"The United States' oldest Catholic diocese celebrated its 225th birthday Nov. 10 with a special Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore as part of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual fall general assembly.
"'We give thanks for the growth of the Catholic Church in America,' said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, USCCB president, at the beginning of the Mass.
"More than 200 bishops concelebrated the Mass -- nearly one for each year of the existence of the Baltimore Archdiocese, established as a diocese Nov. 6, 1789, and made an archdiocese in 1808. . . .
"In his homily, Archbishop Lori noted that the original territory of the nation's first diocese encompassed 25,000 Catholics spread out over an area that now covers 37 states; there were only the original 13 states at the time of the diocese's creation in 1789.
"'Bishop John Carroll's resources were small,' Archbishop Lori said, but he was industrious, calling together the diocese's 22 priests for a synod covering such areas as religious education, finances, vocations and 'mixed marriages.' . . . 'They had faith, albeit the size of a mustard seed, that produced great works of faith, worship and witness.'"
A recent Catholic News Service article reported on this special anniversary celebration.
To access the complete report, please visit:
Catholic News Service: All Catholics called heirs to 'precious legacy' of first U.S. diocese (11 NOV 14)
Background information:
Archdiocese of Baltimore
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
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