February 8, 2008

Feb. 11 Mass to conclude archdiocesan novena

Archbishop Buechlein begins chemotherapy

Criterion staff report

In observance of the World Day of the Sick, the public is invited to attend a special Mass on Feb. 11 at noon at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

The Mass also concludes an archdiocesan novena to Our Lady of Lourdes that began on Feb. 3.

The novena and Feb. 11 Mass were initiated, in part, because of the recent discovery that Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein is suffering from Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, said the archbishop began chemotherapy on Feb. 1 to treat the cancer. The chemotherapy is expected to continue for about three months.

The archbishop’s doctors have told him that his prognosis is good and that chemotherapy is a highly effective treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“The very positive news is that there is not much more news than what we already knew,” said Msgr. Schaedel, who will be the principal celebrant at the special Feb. 11 Mass. “The cancer is confined to where it was first discovered, the right shoulder area. It has not spread elsewhere.”

Msgr. Schaedel said that Archbishop Buechlein is doing well following his first chemotherapy treatment and is in good spirits.

“Like all of us, he is hopeful and grateful. He appreciates all of our prayers,” Msgr. Schaedel said. “He is offering his own prayers and sacrifices for all of us and for the archdiocese.”

Feb. 11 is the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the Church’s primary patron saints of the sick. Since 1993, Feb. 11 has also been observed by the Church as the World Day of the Sick.

It also marks the 150th anniversary of the miraculous apparitions and healings at the Shrine in Lourdes, France, Msgr. Schaedel noted.

“The noon Mass at our cathedral that day will conclude the novena and be for the intentions of all those who are seriously ill, including Archbishop Buechlein,” he said. “All are invited.”

(To send a message of support and prayer to the archbishop, log on to www.archindy.org/archbishop.)†

Local site Links: