Pope Francis names Bishop Cupich Archbishop of Chicago

As first reported yesterday by the Associated Press, His Holiness Pope Francis named His Excellency the Most Reverend Blaise J. Cupich, until now Bishop of Spokane, as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago. The Archbishop-elect will succeed His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. who resignation was accepted upon his having reached the age limit.

From his installation as Bishop of Spokane
September 3, 2010

His Excellency will be installed as the fourteenth Archbishop of the Windy City on Tuesday, November 18th.

Please remember Cardinal George in your prayers, especially as his battle with cancer continues. Please also remember the Archbishop-elect as he prepares to assume the daunting responsibility of teaching, governing, and sanctifying the Church in Chicago.

Auxiliary Bishops ask Tolton's intercession for Cardinal George

This past Wednesday, His Eminence Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, began chemotherapy to fight cancer recently found in his kidney and liver, treatments which will continue over the next four months.

His Auxiliary Bishops today asked the faithful to pray for the health and healing of Cardinal George through the intercession of the Servant of God Father Augustus Tolton.  As we do so, they ask us to use the prayer for his Beatification and Canonization:

O God, * we give you thanks for your servant and priest, Father Augustus Tolton, * who labored among us in times of contradiction,* times that were both beautiful and paradoxical. * His ministry helped lay the foundation for a truly Catholic gathering in faith in our time.* We stand in the shadow of his ministry.* May his life continue to inspire us * and imbue us with that confidence and hope * that will forge a new evangelization for the Church we love.

Father in Heaven, * Father Tolton’s suffering service sheds light upon our sorrows; * we see them through the prism of your Son’s passion and death.* If it be your Will, O God,* glorify your servant, Father Tolton, * by granting the favor I now request through his intercession * (mention your request) * so that all may know the goodness of this priest * whose memory looms large in the Church he loved. 

Complete what you have begun in us * that we might work for the fulfillment of your kingdom.* Not to us the glory,* but glory to you O God, through Jesus Christ, your Son* and our Lord; * Father, Son and Holy Spirit,* you are our God, living and reigning forever and ever. Amen.

Father Tolton, pray for him!