Mount Saint Joseph is one of the most cherished institutions in the Diocese of Owensboro.

In early September 1925, the newly-appointed Bishop of Louisville, Bishop John A. Floersh, received some distressing news.

Believe it or not, you may have received a Papal Blessing and didn’t even know it. Yes, you read that correctly. I, too, think that I would know if the Holy Father bestowed a blessing upon me. This, however, may not be the case.

As Catholics, we are known for our spiritual devotions, traditions and aesthetic rituals. However, of all our characteristic features, we are perhaps most renowned for our devotion to the Blessed Mother.

With the birth of our Savior fast approaching, I wanted this month’s article to, of course, focus on something Christmas related. On a Zoom staff meeting, Tom Lilly, the chancellor of the Diocese of Owensboro, mentioned that the late Bishop John J. McRaith’s birthday was coming up in December. With that in mind, I began to read through the papers of our departed bishop.

An earthly remnant of a heavenly destiny, relics, perhaps more than any other item in the Catholic Church, allow the faithful to connect with those holy souls that came before us. They also command a great deal of interest.