Eighteen
BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE between Myerton and Baltimore, the Archbishop suggested we meet at his private retreat, a small cabin located on the edge of the grounds of Our Lady of the Mount. When I get there, I see smoke coming out of the chimney and know that he must have called Brother Martin to have one of the younger monks get the place ready for us.
I also see the Archbishop’s car.
At my knock, I hear a cheery “come in,” and walk in to find the head of our Archdiocese parked in a comfortable chair near the fire, wearing a Loyola College sweatshirt and jeans. It’s the most informal I’ve ever seen His Eminence, and in my clericals I feel overdressed.
Without getting up, he waves me to the chair next to his. After leading us in a quick prayer, he says cheerfully, “I didn’t expe
