"Your Eminence, welcome home!" The people of St. Mary's Oratory could find no more appropriate words to greet the Cardinal who, as Bishop of his home diocese of La Crosse, first consecrated this church in 2003, returned in 2013 to celebrate the anniversary of the consecration, and gladdened the hearts of the faithful of Wausau this past Gaudete Sunday by another special visit. On Sunday, December 13, His Eminence Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 54 children and adults in a solemn afternoon ceremony which concluded with Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament. After bestowing a Rosary and several prayers cards on each of the confirmed, His Eminence then joined the faithful at a reception in the church hall and took the time to greet everyone present. The faithful of St. Mary's are deeply honored that, when His Eminence has occasion to return to his home diocese, he is always happy to come to the Oratory that he erected twelve years ago.

Photos courtesy of Mr. Mark Krueger