My brothers and sisters in Christ.
There is an understandable temptation at the end of a glorious celebration like this one.
but it is to God that the glory belongs.
To God who has blessed the church with Pope Benedict XVI, successor of Peter and vicar of Christ on earth.
May this feast of his patron, Saint Benedict, give him grace and the joy that comes from serving Christ faithfully.
To God who today has blessed us in a special way with the apostolic ministry
of Cardinal Laveda, Archbishop Wuerl, Archbishop Kelly, and the other bishops
present, may Christ the Good Shepherd sustain them in their service to the
church.
to God who has so abundantly blessed the church
through the Dominican Order.
May the order of preachers, under the mantle of the Mother of God, continue to flourish
in fraternal love purified in obedience to the truth.
To God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glory now and forevermore.