Wednesday, Jan. 20, was a very Catholic day. It began with the president-elect bringing the political leadership of the nation to Mass. Joe Biden walked into my old parish, the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, followed by the vice president-elect, the speaker of the House, and the majority and minority leaders of both chambers of Congress. After four years of a president incapable of not patting himself on the back in every public moment, it was a welcome change to see a president who is not afraid to go to Mass, where we begin by begging pardon and finish by receiving the gift of eucharistic grace.
The night before, Mr. Biden led the country in a short but poignant ritual of remembrance for those killed by the COVID-19 virus. Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory, Biden's new pastor, offered a beautiful prayer to begin the ceremony. He prayed, in part, "Let us, with one heart, commend those who have died from this virus and all of their loved ones to the providential care of the One who is the ultimate source of peace, unity and concord." After what the country has witnessed in the past few weeks, how refreshing to be reminded that God offers "peace, unity and concord."
The official inaugural ceremony began with a prayer from Jesuit Fr. Leo Donovan. He did not begin, as Cardinal Richard Cushing did 60 years ago, and as Catholics normally begin their prayers, with the sign of the cross and the words, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." (Cushing actually used the words "Holy Ghost.") But, over Donovan's right shoulder you could see Biden make the sign of the cross anyway. Later, when Biden concluded a moment of silence for those who died from COVID-19, you could see a National Guard member make the sign of the cross.
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