Remembering Cardinal Hickey

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Special to the Herald
(From the issue of 10/28/04)

As you know, this past Sunday, Oct. 24, our Blessed Lord called home to Himself our neighbor across the Potomac, Cardinal James A. Hickey. I knew Cardinal Hickey long before I was installed in Arlington on March 25, 1999, but since my arrival, I experienced in a number of ways his sincere welcome, his obvious care for me as a brother bishop and his profound love for God’s people in Washington and in this diocese.

I have known Cardinal Hickey since the time he was serving as the rector of the Pontifical North American College, which is also my alma mater. I had already returned home to the Diocese of Norwich (1966) when the then-Bishop Hickey began his duties as rector of the college in 1969. I would see him at the reunions of the alumni, usually held in June. He was unfailingly a gentleman, with a smile which warmed the heart and an ability to listen attentively as if you were the only person in the room. He possessed a quiet sense of humor and on occasion his eyes would twinkle with delight.

I will never forget how clear and precise he would be in making interventions at the general meetings of the United States bishops. We bishops are creatures of habit and many of us sit in the same place at every meeting. I usually sit in the second row from the front, off the center aisle on the right. Cardinal Hickey and Bishop William E. Lori would sit just behind me in the third row. Whenever he made an intervention, Cardinal Hickey was well prepared, bringing to the microphone the observations and statements he had carefully weighed and written.

The cardinal and I enjoyed some visits. One summer while I was in Ogdensburg, Cardinal Hickey spent a weekend at the Bishop’s House. He so enjoyed seeing the St. Lawrence River (one block beyond the residence) and Canada on the opposite side. We toured the locks at Massena and drove through the countryside surrounding Ogdensburg. We prayed together – at Mass in the chapel and in the Liturgy of the Hours. From the back porch, we watched the ships glide by on the Saint Lawrence on their way to and from the Great Lakes. I treasure that visit!

We also visited here, sometimes at my home in Arlington and at other times at his home in Washington. We would share our hopes for the growth of God’s Kingdom in the hearts of our people and discuss the challenges facing the Church in these times. Again, the Cardinal’s love for the Church, his deep concern for people, especially the poor and the needy, and his fraternal care for priests, who are our principal collaborators in the ministry: these were so evident. I always felt that I was in the presence of a gentle, caring, courageous shepherd. Whenever I left him, I did so encouraged and inspired to be more faithful, more caring, more courageous in my duties as a successor of the Apostles.

The media this week is recalling the many accomplishments Cardinal Hickey achieved in his life-time, beginning with his ministry in the Diocese of Saginaw, continuing in Rome as the Rector of the College and then as the Bishop of Cleveland and finally reaching a high point in the Archdiocese of Washington and internationally as a Cardinal of the Church. Every segment of God’s people was touched by his life and ministry.

Indeed, the pope and the papal household were the beneficiaries of Cardinal Hickey’s spiritual insights and pastoral care. Our Holy Father invited the then Archbishop Hickey to lead the Lenten spiritual exercises, February 21-27, 1988. The conferences which the Cardinal gave were later published with the title Mary at the Foot of the Cross: Teacher and Example of Holiness. Cardinal Hickey’s love for the Mother of God is well-known, so it is not surprising that this retreat would focus on Mary, the Mother of the Lord and our Mother. I am not sure if he was the first to call the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception "Mary’s House," but I heard him use that beautiful phrase so often. In fact, I now echo that phrase myself.

When he ended the papal retreat in 1988, Cardinal Hickey said: "Mary has taught us to suffer with Christ so as to reign with him." In the last several years of his life, especially in the past one and a half years, Cardinal Hickey experienced the cross of illness, limitation and physical weakness. He indeed suffered in union with Christ. May this gentle yet strong shepherd of God’s flock, this devoted son of Mary, this man of the Church, now experience fullness of life and joy in the presence of the Lord whom he served so faithfully and of the Blessed Mother whom he loved so tenderly.

Yes, I shall miss this good neighbor but I trust in his prayer for all of us who remain on pilgrimage. One day, may we see Cardinal Hickey again, and with him gaze upon the Blessed Trinity in the company of Mary and all the angels and the saints.

Goodbye, dear cardinal. Pray for us until we meet again, nevermore to part.

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