For the June Junior Saints children's section of the Catholic Standard newspaper and website, students at Catholic schools and parishes in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington were invited to draw a picture of Cardinal Wilton Gregory and write about what they admire about him.

“Thank you Cardinal Gregory for being our cardinal. God made you our cardinal for a reason… I know that God has a great plan for you.” – Drawing and writing of Cardinal Gregory by Annabel Kortokrax, third grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons, Maryland

“I admire Cardinal Wilton Gregory, because he knew what he was called to do at such a young age, and this year he is marking 50 years (as a priest). In these 50 years, he continued to work for God, by helping people, celebrating Masses, and being an inspiration for kids like me. In these years, he also became the first African American cardinal in history. By having this title, he proved that there are no limits for African Americans in the Church or anywhere. It proves that African Americans can be what they want to be.” – Amara Iweanoge, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie, Maryland

“I like Cardinal Gregory as compared to other cardinals. He seems to understand modern issues like politics and the climate. The cardinal has a great sense of humor. For example, during Confirmation Mass when the priest said part of the cardinal’s prayers on accident, the cardinal said, ‘Don’t steal my prayers,’ in a very funny way that made the priest less nervous.” – Daniel DiBonaventuro, seventh grade, Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Solomons

Detail of a drawing of Cardinal Gregory by Mariah Pleta, who graduated as an eighth grader from St. Columba School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, in 2022.

“Cardinal Wilton Gregory is a very cool priest, and he even visited our school!” – Bellamy Williams, sixth grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie

“I admire Cardinal Gregory because he cares about the community. For example, he recently helped with a project at Sacred Heart in Bowie. He blessed many graves of enslaved people that were not properly honored (before). It is surprising that a caring cardinal was not Catholic in his early years. He converted in the sixth grade. Now he is the first Black American cardinal. Cardinal Gregory is a great role model, because he shows that everyone can be a devoted Catholic and care for others.” – Jonathan Shane, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie. 

Drawing of Cardinal Gregory wearing a facemask during the COVID-19 pandemic by Sophia Barrowman, seventh grade, St. Pius X Regional School, Bowie