You are the real princes.

25 FEBRUARY 2012. Today at midmorning prayer in celebration of the elevation of Archbishop Timothy Dolan to cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI, Cardinal Dolan gave the faithful a look into his usual and signature Midwestern humility by honoring the faithful and the larger community in the Archdiocese of New York:

I say to you New Yorkers today: "You are the real princes." I come from a town of St. Louis that boasts: This Bud's for you. But I say this morning, New York, this hat's for you. New York: your light, your goodness, yes, your holiness is preeminent; and, I'm proud to call you, Your Eminence.

While not altogether within the geographic community of the Diocese of New York, all the country is proud to acclaim Cardinal Dolan, and Cardinal O'Brien, as lights of the faith.

Congratulations from AS. The prayers of we and all the faithful go with you in all that you do to be shepherds of the Church.

For Dolan, a Princely Announcement

7 JANUARY 2011. THE VATICAN. It has been announced that the Holy Father has named 22 new cardinals who will be installed in a consistory to be held on 18 February. Among the names of these new princes of the Church, one stands out to we Americans: Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York.

Congratulations Archbishop Dolan! Our prayers of support will go with you.

Of the 22 new cardinals, 4 are over the age of 80 and, thus, cannot act as electors in any upccoming conclave. This consistory will increase the total number of cardinal electors, then, to 126, 18 more than today's 108 living cardinal electors. (In total, there are today 192 living cardinals.)

A complete copy of the Vatican release on the upcoming consistory can be found here.

NOVUS: It has been correctly pointed out to me that Cardinal Zen, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, turns 80 on 13 January. So, there will be 125 cardinal electors after the upcoming consistory, not 126 as I incorrectly reported earlier.