By Martina Hart

Martina Hart Photo Msgr. P. Edward Sadie offers his homily for the Mass he celebrated on his 90th birthday at the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston.

Msgr. P. Edward Sadie, P.A., V.F., S.T.L., rector emeritus of the Basilica of the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Charleston, celebrated his 90th birthday on Dec. 15 with Mass at the basilica. Concelebrants were Very Rev. Donald X. Higgs, Assoc. V.F., rector of the basilica; Father Binu Emmanuel, CST, associate rector; and Father Leon Alexander. Due to current COVID precautions, attendance was restricted to 75 participants, and reservations had filled up quickly. Thanks to Facebook livestream, many others were able to be virtually present including current parishioners, former parishioners who had moved out of state, as well as Msgr. Sadie’s extended family, multiple nieces and nephews, in Alabama. Ordained to the priesthood in 1957, Msgr. Sadie arrived in Charleston in 1969, being assigned first to St. Agnes Parish and then in 1980 to Sacred Heart Parish where he served until his retirement from active priesthood in 2016. “It’s a true blessing for me to celebrate this sacred Mass in the church,” Msgr. Sadie said in his homily. “And for this I want to express my thanks to Father Higgs, Father Binu, Father Leon for coming to concelebrate, the parish staff, my secretary and all those who arranged this wonderful occasion.” He had been celebrating private Masses at home but had been advised not to invite anyone else. “I guess it’s not easy to attain the age of 90,” he said. “But all I had to do was keep breathing.” Since many had asked about his health, he gave an account of the various surgeries and hospital stays since his retirement. “I have been blessed in so many ways,” he said. “And I can’t tell you how much I appreciate God’s graces in my own life.” He was most grateful for the healthcare system in Charleston and for the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in pro- viding good health insurance to their priests. “Prayer has sustained me these last few months,” Msgr. Sadie continued. He acknowledged that he had never thought much of Jesus’ saying to “pray without ceasing” but now is using any time he is free of activity to pray. “I pray the Angelus three times a day,” he said. “Partly as a penance for my past sins and also in gratitude to God, his Blessed Mother and all the saints.” He invited the congregation “amid the trials and tribulations” to think of the many blessings they experience day in and day out and recognizing “the risen Christ who comes to us through those around us.” After Communion, the Sisters of the Infant Jesus sang the Magnificat in Shona, their native Zimbabwean language. Upon Msgr. Sadie’s invitation, their congregation had opened a convent in Charleston in 2013. Mass concluded with the final blessing and everyone singing Happy Birthday. “I do appreciate your prayers and support,” Msgr. Sadie said. “And be assured of my continued prayers.”