The remains of Father Theodore Foley, CP (1913-1974), former Superior General of the Passionist Congregation, were received at St. Paul of the Cross Monastery Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on April 28, 2010.
Father Theodore’s cause for beatification and canonization was opened in Rome on May 8,2008. He was once rector at St. Paul’s Monastery, Pittsburgh.
Most Reverend William J. Winter, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, presided at the reception. Very Reverend Joseph Jones, CP, provincial of St. Paul of the Cross represented the Passionist community, along with Very Reverend Gerald Laba, CP, the rector of St. Paul’s Monastery. A number of guests attended.
Father Theodore’s remains rest under a Crucifixion scene in the rear of the monastery church.
At the service a litany of prayers honored the Passionist Saints:
St. Paul of the Cross, St. Gabriel, St. Gemma, Holy Servant of God, Fr. Theodore. Intercede for us.
You lived the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of Mary. Teach us to do the same.
St. Paul, by your example of prayer, penance and preaching the Passion and Resurrection, teach us how to keep the sufferings, death and glory of Jesus alive in our hearts and in the hearts of others.
St. Gabriel, by the way you did ordinary things with extraordinary fidelity to God, and by imitating the life and sentiments of our Blessed Lady, the Mother of Sorrows, teach us the way to respond to the crucified of today who are all around us.
St. Gemma, marked by the wounds of Christ in your own body, lead us to accept our personal and family sufferings, and so fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of his Body, the Church.
Holy Servant of God, Fr.Theodore, by your benevolence, steadfast faith, prayerful heart, personal discipline and spirit of zeal, help us to be like you, an instrument of peace.
All Holy Saints of the Passion, we thank you and ask you to continue to encourage us, and to willingly inspire us to follow Christ prayerfully and willingly. Amen.
Thank you MaryAnn we are supposed to have a pilgrimage there next summer.