Saint Anselm Medal

Throughout this academic year, Saint Anselm College has been celebrating its 125th anniversary and the celebration culminated yesterday with the awarding of the Saint Anselm Medal to Cardinal Gerald Lacroix '75.  After graduating from Trinity High School, Cardinal Lacroix enrolled at Saint Anselm College but left after one year to pursue his vocation with the Pius X Secular Institute in Colombia.  Mr. Mailloux '72 and I attended the Mass.  Both Mr. Mailloux and I graduated from Saint Anselm College, 1976 and 1998, respectively.

The awarding of the medal took place within the context of Mass celebrated in the Abbey Church by Cardinal Lacroix.  Bishop Libasci concelebrated along with the monks of Saint Anselm Abbey and other priests including our chaplain Father Richard Dion.  Cardinal Lacroix also preached and spoke of the desperate need to evangelize.  He said in Quebec, only 3-5% of Catholics attend Mass and he often thinks of the parable of the shepherd who leaves behind the 99 sheep to find 1 that got away.  It seems today, he said, we need to leave the 1 behind to go find the 99.  

After the final prayer, Bro. Isaac Murphy, OSB, the vice president for academic affairs, read the citation awarding the Saint Anselm Medal.  The president of the college, Dr. Steven DiSalvo, came down with kidney stones and could not be present so Bro. Isaac filled in for him.  The medal was presented to Cardinal Lacroix by Abbot Mark Cooper, OSB, the abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey and the chancellor of Saint Anselm College.  Abbot Mark then offered some remarks as did Cardinal Lacroix.

Following Mass, Mr. Mailloux and I stayed back and greeted Cardinal Lacroix who was so humble about receiving the award.  This is only the second time the medal has been granted, the first time being in 1989 to Father Jean Leclercq, OSB, a Benedictine monk and scholar.  There was a light reception in the Cushing Center after the Mass which we attended and had the chance to catch up with some folks.  

It was a lovely afternoon and I was so glad Mr. Mailloux and I were able to be a part of it.  Cardinal Lacroix will be back in Manchester on May 14 for a major fundraiser for Trinity High School.