VATICAN CITY — For the first time in the 21st century, Pope Benedict XVI has made an American priest a canon of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
"You're the first of this century and the first of this millennium," said Cardinal Angelo Comastri during the Jan. 20 celebration for Msgr. Francis Kelly.
"This is a celebration of fidelity, and fidelity is maintaining during the whole life the commitment pronounced in your youth," he added in St. Peter's Basilica, referring to Msgr. Kelly's priesthood of 50 years.
Pope Benedict XVI announced Msgr. Kelly's new role in an Oct. 20 decree, giving the 76-year-old the primary tasks of prayer and worship. A canon is a senior priest who is responsible for the celebration of the sacred liturgy at the Vatican basilica and for maintaining a prayerful presence in the place where St. Peter is buried. Canons lead the recitation of evening prayers and concelebrate Mass on Sundays at 10:30am as well as on major feast days.
There are 24 canons in St. Peter's Basilica, and, with the addition of Msgr. Kelly, they represent 10 countries.
Cardinal Comastri said that his representation of the United States is "a beautiful sign of the catholicity of the Church."
Before Msgr. Kelly, there were two U.S.-born priests who were made canons in the 20th century — Msgr. William Anthony Hemmick and Archbishop Martin O'Connor.
As he prepared to take on his new role and before his installation, Msgr. Kelly celebrated a Mass at Casa Santa Maria, a residence for American priests who studying in Rome, where he has served as the superior for the last eight years.
"It was a beautiful Mass and very meaningful for me," he said.
"I had the privilege to be the principal celebrant and share with them my great gratitude to God for his extraordinary goodness to me in carrying me through these 50 years of priesthood."
"The priesthood is the most extraordinary adventure, privilege and satisfying lifestyle that anyone could be called to," Msgr. Kelly told Catholic News Agency.
"As I look back, I'm just so grateful to God, and I'm very conscious that it was God who chose me, because I didn't choose this," he reflected.
"From the time I was an adolescent, I knew that was what I wanted to do," he added.
His installation at the Canons Chapel in the basilica included about 300 people.
During the ceremony, Msgr. Kelly was taken to the seat where he will be praying and worshipping from now on.
"I was highly honored to have five American cardinals present for the ceremony," he said, "my own priest from Casa Santa Maria and many other friends I've made here in Rome."
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I entered priestly fomation in the fall of 1995 at Blessed John XXIII National Seminary, of which Msgr. Kelly was acting rector. What I remember most was his love of the priesthood and commitment to prayer. From the first day we entered formation, Msgr. Kelly encouraged us to do two things: First, to consecrate our vocations to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and second, to begin living out our priestly calling now, waiting until ordination would be too late. I have been a priest now for almost 14 years, and can truly say that is was some of the best advice I have ever received….
Congratulations, Msgr. Kelly… May The Lord continue to bless you as you live out His call.
In the Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Paul M. Gousse, Pastor
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary and St. Leo Parishes
189 N. Main St.
Rochester, NH 03867
Where is Msgr Kelly from in the US? What else has he done in the priesthood and in Rome?
How I wish Rome would have an office dedicated to Preaching & Teaching all the New Testament Epistles, in their Fullness: including Paul’s thirteen letters, verse-by-verse, and taught in an expository fashion.
Now that would be a needed, God-honoring task with Eternal Value, lasting for generations.
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