Bishop presents Father Lee with papal honor during First Sunday of Advent Mass
November 30, 2024 at 7:41 p.m.
During the Nov., 30 Vigil Mass for the First Sunday of Advent in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., welcomed the Holy Season of Advent and also used the occasion to give special recognition to Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor, by presenting him with a papal honor.
One of the highest honors bestowed by the Pope upon select members of the clergy and lay faithful is “The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal.”
Translated “On Behalf of the Church and the Pope,” the honor recognizes long and distinguished service to the Catholic Church. The honor was first established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. Ten years later, Pope St. Pius X made it a permanent papal distinction.
Upon recommendation to the Pope by Bishop O’Connell, the ceremonial medal and lapel pin are presented along with a papal proclamation.
“I wanted it to be an ‘early Christmas surprise,” Bishop O’Connell said. “In honoring the pastor, the Holy Father is also honoring the whole parish and the Diocese as well.”
More to come on this story.
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During the Nov., 30 Vigil Mass for the First Sunday of Advent in St. Mary Church, Colts Neck, Bishop David M. O'Connell, C.M., welcomed the Holy Season of Advent and also used the occasion to give special recognition to Father Jeffrey Lee, pastor, by presenting him with a papal honor.
One of the highest honors bestowed by the Pope upon select members of the clergy and lay faithful is “The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal.”
Translated “On Behalf of the Church and the Pope,” the honor recognizes long and distinguished service to the Catholic Church. The honor was first established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of his priestly ordination. Ten years later, Pope St. Pius X made it a permanent papal distinction.
Upon recommendation to the Pope by Bishop O’Connell, the ceremonial medal and lapel pin are presented along with a papal proclamation.
“I wanted it to be an ‘early Christmas surprise,” Bishop O’Connell said. “In honoring the pastor, the Holy Father is also honoring the whole parish and the Diocese as well.”
More to come on this story.