By Catholic Review Staff
Monsignor James V. Hobbs, a former rector of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, died June 10. He was 81.
A 10 a.m. funeral Mass will be offered June 16 at the Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg.
Educated by the Daughters of Charity at St. Anthony School in Frederick County, Monsignor Hobbs attended St. Charles minor seminary in Catonsville before studying at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore.
Ordained on May 25, 1957, Monsignor Hobbs served as an associate pastor for 15 years at St. Mary, Cumberland, before becoming pastor of St. Rose of Lima, Brooklyn, from 1972 to 1978.
From 1978 to 1992, Monsignor Hobbs served as associate pastor of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, Homeland, before becoming rector of the basilica in 1992. He retired in 2008, but continued to assist in Central Maryland parishes.
During his tenure at the basilica, Monsignor Hobbs hosted visits from Blessed Mother Teresa and Blessed Pope John Paul II. The basilica also underwent a multi-million dollar restoration.
In a 2008 article about Monsignor Hobbs’ retirement, Michael Ruck, chairman of the Basilica of the Assumption Historic Trust, said Monsignor Hobbs’ contribution to the restoration was “critical.”
“He labored over the details and made sure the liturgical structures were accurate,” Ruck said.
At his retirement, Monsignor Hobbs told the Catholic Review he enjoyed every moment of his ministry.
Copyright (c) June 13, 2012 CatholicReview.org