Archbishop O’Brien announces papal honors for 24 in the archdiocese
Catholic school administrators, lay parish volunteers and prominent business leaders are among the 24 individuals in the Archdiocese of Baltimore who will be awarded papal honors at a special 4 p.m. prayer service at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland Nov. 20.
The awards, for outstanding service to the archdiocese and the papacy, include that of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great; Dame of the Order of St. Gregory, the Benemerenti Medal and the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice.
“I am grateful to our Holy Father for recognizing the gifts and graces shared so freely and generously by our priests and laity of the archdiocese,” Archbishop O’Brien said. “In celebrating them, we acknowledge the diversity of their service to our church and to others.”
Though the honorees haven’t sought recognition, the archbishop said, “their service commands it.”
“I am pleased we have this opportunity to hold them up as an example that others might follow,” he said, “just as Jesus did during his earthly life.”
The Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice is a papal award, but not a pontifical order. It was established by Pope Leo XIII in 1888 to mark his 50th priestly jubilee. It is awarded to lay persons and clergy who have given service to the church.
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice
The Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice (Latin – For the Church and the Pope) medal, also known as the “Cross of Honour”, was established in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII. It is currently given for distinguished service to the Chuch by lay people and clergy. It is the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy. Its object is to reward those who in a general way deserve well of the pope on account of services done to the Church and its head. The decoration is worn on the right side of the breast.
Deacon Joseph C. Krysiak
Ordained to the permanent diaconate in 1996, Deacon Krysiak has ministered for 15 years at his home parish of St. Anthony of Padua/Most Precious Blood in Northeast Baltimore. In 2009, he assumed the day-to-day pastoral care and administrative responsibility for St. Anthony/Most Precious Blood pending the assignment of a new pastor a year later.
Oblate Sister of Providence Rita Michelle Proctor
Sister Rita Michelle has devoted her religious life to the education of African-American children in economically challenged Catholic schools. She currently is the principal of Cardinal Shehan School in Baltimore, where she was previously the assistant principal for eight years and interim principal for one. Sister Rita Michelle was also the principal of Father Charles Hall Elementary School for seven years and a teacher at Father Charles Hall Middle School for five years. She was the founding principal of Mother Mary Lange School in Northeast Baltimore.
