Cardinal S. Tamkevičius celebrates his 85th anniversary

Kaunas Archdiocese informs that Lithuanian bishops shared prayers and congratulations to the cardinal that day. Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Petaras Antunas Rajičius and Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis also came to the celebration to congratulate the Cardinal in the Kaunas Archcathedral Basilica.

The solemn Sunday Eucharist was led by Cardinal S. Tamkevičius himself, whose 85-year-old life and ministry included a family of loving parents, his response to the call to become a priest, his first years as a priest and his first clashes with the KGB, when he was banned from serving as a priest for a while.

Later, the “Chronicle of the Lithuanian Catholic Church” and the “earned” bread of a Soviet prisoner. When the gates of the camp were opened with an awakening Lithuania, the responsibility was faithfully and courageously accepted by the Bishop’s consecration – so that with the regained freedom of Lithuania, the Church in Lithuania would rise, heal its wounds, spread out, which until then had been completely forbidden, constrained and persecuted.

Cardinal Sigitas humbly asked the bishops and all brothers and sisters of faith gathered at this Thanksgiving Eucharist to thank him for the years of life God gave him and apologize together if, due to human weakness, we do not do everything that the Lord expects of us.

The archcathedral was full of its visitors, residents of Kaunas, listeners of “Marijas radio” and participants of live broadcasts on the Internet, celebrating this Eucharist by giving thanks also for the fact that God, who has guided and has not abandoned us in the difficult paths of life, continues to bless the Cardinal’s days today, giving strength and health.

Bishop Jonas Ivanauskas of Kaišiadori, who delivered the homily at the ceremony, was a former assistant to the Cardinal, then Archbishop of Kaunas Metropolitan S. Tamkevičius (2002-2012), in the context of Sunday’s Word of God, among other things, drew attention to the gift of God’s infinite kindness to us – Himself, His love. The deepest desire of Jesus is that the whole life of a Christian should be opened to receive God’s love. He himself, Christ, left his words and deeds for our life’s journey, so that we can be guided by them and follow his example.

At the end of the solemn Eucharist, the apostolic nuncio Archbishop Petaras Antunas Rajičius warmly congratulated the cardinal on behalf of the Holy Father. The apostolic nuncio pointed out that the cardinal’s childhood and youth were the time of Soviet oppression, but the Lord, despite the difficulties, called him to be his priest. In his congratulatory speech, Archbishop Rajičius emphasized the wonderful example of the service of a priest, bishop, and cardinal in his life, and wished the cardinal 100 years so that we could meet in the same beautiful celebration in 15 years.