After an entire year of planning, the special day finally arrived on September 21st – special celebration of the Diamond (60th) Anniversary of Ordination to the Holy Priesthood and the 30th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Francis X. Roque. The entire day was splendid! Festivities began with a very special Mass at 11 AM in our chapel when Bishop Roque was the main celebrant of Holy Mass and was joined by Archbishop Broglio, Archbishop of the Military Vicariate in Washington, D.C., Bishop Louis Gelineau and Bishop Robert Mulvee, Bishops Emeritus of the Diocese of Providence, Bishop Ernest Boland, OP from Providence College, Bishop Daniel Reilly from the Diocese of Worcester, MA, Fr. James Hamilton his classmate and 10 other priests of the Diocese of Providence. Bishop Thomas Tobin and Fr. Tim Reilly were able to be present at the dinner which followed the Mass. The liturgy was beautiful even including the singing of the Ave Maria by a friend and the Salve Regina by the priests present as a Prorecessional hymn. Before the end of Mass, Archbishop Broglio presented Bishop Roque with a special greeting and Apostolic Blessing from Pope Francis for the occasion.
Grace before meals was led by Fr. Paul Reynolds. A toast was made in honor of Bishop Roque by his nephew and namesake, Francis.
A surprise letter of special celebration greetings was read by one of the guests from Cardinal Timothy Dolan. Dinner was served with the elegant assistance of some Association Jeanne Jugan members and many volunteers. After the many guests were served, Bishop Thomas Tobin made some special remarks about the priesthood and about Bishop Roque. At the end of the meal the closing Grace was given by Bishop Louis Gelineau.
All guests were very happy to celebrate with Bishop Roque and he was even happier than they were to have achieved his 60 years of serving God’s people as a holy priest. Ad Multos Annos and God Bless Him!
Click here to view a photo slideshow from this event.
DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY OF ORDINATION OF BISHOP FRANCIS X. ROQUE RETIRED BISHOP OF THE MILITARY VICARIATE