Archbishop of US military services visits Kuwait for Christmas

Photo By 1st Lt. Eric Cameron | Archbishop Timothy Broglio, archbishop of military services, renders a blessing to the congregation at Camp Virginia Chapel, Kuwait. Soldiers of the 1/34 Brigade Combat Team from Minnesota were present during the services. The 1/34 BCT deployed to Kuwait in July of 2011 in support of Operation New Dawn.  

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT

12.24.2011

Story by 1st Lt. Eric Cameron 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait - Deployed soldiers sometimes experience difficulty being away from family when deployed overseas.

Fortunately, military chaplains perform or provide religious support for soldiers who want to practice their faith tradition as they do at home. The U.S. Army bases in Kuwait also received a special visitor this Christmas Eve in the person of Timothy Broglio, who is the archbishop of U.S. military services.

Archbishop Broglio’s diocese covers all Catholic service members of the entire armed services, although he is a civilian, not a military chaplain.

His visit to Camp Virginia started like many other VIP visits - with a tour of the base and a meeting with the camp command leadership. Later that afternoon, Chaplain (Maj.) Lanuevo and the archbishop conducted Christmas Eve Mass in the Camp Virginia chapel with 64 service members and civilians, the largest crowd for a Catholic service at Camp Virginia since the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team arrived in August.

During his homily, or teaching, the archbishop mentioned his first Christmas celebrations as a priest back in 1978. He noted if he was told he would celebrate Christmas services in Kuwait 33 years in the future he probably would have said: “Where’s Kuwait?”

He also mentioned the archbishop celebrating the Christmas services in a forward area is a tradition that goes back to 1942 and he felt honored to carry on the tradition.

There were several other indications this was more than just a weekday Mass: singing was conducted by a choir of three, along with accompaniment by a trumpet. Our own Maj. Richard Jensen of Ham Lake, Minn., also played the guitar and sang “Mary, Did You Know?” during communion.

Sgt. 1st Class Susan Porter of St. Cloud, Minn., said: “I was glad there was so much participation on Christmas Eve Mass from all the units here on post. From those who had done the readings to those who presented the gifts to the archbishop. It was a beautiful ceremony, one that makes memories.”

After the service, Camp Virginia hosted Archbishop Broglio at the main dining facility for the evening meal. He was able to share a meal with many of the soldiers and talk to them in a more relaxed atmosphere.

“It was a great opportunity for leaders from all camp tenants of Camp Virginia to visit with Archbishop Broglio and share with him our experiences," said Maj. Jensen, Camp Virginia deputy commander.

• Date Taken: 12.24.2011
• Date Posted: 01.11.2012 07:15
• Story ID: 82257
• Location: CAMP VIRGINIA, KW