Kingston Archbishop Brendan O’Brien, centre, and Peterborough Bishop Nicola DeAngelis, right, surprise Prof. Thomas T.H. Symons with a knighthood from Pope Benedict XVI.

Symons was made a Knight of St. Sylvester at the Feb. 3 inaugural convocation ceremony for Sacred Heart College in Peterborough. Symons helped found Sacred Heart, the new Catholic college affiliated with Peterborough’s Trent University. He was also a founder of Trent back in 1964 and chairs the board of trustees for Sacred Heart College.

Cardinal-designate Thomas Collins will be elevated to the College of Cardinals by the Pope at a Vatican ceremony on Feb. 18. Amid a busy schedule as he prepares for that important event, he took time to speak directly to the readers of The Catholic Register by answering a set of prepared questions.

What has your life been like since the announcement on Jan. 6 in terms of public reaction and demands on your time?

In many ways, my daily life hasn’t changed since the Holy Father announced my appointment to the College of Cardinals. My schedule remains as busy as ever, serving the people of the archdiocese of Toronto. Of course, there has been some time involved in preparing for the consistory on Feb. 18, but nothing too onerous.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Pope Benedict XVI has named 22 men to the College of Cardinals. They are listed below.

Cardinal-designate Thomas Collins will become the 16th Canadian Cardinal. View details of the other "princes of the church" below.