above: Cardinal Timothy Dolan administers a blessing and visits Berkemeier Living Center. below: Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Dr. David Gentner, Dr. Nicholas Cicchetti
His Eminence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, visited Wartburg’s historic campus to celebrate a special Mass dedicated to the many women religious residing at Wartburg. The visit served as a tribute to Wartburg’s continuing legacy of service spanning nearly 160 years.
More than 100 people, including administrators, staff, residents, and families, gathered to participate in the prayer service led by Cardinal Dolan. His visit commemorated Wartburg’s social ministries and its enduring mission to support seniors and vulnerable populations in the region.
During the Mass, Cardinal Dolan highlighted the significance of the blessing of St. Blaise, traditionally observed on this day for protection against injuries and illnesses of the throat. He invoked the saint’s intercession, proclaiming, “Through the intercession of Saint Blaise, may God deliver you from every disease of the throat and from every other illness.”
In his homily, Cardinal Dolan expressed gratitude for the hospitality and care provided by Wartburg. “We praise the Lord for the hospitality, and the warmth, and the embrace of the Wartburg community, for all the residents here, especially for our beloved consecrated religious,” he stated.
His Eminence also visited the Berkemeier Living Center, Wartburg’s award-winning Memory Care building for those with Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementias and later joined many of the sisters for lunch.
Dr. David J. Gentner, President and CEO of Wartburg, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the profound spiritual and communal impact of the event. “This Mass was a beautiful way to provide spiritual nourishment to the greater Wartburg and Mount Vernon community,” he said. In recognition of Cardinal Dolan’s visit, Dr. Gentner presented him with a proclamation on behalf of the Board of Directors, officially designating His Eminence a Patron and Friend of Wartburg.
Visit www.wartburg.org, for more information.
