225th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Knights and Dames of the Order of Malta celebrated the 225th Anniversary of the Archdiocese of Baltimore at a special Archdiocesan Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, November 2nd. Twenty-five members from Baltimore and surrounding regions joined the procession at this special Mass celebrated by Archbishop Lori with Cardinal O’Brien, joined by bishops from neighboring dioceses and former bishops of Baltimore. This Mass at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen celebrated the establishment of the Archdiocese of Baltimore on November 6, 1789, the first American diocese. It encompassed all 13 original states and the territories. That same year, the Bill of Rights was written, eventually helping to strike down many anti-Catholic laws across many states. Two centuries later we remain vigilant in protecting the First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion as part of our charism of defending the faith.