Father Michael Gilligan then said that in our country we rightly honor athletes and entertainers.  Generally, anti-intellectualism pervades our culture. However, Pope John Paul made Father Avery Dulles a cardinal for a good reason.  We also need to honor our intellectual leaders.  The U.S. Catholic Church has by far the most extensive private educational system in the world, from Mokena, Illnois, to South Bend, Indiana.  Hence, we Catholics have an intellectual tradition to foster and to share with American culture.  Justice Scalia, then, is honored for his intellectual contribution to the ongoing study of constitutional law.  After the conferral of the Gratiam Dei Award, all sang  Ad Multos Annos ("for many years"), as a tribute to Justice Scalia.

In his lecture, the Justice relied on New Testament texts to indicate that separation of church and state is in fact founded in the Christian tradition itself.  He argued that, while religion and culture influence each other in many ways, church and state truly represent two distinct kingdoms, with different purposes and norms.   People listened to his words with rapt attention, throughout. 

The evening concluded with a sung Litany of Peace; the response, Kyrie eleison, was sung by all present in four parts.  The concluding prayer, grace after meals, was said by Father Bill Killeen, the pastor of Infant Jesus of Prague Church, in Flossmoor.  He led those present in reciting the twentieth century Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi.

For a gallery of photos from this dinner and lecture, including a slide show, you can go directly to the Daily Southtown site album, Justice Antonin Scalia Visits Flossmoor.

For a summary of the lecture given by Justice Scalia, go to what was reported in The Star newspaper. 

For another report, go to the article by Patty Gayes, from the newspaper of the Archdiocese of Chicago, the New World.