Cardinal Dolan Celebrates Ascension Thursday Mass at Xavier

His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, celebrated Ascension Thursday Mass with the Xavier High School community earlier today in the Church of St. Francis Xavier.

Dolan was joined on the altar by Fr. James Ferreira, his priest-secretary; Deacon Francis Orlando ’67, Director of Diaconate Formation for the Archdiocese of New York; and Louis Garaventa, S.J., James Hederman, S.J., Mario Powell, S.J., Sean Toole, S.J., and Jack Replogle, S.J. ’51, all members of the Xavier Jesuit Community.

“All of you are privileged to be part of a school where Jesus remains alive,” Dolan told students, faculty, and staff during his homily. “Jesus is here. Jesus teaches here. Jesus strengthens our faith here.”

Echoing those words, the Xavier community celebrated as the Sacrament of Confirmation was later conferred on Thomas Burns ’17.

At the conclusion of the Mass, President Jack Raslowsky expressed his gratitude to Cardinal Dolan on behalf of Xavier. “From near and far I have seen leadership that is tireless, authentic, and gracious,” Raslowsky said of Dolan, who has served as Archbishop of New York since 2009. “I am grateful, Cardinal, for your example, your witness, your faith, your joy in the gospel.”

“I can’t play favorites with our schools. I have to love them all,” Dolan said in reply. “I cannot choose sides. I can choose saints, and I will tell you this…St. Francis Xavier was a much greater saint than St. John Francis Regis.”

A photo album from Cardinal Dolan’s visit will be available early next week. (Above photos by Michael Marmora)