Diocese of Boise
12 hours ago4 min
Monsignor Andy Schumacher provides an anointing. (ICR Archive Photo)
By Emily Woodham
Assistant Editor
Family and friends gathered from around the state to honor Monsignor Andrew Schumacher on his 90th birthday on March 18. This year also marks the 65th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood on Dec. 20.
Born and raised in Greencreek,
he served in several parishes around the state. Among his many accomplishments, Monsignor Schumacher oversaw the plans and construction for St. Augustine’s Student Center in Moscow and led the renovations at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise when he was rector for Bishop Sylvester Treinen (1962-1988).
Born and raised in Greencreek, he served in several parishes around the state. Among his many accomplishments, Monsignor Schumacher oversaw the plans and construction for St. Augustine’s Student Center in Moscow and led the renovations at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Boise when he was rector for Bishop Sylvester Treinen (1962-1988).
When Pope Pius XII died in 1958, “The Vatican called upon the North American College students to stand watch over the pope’s body while he lay in state,” Monsignor Schumacher said. Students took turns kneeling at the foot of the funeral bier, and Monsignor Schumacher and a classmate were assigned the final hour.
“We were there when they locked the doors so no more visitors could come in. We stayed there and watched them prepare Pope Pius XII for burial, which took place later that afternoon,” he said.
Throughout his life, he has met and celebrated Masses with popes and saints, including Pope St. John XXIII and Pope St. John Paul II. He also encountered St. Pio de Pietrelcina.
“I met Padre Pio in 1958,” he said. When they arrived in San Giovanni in Rotundo, Monsignor and his friends were told to ask Padre Pio to adopt them as his spiritual sons, but they thought they would not have a chance to see him as the crowds were so large. They were able to sneak in among a crowd gathering for an audience and were invited by an aide to wait in a room where a more intimate conversation could occur. When Padre Pio arrived, they chatted with him and then asked to be his spiritual sons.
“We knew he was a saint,” Monsignor Schumacher said. Padre Pio agreed they could be his spiritual sons but let them know it wasn’t automatic—they had to do their part by living a life befitting his spiritual children.
Monsignor Schumacher was ordained in Rome by Archbishop Martin O’Connor, rector of the North American College, on Dec. 20, 1959, with 52 classmates. Although ordained, the new priests continued at the College in Rome for their exams. Before they left, it was announced that a new ecumenical council would be formed. That momentous gathering was the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), whose first working session began in October 1962.
American College, on Dec. 20, 1959, with 52 classmates. Although ordained, the new priests continued at the College in Rome for their exams. Before they left, it was announced that a new ecumenical council would be formed. That momentous gathering was the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), whose first working session began in October 1962.
“It was wonderful at St. Augustine’s. It kept me young,” he said.
Monsignor Schumacher used Vatican II elements in the chapel’s construction and artwork. He wanted the congregation to have in focus all four aspects of the Body of Christ in their worship at Mass: the assembly (the mystical Body of Christ), the priest acting “in persona Christi” (in the Person of Christ), the Word of God (Christ present in Sacred Scripture) and, most prominently, the Holy Eucharist (Christ’s Body and Blood in the sacrament).
In 1974, he was assigned as rector at the Cathedral in Boise. Five years later, he began remodeling the Cathedral to comply with the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from Vatican II.
In 1974, he was assigned as rector at the Cathedral in Boise. Five years later, he began remodeling the Cathedral to comply with the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from Vatican II.
In 1974, he was assigned as rector at the Cathedral in Boise. Five years later, he began remodeling the Cathedral to comply with the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy from Vatican II.
In his last years of active ministry and during his retirement, he served as Minister to Priests and on the Board of Catholic Charities of Idaho.
As he looks back on his many accomplishments and travels, he said he still holds close to his heart the servant-leadership model of Pope St. John XXIII. When he became pope, he quoted from Mark 10:45: ‘I have come to serve, not to be served.’ His humility truly impressed me, and so I have tried to live by that.”
Monsignor Schumacher celebrates his 90th birthday. (Courtesy photo/Ian Dorling)
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