8:55 a.m. Cardinal Foley's casket is carried by seminarian pall bearers from the hearse into St. Charles Seminary Dec. 15, 2011.
9 a.m. Father Joseph Bongard, seminary vice rector, leads reception prayer rite in the main lobby of the seminary Dec. 15.
9:15 a.m. 142 seminarians proceed double file down hallways of the seminary, chanting Psalm 122, into St Martin’s Chapel. They pass by the portrait of Cardinal John Krol, Cardinal Foley's episcopal consecrator.
9:30 a.m. Cardinal Foley's casket sits, covered by a pall which symbolizes the baptismal garment, at the foot of the altar. The seminary community chants antiphonally, from one side of the aisle to the other, the psalms of the liturgy, led by a cantor.
9:30 a.m. Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Thomas, close friend of Cardinal Foley, is celebrant for the Midmorning Prayer liturgy. At the foot of the casket on a small table is Cardinal Foley's crimson red biretta, the three-cornered hat of a cardinal.
10:05 a.m. Cardinal Foley’s body lies in state at the seminary. He is clad in white Mass vestments with the bishop’s miter. On his right hand next to his episcopal ring is a rosary. On his left is the insignia of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, which he led. The cardinal’s body will lie in state for visitation until Mass Thursday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Daniel Thomas.
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How many times after our families made their way home late Christmas Eve were we Americans welcomed into the home of our other family at the Vatican basilica by the warm, soothing, and prayerful voice of John Patrick Foley? Memories of Christmas and the voice of Cardinal Foley are burned into our collective American Catholic memory and his voice was as much a part of our faith experience as was the parish priest or the local bishop. I take great comfort that Cardinal Foley’s last “tour of duty” was Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. The voice of Christmas at the Vatican became the voice for our Lord’s beloved poor in the Holy Land. This Christmas Eve, I will whisper a gentle prayer of thanksgiving for the life and voice of Cardinal John Patrick Foley. Non nobis, non nobis, Domine, Sed nomini tuo da gloriam – Not to us, not to us, O Lord, But to your name give glory!