BRIDGEPORT—The Most Rev. Frank J. Caggiano, Bishop of Bridgeport, will confer Pontifical Honors granted by His Holiness Pope Francis on 39 lay faithful of the diocese during a Vespers Prayer Service set for Sunday December 3, at 4 pm in St. Augustine Cathedral, 359 Washington Avenue, Bridgeport. All are invited to attend, or click here to watch the livestream of the Vespers ceremony.
During the Vespers Prayer Service, the Bishop will be conferring Benemerenti Medals and Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Medals on those who have served the diocese as donors, board members, and Catholic Center staff.
The bishop said that Papal Honors are a recognition of recipients and a celebration of the good work going on in the entire diocese.
“Please accept my heartfelt congratulation on receiving this special honor from Pope Francis. While it is a wonderful recognition of your commitment to the Catholic Faith, it is also a significant moment and source of pride for the diocese of Bridgeport. In gratitude for your generosity and faithful example, and with an assurance of my prayers for you and your family,” said the bishop when he notified recipients.
Bishop Caggiano said that several months ago he personally wrote to the Holy See in order to request that Pope Francis bestow the honors on those “who have distinguished themselves by their faith, wise counsel, and generous support of the mission of the Church.”
“Over one year ago, I began the process of petitioning the Holy See to award Pontifical Honors on 40 members of the lay faithful of the Diocese of Bridgeport. My desires was for the Holy Father to formally recognize those individuals who have distinguished themselves by their faith and generous support of the mission of the church,” he said.
The last time Papal Honors were conferred was in September 2018, when ten faithful were inducted into the Order of Saint Gregory the Great, and ten were inducted into the Order of Pope Saint Sylvester.
Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Medals are bestowed on individuals who have merited special recognition by the Holy See. The Medal, gold in color, is a Pontifical decoration conferred by the Pope on those faithful who have provided a distinguished level of service for both the universal Church and its head which deserve special recognition by him for their labors, and for their fidelity to and love of the Church. The obverse side of the medal depicts Sts. Peter and Paul in its center.
Benemerenti Medals are bestowed on individuals who have merited special recognition by the Holy See. This Medal is a Pontifical decoration conferred on recipients for distinguished service to Catholic principles, the Church and society, who have shown an active fidelity to and love for the Church. The medal is a Greek Cross, gold in color, depicting Jesus Christ with his hand raised in blessing
Papal Honors Recipients:
| Mr. Conrad and Mrs. Carol Calandra | St. Lawrence Parish, Shelton | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Ms. Debbie Charles | St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Dr. Steven Cheeseman | St. Mark Parish, Stratford | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Charles and Mrs. Ruth Chiusano | St. Pius X Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Ms. Sheila Clancy | St. Pius X Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Jim Colica | St. Mary Parish, Greenwich | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Al and Mrs. Chris DiGuido | St. Pius X Parish, Fairfield | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Michael and Mrs. Cece Donoghue | St. Thomas More Parish, Darien | Benemerenti |
| Ms. Betty Dunne | St. Matthew Parish, Norwalk | Benemerenti |
| Ms. Lisa Ferraro | St. Aloysius Parish, New Canaan | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Kevin and Mrs. Yvonne Grimes | St. Rose of Lima Parish, Newtown | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Michael Hanlon | Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Hamden | Benemerenti |
| Mrs. Judy Higgins | St. Mary Parish, Greenwich | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Edward and Mrs. Lydia Knapp | Georgetown Oratory, Redding | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Andy Knuth | St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Weston | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Tom Kolenberg | Basilica of St. John the Evangelist, Stamford | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mrs. Anne McCrory | St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Mrs. Erin Neil-Hickey | St. Louis de Montfort Parish, Litchfield | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Bill and Mrs. Diane Parrett | St. Aloysius Parish, New Canaan | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Peter and Mrs. Barbara Ripp | St. Michael the Archangel Parish, Greenwich | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mrs. Grace Rodriguez | St. Aloysius Parish, New Canaan | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Andrew Schulz | St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Bob and Mrs. Barbara Scinto | St. Pius X Parish, Fairfield | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. John and Mrs. Cindy Sites | St. John Parish, Darien | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
| Mr. Patrick and Mrs. Mary Ann Toole | St. Luke Parish, Westport | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Brian D. Wallace | St. Anthony of Padua Parish, Fairfield | Benemerenti |
| Mr. Chris and Mrs. Lorraine Wilson | St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, Fairfield | Cross Pro Ecclesia |
