Timeline - The path taken on the road to the College of Cardinals
Thomas Christopher Collins
o Born in Guelph, Ont., Jan. 16, 1947
o Obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) from St. Jerome’s College in Waterloo, Ont., 1969
o Ordained to the diaconate, May 14, 1972
Thomas Collins - A scholar priest
Thomas Collins began his education in St. Stanislaw’s School in the shadow of Our Lady Immaculate Church in Guelph. High school was just across the way at Bishop Macdonell High School. At every stage, it has been a thoroughly Catholic education.
Collins busy beyond duties as archbishop of Toronto
o Member of Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Permanent Council
o Chancellor, University of St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto
o Chancellor, Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, Toronto
The great crash in Guelph, circa 1957
There’s a story that circulates around Guelph, Ont., about how Cardinal-elect Thomas Collins barely escaped Our Lady Immaculate Church with his life.
In one version, a 10-year-old Collins was almost killed when a statue of Our Lady came loose from the roof of the church and crashed at his feet. This somehow drove him into the priesthood.
The story is utter nonsense. We got the true story from the man himself.
Vestments and symbols of the Office of the Cardinal
When Archbishop Thomas Collins becomes Thomas Cardinal Collins the principal colour of his vestments will become scarlet to symbolize the blood that a cardinal is willing to shed for his faith.
Scarlet was installed as the colour for cardinals by Pope Gregory X at the Second Council of Lyon in 1274.
A Coat of Arms fit for a cardinal
With his elevation to the College of Cardinals, Archbishop Thomas Collins has updated his bishop’s coat of arms. The biggest change is an emphasis on the colour red of a cardinal. Here is an explanation of the new emblem.
The motto “Deum Adora” (Worship God) is taken from Revelation 22:9.
The Catholic Church’s newest cardinals
Pope Benedict XVI has named 22 men to the College of Cardinals. They are listed below.
Canada’s 16 Cardinals, 1870-2012
Cardinal-designate Thomas Collins will become the 16th Canadian Cardinal. View details of the other "princes of the church" below.
New cardinals will join 108 eligible to elect pope
The following is the list of cardinals under the age of 80 who are eligible to elect the pope. They are listed in alphabetical order, with their country.
Salt+Light has consistory covered
Although the consistory to elevate Archbishop Thomas Collins to cardinal is being held in the Vatican, the events of this historic week are only an alarm clock (or rooster) away for most Canadians.
Salt + Light Television will be carrying the major events live and showing others on tape delay. That means that, due to the six-hour time difference between Rome and Toronto, viewers will need to be in front of their televisions in the wee hours of the morning to witness Collins receive his red hat from Pope Benedict XVI.