Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger

Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, Archbishop Emeritus of Paris, went to his eternal reward on August 5, 2007.

I remember Cardinal Lustiger through two events from 1999. In April of that year, my wife and I were in Paris on our honeymoon. We decided to go to Mass at the Cathedral of Notre Dame. We were a bit suprised to see Cardinal Lustiger as the presider. Being the good Catholic boy, I tried to get in Cardinal Lustiger's line for Communion. When I got close, I was diverted by the usher to the line where an auxiliary bishop was distributing Communion. Crestfallen, I returned to the pew after receiving Communion. At the conlusion of Mass, Cardinal Lustiger came down the main aisle and made an effort to meet as many Mass attendees as possible. When he came close to my wife and I, I tossed my new bride (a Lutheran) out of the way (much like famed Green Bay Packer Reggie White tossing aside a rookie offensive lineman on his way to sacking a quaterback) so that I could meet the Cardinal. During that same Mass, a man with behavioral issues began to approach the Cardinal from the main aisle at a very quiet and prayerful point during the Liturgy. Cardinal Lustiger simply made eye contact with the man and gently help up an admonishing finger. The man immediately returned to his pew. Obviously, Cardinal Lustiger had a unique connection with his flock.

Also in 1999, Cardinal Lustiger participated in a memorial ceremony recalling the deportation of French Jews to other parts of Europe, including concentration camps. The ceremony participants read the names of many of the deported Jews. Cardinal Lustiger read many of the names. At one point, he read the name of Gisele Lustiger and added "ma maman" - my mother. Until that point, many people did not realize that Cardinal Lustiger converted from the Jewish religion to Roman Catholicism as a young boy. During the war years, his mother was sent to a concentration camp where she died.

May he rest in peace.