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His Eminence Francis Cardinal George
Visits the Shrine to Crown the Divine Infant King
On Saturday, December 29th, 2007, His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago and President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, visited the Shrine of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in Chicago to crown the statue of the Divine Infant King in a solemn ceremony. He then assisted and preached at a Solemn High Mass celebrated by Msgr. R. Michael Schmitz, Vicar General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. The event took place in the church building, which was beautifully prepared for the occasion, though its interior still must be restored. Local faithful and pilgrims from near and far, such as Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Florida, California, New Jersey, and other areas, filled the church to capacity. The Infant will help to bring the Shrine to its final beauty. The wooden statue crowned by His Eminence was given by a benefactor and comes from Spain where it was carved in 1640. The Infant King is a beautiful example of the devotion to the Incarnate Savior spread by St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Lisieux, and other saints throughout the world. The Infant King awaits your visit to Chicago. Holy Mass is now offered in the church building on Sundays at 8:00 am (Low Mass) and 10:00 am (High Mass). On weekdays, Mass is offered at 8:00 am, except on Tuesday when it is at 6:30 pm with Benediction and devotions to St. Therese. |
Choose a Gallery: Crowning Ceremony | Solemn High Mass | Reception

Grateful prayers to the Infant King

The Solemn High Mass begins

At Solemn High Mass

The Gloria

Uplifting moments

A large congregation

William Byrd's music fills the Shrine

Faithful from Chicago and the whole country

A welcoming atmosphere of devotion

The Blessed Mother and St. Therese watch over the side altars

A glimpse of heaven for all

The final Shrine will even be more beautiful!

Cardinal Georges preaches about the Infant - Live the Truth in Charity

Incensation of the altar for the Offertory

Incensation of His Eminence

The Cardinal follows the Holy Mass

The celebrant kisses again the altar

"Dominus vobiscum"

The final prayer of the Solemn High Mass

A recollected prayer before the procession leaves

The statio after Mass

The procession leaves the Shrine

The final procession

Priests of the Institute of Christ the King in choir habit

Cardinal George blesses the faithful again

His Eminence and his chaplains of honor from the Institute

Back in the throne room

Cardinal George, Msgr. Schmitz, and priests of the Institute

All are happy