To mark the day of the 50th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory celebrated a Mass on May 9, 2023 at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, and joining him as concelebrants of the Mass were eight of his priests from St. Mary of the Lake Seminary’s ordination class of 1973.
The Catholic Standard interviewed three of Cardinal Gregory’s ordination classmates from the Archdiocese of Chicago about their seminary experiences and how that shaped Cardinal Gregory and them in their lives as priests, and they were also asked about the qualities that the cardinal had as a seminarian that continue to mark his service as the archbishop of Washington, what they and Cardinal Gregory learned from the example of Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, and what qualities did they see in then-Bishop Gregory as he served as the president of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002 when the bishops adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
The three ordination classmates interviewed included:
- Msgr. Kenneth Velo, who serves as the senior executive of Catholic collaboration for DePaul University in Chicago and as co-chairman of the Big Shoulders Fund which supports inner-city Catholic schools in Chicago. Earlier he served as a parish priest in Chicago, as that archdiocese’s vice chancellor and as executive assistant to the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin; and he was also the president of the Catholic Church Extension Society, which raises money for poor dioceses of the United States.
- Father James Joslyn spent his first two years as a priest in an inner-city parish, then taught for 13 years at the diocese’s high school seminary. Father Joslyn then joined the Navy Chaplain Corps and spent 22 years traveling the world, working with sailors, Marines, members of the Coast Guard and their families before retiring as a Navy captain.
- Father Edward Mikolajczyk served as a parish priest and pastor after ordination, and also taught in the Chicago archdiocese’s high school seminary and has been a leader in its council of priests. He is now retired and helps at Our Lady of the Woods Seminary in Orland Park, Illinois.
Father Mikolajczyk noted that their seminary’s rector, Bishop John Gorman, emphasized the “importance of what it meant to be a pastor to your people. For me, I used his advice as a guideline and blueprint to be the priest that I am today. To be compassionate, understanding and present to the people was important.”
Msgr. Velo said their time at Mundelein Seminary “was the best of the old and new, thus preparing us to assimilate into the diocese very well. Tradition and vision were important in that post-Vatican II era.”
Father Joslyn said that at their high school seminary, Quigley South, “Wilton and a group of us became friends from the earliest days. The motto of the school was ‘Ora et Labora,’ ‘Prayer and Work.’ We were formed to be spiritual people and also people of service to others. That goal carried on through all of our seminary training. We went on to the college seminary and merged with our brothers from the north side. We lived in the heady days of Vatican II, and change and newness were in the air. They were exciting days. They were also the ‘60s when the world was changing around us and then Vietnam when protests and anger were in the air. We were caught up in the Civil Rights movement and worked for racial and ethnic harmony in our city.”
The priest added that during his first year in high school, “I invited my new Quigley friends over to the house… From day one, mom, dad and Wilton hit it off. My parents always asked about him, and he was like a member of our family.”
Asked what qualities that Wilton Gregory the seminarian had that Cardinal Gregory still reflects, Msgr. Velo said, “Congeniality is the hallmark and faith is the cornerstone of Cardinal Gregory.”
Father Joslyn said the qualities of Cardinal Gregory then and now that stand out “are intelligence, tremendous oral skills, joyfulness, deep spirituality, a strong sense of concern for people, a faithful friend, a great sense of humor, a great deal of common sense, and (being) comfortable in any setting.”
Reflecting on his seminary classmate who became a cardinal, Father Mikolajczyk said, “Wilton had the qualities of true leadership. He was a person who was outgoing, dedicated and focused in his studies, while also taking the time to have fun, having a wonderful sense of humor and a distinguished laugh. He was the president of the student council in high school. Wilton set his mind to dream big. He was intelligent, respected and motivated to do his best. I was not surprised when he was made an auxil1ary bishop for Chicago. He was the perfect choice. He also made an impact being the bishop of Belleville, the archbishop of Atlanta and now the cardinal archbishop of Washington. It is a well deserved honor for him. Our class is very proud of him.”
