Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Wednesday 07 June |
Saint of the Day: St. Raphael Guízar y Valencia
Aleteia logo

Good and faithful servant: Msgr. Vincent Topper dies, oldest and longest-serving priest in the United States

vincent-topper-4b6b395c80910f0e

Deacon Greg Kandra - published on 10/11/16

What can God do in your life with one Bible verse a day?
Subscribe to Aleteia's new service and bring Scripture into your morning:
Just one verse each day.
Click to bring God's word to your inbox

Details: 

“Wonderful things happen when God is a part of our lives. I believe a deepening awareness of God’s presence is one of the gifts of old age. It is His way of getting our undivided attention.! It moves you to deeper prayer and reflection. What will I say I have done with my life when I stand before God? My answer will be: I tried to be a good priest and to bring others to Christ. It might sound simple, but it’s what it all comes down to.” That was the message of Monsignor Vincent Topper, the oldest and longest-serving priest in the United States, on the 80th anniversary of his ordination on May 24 in St. St. Catherine Labouré Church in Harrisburg, according to the Diocese of Harrisburg. “We are all united to each other as children of God. Whether you are a relative or friend, religious sister, or my brother priest or deacon, I thank God that He put you in my life and made it happier because of you. I am so grateful for your prayers, love and goodness!” Monsignor Topper died Oct. 7 at St. Catherine Laboure, the Diocese of Harrisburg said. He was 104, and the diocese said that, according to Zenit News, he may have been the longest ordained diocesan priest in the world. The Archbishop Emeritus Peter Leo Gerety of Newark, N.J., born July 19, 1912, was previously the oldest bishop in the world, according to the National Catholic Register. He died Sept. 20.

Read on. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him… 

Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Entrust your prayer intentions to our network of monasteries


Top 10
See More