media.  Cardinal Arinze interspersed his joyful humor throughout his insightful answers.   

Magdalen College is blessed and very grateful for Cardinal Arinze, and prays for his safe return to Rome—and another future visit.