The classmates agreed that the example of the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, the archbishop of Chicago from 1982 to 1996, greatly influenced Cardinal Gregory. Father Wilton Gregory served as one of the liturgical masters of ceremony for then-Archbishop Bernardin. In 1983, Cardinal Bernardin ordained Bishop Gregory as an auxiliary bishop of Chicago. Bishop Gregory served in that role from 1983 to 1994 and worked closely with Cardinal Bernardin during those years.
Describing Cardinal Bernardin’s qualities, Father Joslyn said, “Cardinal Bernardin was the consummate gentleman. He was very intelligent and shared his wisdom in a way that others could understand. He had passion for the Church and its people from all walks of life. He was very supportive of his priests. He tackled the difficult issues thoughtfully and openly. He introduced himself to Chicago and won our hearts when he said, ‘I am your brother, Joseph.’ He humanized the lofty title of cardinal.”
Msgr. Velo noted, “Cardinal (John) Cody ordained Wilton and the class of 1973, but it was Cardinal Bernardin who truly ordained us through his collaborative, respectful and steady life. These are qualities that Cardinal Gregory and our class try to emulate.”
Reflecting on what Cardinal Gregory learned from that Chicago archbishop, Father Mikolajczyk said, “Cardinal Bernardin was a mentor for Wilton. He learned how to listen to the people, be there for the people and minister to them. Cardinal Bernardin was a man of honesty, compassion, courage and faith. He gave people reassurance and hope. Wilton has followed in his footsteps. Wilton has never waivered. He has remained consistent in his ministry and is respected for it.”
While then-Bishop Gregory served as the bishop of Belleville, Illinois, from 1994 to 2005, he was elected to serve as the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops from 2001 to 2004. Under his leadership, the bishops in 2002 adopted and implemented the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which included a zero tolerance policy on priests who abuse children.
Praising Bishop Gregory’s leadership as the president of the bishops’ conference then, Father Joslyn said, “He was concerned for both victims and those accused. He wanted justice for both. When some Church leaders wanted business as usual, he led them to openness and accountability. Like his mentor, Cardinal Bernardin, protection of children became a priority.”
Father Mikolajczyk noted, “Wilton always accepted and grew in the responsibilities given to him. He was the right person to be elected the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2001. He was sensitive to the issues concerning the protection of children and young people. Through his guidance, steadfastness and assurance, he had the ability to help the bishops create the charter that exists today. Not everyone would have been able to accomplish what Wilton achieved. All of us are grateful for the leadership Wilton provided during this time.”
Also praising Bishop Gregory’s leadership at that critical time, Msgr. Velo said, “Wilton is collaborative, respectful, prepared and steady. These were qualities we experienced in our friend of 60 years and saw demonstrated as the led the bishops’ conference through troubled waters. Wilton was a leader extraordinaire through the process.”
Concluding the interview, the priests were asked about the bonds they shared as members of Chicago’s ordination class of 1973, and how that brotherhood has helped Cardinal Gregory and them over these past 50 years.
Father Joslyn noted, “As men growing up in the days of Vatican II, the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement (and) the wild ‘60s, we were on the cutting edge of a changing world and Church. In some ways, we were the last of the old and the first of the new. I think that formed a strong bond in the class. We were always close. And we had some outstanding leaders in the class. We were excited about ministry in changing times. From our first anniversary of ordination on, we have gotten together for Mass and dinner on or near the date. That bond made us stronger priests and supportive classmates.”
Reflecting on the bonds of that ordination class, Msgr. Velo said, “Our shared mission for 60-plus years has brought deep and rewarding friendship. As men on a mission, that friendship has been invaluable.”
Father Mikolajczyk pointed out that, “The class of 1973 is unique. Since the day we started our journey as freshmen in high school, our bond as a class has grown. We enjoy being together. We are a support system for one another. We have been there for the happy and joyous moments of priesthood as well as for the difficult and sad times. We stay in touch as much as we can and always get together for the celebration of our priesthood ordination. Our class has a great sense of humor, and we know how to enjoy each other’s company. Our bond as a class has grown stronger every year. We are proud to be the class of 1973.”
