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Civil War Soldier-Turned-Priest Lived Heroic Life

Buffalo, N.Y., pastor moves step closer to sainthood.

Msgr. Baker, a Civil War-era soldier and grain dealer who became a Buffalo diocesan priest in 1876, served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, N.Y., for more than 50 years. Our Lady of Victory is now a basilica.
Msgr. Baker, a Civil War-era soldier and grain dealer who became a Buffalo diocesan priest in 1876, served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, N.Y., for more than 50 years. Our Lady of Victory is now a basilica. (photo: Wikipedia)
CNS News

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A Buffalo diocesan priest, Msgr. Nelson Baker, has cleared the first major hurdle on the way to being declared a saint.

Pope Benedict XVI signed a formal decree Jan. 14 recognizing that Msgr. Baker, who died in 1936 at the age of 94, heroically lived the Christian virtues and is worthy of veneration.

Msgr. Baker, a Civil War-era soldier and grain dealer who became a Buffalo diocesan priest in 1876, served as pastor of Our Lady of Victory in Lackawanna, N.Y., for more than 50 years.

At Our Lady of Victory, which is now a basilica, Msgr. Baker operated soup kitchens and a hospital, as well as homes for unwed mothers, homeless and troubled boys and abandoned infants.

The Pope must still recognize a miracle attributed to Msgr. Baker’s intercession before he can be beatified. Another miracle is needed for canonization.

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An image of the Sacred Heart in the Church of the Jesu in Rome

Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Next week, the Bishops of the United States will meet in Orlando and consecrate America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This week on Register Radio we are joined by Bishop Kevin Rhoades to explain the importance of the consecration and how we can all take part and then Register senior writer Zelda Caldwell tells us about the remarkable phenomenon of diocesan priests living in community.

Matthew Bunson, Shannon Mullen Register Radio

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