This Day in History: Archbishop Ambrozic becomes Cardinal Ambrozic

On February 21, 1998, Most Reverend Archbishop Aloysius Matthew Ambrozic became His Eminence Aloysius Matthew Cardinal Ambrozic. 

Aloysius Matthew Ambrozic was born in Gaberje, Slovenia on January 27, 1930. In September of 1948 he and his family emigrated to Canada where he studied philosophy and theology at St. Augustine's Seminary. On June 4, 1955, he was ordained priest by Cardinal McGuigan in St. Michael's Cathedral. 

On March 26, 1976, Father Ambrozic was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Toronto. He was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of Toronto on May 22, 1986, and succeeded as Archbishop in March 17, 1990.

On January 18, 1998 Pope John Paul II nominated Archbishop Ambrozic a Cardinal, and he was elevated to the College on February 21.  

Cardinal Ambrozic retired as Archbishop of Toronto on December 16, 2006. He passed away on August 26, 2011 and was interred in the Bishops’ Mausoleum at Holy Cross Cemetery, Toronto.

Cardinal Ambrozic receives a red watered silk biretta from Pope John Paul II. This photo was published by L'Osservatore Romano in Rome, Italy.

ARCAT holds the above biretta (displayed on our nifty head model) owned by Cardinal Ambrozic. Birettas are worn by clergy from Cardinals to Seminarians, and are thought to have been derived from academic caps of the middle ages. The clerical biretta has three peaks, and is always worn with the non-peaked corner facing left so that the wearer can grab the middle peak with his right hand.

Record of the Week: Happy Valentine's Day!

When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of romantic love. However, it is also a time to think about love for our family, friends, neighbours, and even strangers.  At one time we would have called this 'brotherly love,' but today we might say 'altruism,' 'empathy,' 'charity,' 'compassion,' 'mercy,' 'kindness,' 'generosity,' and a whole thesaurus of other words.

The seventh ordinary and fifth Archbishop of Toronto, the Most Reverend Neil McNeil was a leader who embodied many of these words. Below is a handwritten draft of a prayer by Archbishop McNeil asking for the wisdom to understand how to love all people, even enemies. 

O God, Heavenly Father, look down upon Thy children here below. Enlighten our minds that we may see and understand what Thy fatherhood involves for us in brotherhood and in good will as a duty to our neighbor. Thou didst send Thine only begotten Son on earth to teach us the ways of brotherly love. He gave us the ideal and the example of it in His supreme sacrifice. He commanded us to love one another - to love even our enemies, and His apostle tells us that whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer. Heavenly Father, help us to gauge the worth of fellow men, not by what they own, but by what they are; not by our selfish interest, but by their needs and deeds; not by our national or racial feelings, but by their brotherhood in Thee, our Father in Heaven.
(Archbishop Neil McNeil fonds, MN AR01.26)