Diocesan 150th anniversary year comes to a close.
Video highlights of the March 3, 2019 Closing Mass
His Holiness, Pope Francis, greets Bishop Malooly during the Pope’s weekly public audience in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. Bishop Malooly led a group of pilgrims to Rome, Annecy, and Assisi in April 2018 as part of the Diocese of Wilmington’s 150 Anniversary celebration.
A new play that presents the spirituality of Saints Francis de Sales and Jane De Chantal, titled “Everyday Holiness,” made its debuted on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wilmington. The play was commissioned by the Diocese of Wilmington as part of its 150th anniversary celebration, and written by Wilmington playwright and actress, Johanna Schloss. A 17th century Bishop and Doctor of the Church, St. Francis de Sales is known as the “gentleman saint.” He is the patron of the Diocese. Along with his close collaborator, St. Jane de Chantal, they established the Order of the Visitation.
The play features three contemporary adults considering the question of “What is a saint?” “As the play unfolds, two of those transform to become the two saints, and the third becomes the central figure of the everyday, 21st-century person wondering how she fits in to what might be called ‘holy,’” Ms. Schloss explains. “The play follows her through an average day, with the saints visiting and guiding her along the way.” The short play runs approximately 40 minutes and can be presented as a part of a prayer service or group discussion.
Watch this webpage for future performance locations, dates, and times.
High quality prints are available for purchase in two sizes.
The large, which measures 17.25 x 30 inches is a limited edition; only 150 of this size will be printed. Each limited edition print will be titled, numbered, and signed by the artist. Cost $100.00. First come; first served.
The smaller print is 8 x 13.5 inches. these are not signed by the artist and cost $20.00.
Send name, address, and number and sizes of prints to be ordered. Enclose a check to cover the print and shipping and handling costs. Shipping and handling for the large print is $20.00; $10.00 for the small print.
Make check for the full amount payable to the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, with “Our Lady of Wilmington” in the memo line.
Send to: Our Lady of Wilmington, c/o Rev. Brian Lewis, 10 Old Church Road, Wilmington, DE 19807
Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.
Read the story of Our Lady of Wilmington in The Dialog. Click here.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED CONVOCATION 150!
Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, Maryland, November 3, 2018
CONVOCATION 150 was a gathering of leaders from parishes, schools and Catholic organizations in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to reflect on where we are, where we have been, and to envision and embrace a pathway for mission and ministry. Above all, Convocation 150 was our opportunity to celebrate, affirm, and deepen our ministry to missionary discipleship rooted in the Joy of the Gospel.
Read about CONVOCATION 150 in The Dialog, here.
Here are some handouts from CONVOCATION 150 Speakers:
Disaffiliated Young Catholics Handout 2018
SCCs-Missionary Discipleship-Wilmington- Handouts
Two history books to celebrate the Diocesan 150th anniversary are published.
“Rejoicing in the Lord and “Family of Faith” now available through parishes or diocese.
Call your parish today to get your copies!
Watch highlights from the March 3, 2018 150th Anniversary Opening Mass, including Bishop Malooly’s homily and the designation of Historic Pilgrimage Churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore:
Bishop Malooly celebrated the Diocese of Wilmington’s Sesquicentennial Kick-off Mass on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at the Cathedral of Saint Peter, Sixth and West Streets in Wilmington. Catholics from across Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore gathered Gather to pray and give thanks. Diocese of Wilmington was founded by Blessed Pope Pius IX on March 3, 1868.
At the end of Mass, Bishop Malooly blessed certificates designating nine churches in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore as Official Sesquicentennial Pilgrimage Churches. Those churches are Saint Francis Xavier Shrine, “Old Bohemia”, Warwick, Maryland (1704); Saint Joseph Mission, Cordova, Maryland (1765); Saint Peter the Apostle, Queenstown, Maryland (1765); Saint Mary Star of the Sea, Golden Hill, Maryland (1767); Cathedral of Saint Peter, Wilmington, Delaware (1816); Saint Patrick, Pilottown, Maryland (1819); Saint Joseph on the Brandywine, Greenville, Delaware (1841); Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Wilmington, Delaware (1858); and Sacred Heart Oratory, Wilmington, Delaware (1874). These historic churches will be open for additional touring and worship on the first Saturdays of the month during the 150th anniversary year. Click here to download your Historic Churches Passport.
Additionally, a gathering of Catholics from across the diocese has been announced for November 3, 2018 at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. The gathering, titled “Convocation 150,” will include a keynote presentation, breakout sessions, roundtable discussions, prayer, and Mass. The gathering will be an opportunity to celebrate, affirm, and deepen the Catholic community’s commitment to discipleship rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Other activities during the 150th anniversary year include, a prayer service to honor the Religious Men and Women of the Diocese; Masses in honor of Saints John Neumann and Francis de Sales; an ecumenical prayer service for Christian unity; and a closing Mass scheduled for March 3, 2019. Throughout the 12-month period, regional celebrations will be held. A traveling exhibition, featuring artifacts and historic documents is being planned. A coffee-table style keepsake book featuring diocesan and parish history and photographs, as well as a graphic history book of the diocese, will be published in the spring. A commemorative keep-sake rosary has been commissioned and should be available around Easter.
At the request of Bishop Malooly, the Vatican Apostolic Penitentiary has granted a Plenary Indulgence with the usual conditions to those who participate in specified sesquicentennial observances. See the News Journal video:
https://www.delawareonline.com/videos/news/2018/03/29/fast-track-heaven-wilmington-diocese/33302873/
Throughout the year, detailed information about the 150th anniversary celebration will be posted on the Diocese of Wilmington’s website, www.cdow.org/150th and at www.facebook.com/cdow150th, and @CDOW150th on Twitter and Instagram. Read The Dialog article, here.
The following resources can help celebrate the Sesquicentennial in your classroom or home:
Church Dot-to-Dot, The Sayings of St. Francis De Sales, Diocesan Map Activity, Do You Know our Bishops?, Parish Scramble, Saint Taboo.
Parents, catechists, educators, if you have an idea or lesson to share, email submission form to [email protected]
Learn about some of the historic churches in our Diocese:
NEW VIDEO!
St. Mary Star of the Sea & Tubman Chapel, Golden Hill, Maryland
St. Peter the Apostle, Queenstown, Maryland
St. Francis Xavier Shrine (Old Bohemia), Warwick, Maryland
Old St. Joseph’s Mission, Cordova, Maryland
Cathedral of St. Peter, Wilmington, Delaware
The historic Cathedral of St. Peter Austin Pipe Organ
Learn about the man who may be the first canonized saint from the Diocese of Wilmington
Father Paul of Graymoor