The letter, written in Latin and personally signed by the Holy Father, expresses congratulations to the Archbishop. It recognizes the Archbishop's expertise in Ambrosian chant and also his musical achievements. The letter also reflects upon the Archbishop's role in drafting the National Conference of Catholic Bishops' economic pastoral letter, "Economic Justice for All," in 1986. The Pope writes, "Your Brother Bishops of the Conference of the United States assigned to you the singular position and responsibility of raising the cause of justice for the poor in your country and throughout the world."

In closing, the Holy Father imparted his Apostolic Blessing to the Archbishop and to all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Archbishop Weakland will extend this blessing to Catholics of the Archdiocese on Sunday, June 24, during the 8 a.m. Mass at St. John's Cathedral. Mass is being celebrated in the Cathedral school building during renovation.

Here is a translation of the text of the Holy Father's letter to Archbishop Weakland:

Venerable brother, just as you personally received some years ago from our hands the episcopal pallium at the tombs of the apostles, so today you receive this letter from our heart on the shores of Lake Michigan. In this letter we wish to remember and celebrate the approaching anniversary of both your religious life and, most especially, your priestly life - as we like to do for all our brothers in the episcopacy throughout the world.

You have dedicated one-half of the many years of your ministry to the cares and causes of the honored Benedictine Order, and one-half to the people of Milwaukee, who are especially dear to us. Thus, we publicly express our congratulations, first of all, with the worldwide Benedictine family, whose son you can rightly boast of being for 55 years, and, as everyone knows, for 10 of those years you were here in Rome as abbot primate of all the federated Benedictines.

Twenty-four years ago, our predecessor of immortal memory, Paul VI, chose your very person to be over the renowned church community of Milwaukee. We rightly acknowledge that we share in the sentiments of the clergy and Catholic faithful of Milwaukee regarding the most joyous renown of their pastor. We know he is numbered among the premier experts in the world in Ambrosian chant and among those who are publicly recognized as professors of the art of music.

Recalling the day of your priestly ordination on June 24, venerable brother, we earnestly ask that St. Ambrose of Milan, your holy guide and teacher, your example and inspiration, refresh your soul at this time with interior peace. We ask that this peace be as the sound of music (the sound Ambrose believed had occurred at the creation of the world), so that, in your ears and heart, the Divine Shepherd Jesus Christ "may create equally balanced harmonies that exceed all the sweetness of musical song." (Hexameron II, 2,6).

Your brother bishops of the conference of the United States assigned to you the singular position and responsibility of raising the cause of justice for the poor in your country and throughout the world. To theirs we add our voice to congratulate you for completing 50 years of your priesthood. Together we pray for you that this most auspicious day may shine with most favorable light, and that it may not only encourage you in the coming years in accord with the Rule of your Holy Father Benedict, but that it may urge you to make ever more auspicious progress in the cause of our Lord and Redeemer.

We impart our apostolic blessing on this occasion both to you and also to the entire flock of Milwaukee.

From the Vatican, May 20, 2001, the 23rd year of our pontificate.


John Paul II