Twenty-fifth in a series on the 75th anniversary of the Diocese of Madison
The Diocese of Madison celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a busy year of activities from April 21, 1996, to April 13, 1997.
The theme of the jubilee was “Building Our Future in Faith.” A hymn, “Come in Jubilee Rejoicing,” was specially composed with text by Delores Dufner, OSB, and music by Robert Lew Blanc.
A logo was adopted for use at functions during the year-long celebration.
A jubilee quilt was coordinated by the Jubilee Arts Committee and quilted by the Good Shepherd, Westfield, parish quilting group. The eight by 10-foot quilt included 176 patches, contributed by all parishes, missions, and Religious Orders of men and women in the diocese. It was displayed at jubilee events.
Jubilee events
The celebration began on April 21, 1996, with a Mass at St. Raphael Cathedral in Madison. Festive banners decorated the sanctuary of the cathedral for the Mass.
The cathedral bells rang out as people from throughout the diocese gathered.
Bishop William H. Bullock presided and preached the homily with many priests from throughout the diocese concelebrating.
In his proclamation for the jubilee, Bishop Bullock said, “Together as the People of God, we praise, bless, adore, and thank Him for these 50 years of love and grace. We now solemnly pledge the full use of our time, treasure, and talent to Build Our Future in Faith.”
Other events during the jubilee celebration included an outdoor Mass and concert at Holy Name Catholic Center in Madison, an outdoor rural Mass near a hay field in Cassville, and an all-school Mass for over 8,000 Catholic school students of the diocese at the Dane County Coliseum in Madison.
The Diocese of Madison also produced a special Golden Jubilee video which aired on WISC-TV on Easter Sunday, March 30, 1997.
The 30-minute video included scenes and people from throughout the diocese. Partial funding for the video was provided by Catholic Knights Insurance Society.
Many parishes throughout the diocese got into the Golden Jubilee spirit by hosting special events and displays of historical memorabilia and photos.
Pilgrimage to Italy
Another highlight was an 11-day pilgrimage to Rome, Assisi, and Florence with 84 pilgrims, including this writer.
Bishop Bullock and Auxiliary Bishop George O. Wirz led the pilgrimage from October 11 to 22, 1996.
The group took many prayers along with them from people throughout the diocese.
The pilgrims found it a spiritually uplifting experience to walk in the footsteps of Sts. Peter and Paul, Benedict, Francis, Clare, and so many other saints and leaders of the Church.
The pilgrimage included a visit to the American Cemetery at Anzio, where soldiers who fought in World War II are buried. Bishop Bullock, who himself served in the Navy during the war, prayed at the graves of the soldiers who died defending freedom.
The pilgrimage included a Mass and tour of St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel.
Pilgrims also enjoyed a visit to Assisi and the Basilica of St. Francis as well as to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David statue and other artistic and religious sites.
The Golden Jubilee closed with a special Mass at St. Raphael Cathedral on April 13, 1997.
The jubilee year “was a very exciting moment for the diocese,” said Bishop Bullock. “A highlight for me was the willingness with which people gathered for our events. People are beginning to know each other better and to share their common faith story.”
Sources: Building Our Future in Faith: Commemorative History of the Catholic Diocese of Madison (1996); archives of the Catholic Herald newspaper.
Mary C. Uhler served on the staff of the Catholic Herald-Diocese of Madison for almost 47 years, the last 34 years as editor. She retired in July of 2020.