Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

This day twenty four years ago, on the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio was ordained to the episcopacy at Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Please join in all good wishes and prayers for the Archbishop on this auspicious occasion.

Yesterday, Archbishop Broglio celebrated Ash Wednesday Mass at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, in keeping with his annual custom on the first day of Lent. Nearly 150 U.S. Military personnel, patients, hospital staff, and others gathered in Memorial Auditorium for the noon Mass, which took place soon after Archbishop Broglio brought ashes and Holy Communion to bedridden patients in their rooms. https://lnkd.in/eVF-WhuY

In the latest episode of the Catholic Military Life podcast, Father Stephen Wong traces his unlikely journey from Jamaican emigrant, to U.S. Army counter-intelligence officer, to Catholic priestly ordination at the age of 62. Listen here: https://lnkd.in/e-uFjmg3

The Catholic Church now recognizes the “offering of life” of the Venerable Father Emil J. Kapaun, CH (CPT), USA, a U.S. Army chaplain who suffered an agonizing death 75 years ago in a North Korean POW camp at the service of fellow captive soldiers. On Monday, Pope Francis authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate a decree that Father Kapaun “offered his life” prematurely out of Christian charity. The decree opens the path forward for Father Kapaun’s Beatification. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e4PdPKQF

Pope Francis has named a new auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. He is Father Gregg M. Caggianelli, Ch Col USAF, a nearly 30-year veteran of the United States Air Force. Father Caggianelli’s pontifical appointment brings to five the total number of auxiliary bishops serving under Archbishop Broglio. Father Caggianelli’s episcopal ordination will occur at a time and place to be set by Archbishop Broglio and the new bishop-elect sometime in the next few weeks. https://lnkd.in/eyFUZhJB

Members of the military and the police are called "to promote life, to save lives, to be a constant defender of life," Pope Francis told them at the end of the Jubilee of the Armed Services, Police and Security Personnel at the Vatican. U.S. Air Force Lt. Kenzie Gaspard, who is stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California, read the first reading at the Mass with the pope in St. Peter's Square. Archbishop Broglio shares his hopes for those traveled to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of the Armed Services, Police and Security Personnel: “I think the experience of the Jubilee — going through the holy doors, coming on a journey — is a reminder that life is a pilgrimage. And so I hope that they will come back as ambassadors of hope, ambassadors of that announcement of the life to come, and really as an invitation for others to participate in this experience.”?? https://lnkd.in/g4YKFcVt

Today marks the 17th anniversary of the installation of Archbishop Broglio as the Fourth Archbishop for the Military Services, USA. Please join in offering thanksgiving to the Lord for His providence in sending this good and faithful shepherd to lead this global Archdiocese, even as we convey our gratitude to the Archbishop for his selfless and dedicated ministry to the AMS.

“Dr. King’s memorial holiday is a fitting occasion to recall also his words from?Letter from a Birmingham Jail?where he stated, ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.’?In reflecting on the continuing realities of racial injustice, immigrant families seeking welcome, and economic disparity, these words remind us that we are connected and responsible for each other as we seek to fulfill the dream.?As we approach Dr. King’s holiday, let us be inspired by this righteous man’s work and sacrifice to create a more just society for all of God’s children.” Read Archbishop Broglio's full post on the website of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops: https://lnkd.in/edhjf-Jp

Archbishop Broglio has named Father Paul-Anthony Halladay, CH (MAJ), USA (Ret.), as the new Vocations Director for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Father Halladay, a priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile, AL, and a retired, decorated 20-year veteran U.S. Army chaplain, succeeds interim director Father Marcel Taillon, who recently completed a successful eight-month run in the position pending search for a permanent successor. https://lnkd.in/e8BCFks7

Father Marcel Taillon has completed his brief but consequential term as interim Vocations Director for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. Father Taillon, who joined the AMS on April 15, will return this month—as planned—to his home Diocese of Providence. https://lnkd.in/e6_KRqrf