While many might reflect on past mentors in silence, Cardinal Timothy Dolan of New York took things a step further — flying across the Atlantic to Ireland to visit a woman who had an enormous influence on his life and vocation: Sister Mary Bosco, a beloved 100-year-old Irish nun.
In a heartfelt video shared on social media on May 14, Dolan appears with Sister Bosco in Tullamore, Ireland, where she now resides.
Beaming with gratitude, he fondly recalls how she helped plant the seeds of faith in him when he was just a young boy.
“She taught me when I was just a little boy,” he said with clear admiration.
“She’s 100 years old now — and still a spiritual powerhouse.”
Remembering a Life of Faith and the Power of Choice
In the video, Cardinal Dolan reflects on the many blessings he’s thankful for, connecting the moment with the recent election of Pope Leo XIV, and even his own family.
“Choosing is always important for God — He chooses us!” he said warmly.
“I thank God for Sister Bosco’s vocation, the call of Pope Leo, for St. Matthias whose feast day is today, and for my parents, who chose to get married today in 1949.”
He smiled and added, “That’s choice in action. Thank God for calling us.”
It was a beautiful blend of personal memory and spiritual insight — classic Dolan style.
A Birthday Tribute That Spoke Volumes
This wasn’t the first time Cardinal Dolan publicly praised Sister Bosco.
Back on January 4, in honor of her 100th birthday, he posted a touching video message celebrating her milestone.
In that message, he said she had “played a crucial role in my life,” recounting how she taught him in second, fourth, and fifth grade.
But her role in his life went far beyond academics.
According to Dolan, “She taught me wisdom, she taught me knowledge, she taught me to put Jesus first.”
He added that she helped shape his love for the Church and nurtured his desire to receive holy Communion and live by the commandments and beatitudes.
Grateful for the Woman Who Made Him Who He Is
Cardinal Dolan didn’t mince words when he reflected on Sister Bosco’s impact: “I don’t know where I would be without her.”
It’s not every day that a Church leader — let alone one of the most prominent American cardinals — publicly credits a childhood teacher so profoundly.
But for Dolan, it was more than a kind gesture.
It was a public act of gratitude for the woman who helped set him on the path of service and devotion.
This heartwarming reunion reminds us that behind every leader is someone who helped guide them — often quietly, faithfully, and with deep love.