Who is Albert Cardinal Meyer

Albert Cardinal Meyer, after whom the annual lecture series is named, was one of the extraordinary churchmen in the history of the United States.  Perhaps the most influential American cardinal at the Second Vatican Council, he made a number of interventions which were significant in shaping the direction of that historic event in the modern church.  His forthright leadership, grounded in his faith and scholarship, made a great impact on the Church and the world.

Albert Meyer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 9, 1903.  He studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome and was ordained to the priesthood on July 11, 1926.

Father Meyer returned to this country to celebrate his First Solemn Mass and was then assigned to advanced studies back in Rome.  From 1927 to 1930 he studies biblical exegesis at the Pontifical Biblical Institute where he received the post-graduate degree of Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (S.S.L.).  Father Meyer was then appointed to the faculty of Saint Francis Seminary in Milwaukee where he taught Religion, Greek, Latin and Biblical Archeology.  Later, he was promoted to professor of Dogma and Scripture.  In 1937 he was named Rector.

Monsignor Meyer was nominated by the Holy Father as the sixth bishop of Superior, Wisconsin on February 18, 1946.  He was ordained a bishop in Saint John Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on April 11, 1946.

As a bishop, he served for seven years as Bishop of Superior, five years as Archbishop of Milwaukee and in 1958 he became the Archbishop of Chicago.  He was created cardinal priest of the Holy Roman Church with the title of Saint Cecilia by Blessed John XXIII on December 14, 1959.  He died April 9, 1965 and is buried on the campus of the University of St. Mary of the Lake / Mundelein Seminary.