Prestigious award given to local resident

By Rosanne Bowman

LIMA — Rosalyn Liston, a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, got a big surprise when she answered her phone June 5, and found out she, along with 10 others from within the Toledo Diocese would be receiving a prestigious honor — the Benemerenti Medal.

The Benemerenti Medal is a papal honor — papal meaning conferred by the pope — given to people who have made an outstanding contribution to the wider Catholic community at the diocesan level. According to Kelly O'Loughlin, communications coordinator for the Toledo Diocese, the medal is given to people who impact the Catholic community as a whole and inspire them to live a more committed Catholic life.

“They called and asked me first if I was planning on coming to the cathedral for the ceremony,” Liston said. “I was humbled by it and actually speechless when I was told.”

The word “benemerenti” means well-deserved. The medal was first bestowed by Pope Pius VI in 1791 as an award for military courage in the defense of the temporal papal states. The temporal papal states were areas in what is now Italy that were under the governing authority of the pope.

At that time, the medal could not be given to civilians or clergy, but in 1925, that changed. It became acceptable to award the Benemerenti Medal to people for outstanding service to the church. Since that time, the award is only given out during a holy year, also called a jubilee, which is simply a year of celebration to mark a special anniversary or event.

The Toledo Diocese was celebrating its jubilee to commemorate its 100th year as a diocese. The diocese, which was established in 1910 and encompasses 126 parishes in 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, closed its yearlong centennial celebration in a ceremony on June 12. Bishop Leonard Blair requested that Pope Benedict XVI confer these medals as part of commemorating the ending of the diocese's holy year.

“As a community of faith, it is important that we find ways of saying thank you to one another,” according to a statement from Blair. “After a hundred years as a diocese, it is impossible to thank everyone, but it is possible to identify representative lay individuals and couples, and deacons from each parish and institution who exemplify Christian service and to express our gratitude.”

A search committee organized by the bishop reviewed nominations from the various parishes for possible medalists. Using a list of criteria, they selected the final 11 awardees. The criteria included being baptized and confirmed as a Latin rite Catholic; being at least 35 years old; having character and moral integrity; advancing the missions and goals of the Toledo Diocese; demonstrating leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work; and being known for upholding and practicing the Catholic faith. Blair had the final say over the board-selected nominees.

Liston was selected because of her service on two boards. She has served five years on the Review Board for Sexual Abuse. This board reviews cases of alleged sexual abuse by clergy. She admits that it can be a difficult job at times.

She has also served for almost 11 years on the Seminarian Admissions and Formation Board. This board reviews applications of young men for seminary and also follows their progress or formation throughout seminary. In addition, she has been a long-time member of the Toledo Diocesan Liturgical Commission. Places on these boards are appointed by the bishop of the diocese.

In addition to her work for the church, Liston currently teaches in the medical technologies program for Rhodes State College at Lima Central Catholic High School. She holds degrees in counseling and psychology, as well as a doctorate in education. She has been teaching in one way or another, all of her life.

Liston attended the ceremony with her three sisters and brother-in-law. They were seated with other awardees in the sanctuary of the cathedral. She received her medal at a closing Centenary Vesper Service on Pentecost Sunday, June 12 at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral in Toledo. Each awardee at the formal event was called up individually to be presented with their medal in a special white case, along with a large certificate, both of which were created and sent from the Vatican in Rome.

In addition to the 11 Benemerenti Medalists, the church also recognized 139 members from various parishes and religious institutes, which include hospitals, religious orders and Catholic high schools, with a centenary award. Awardees were nominated by their parish for representing Christian service within their parish or institute.

“It was a beautiful ceremony,” Liston said. “We had the blessed sacrament and evening prayer of the church. This has been such a humbling experience for me. Not a day has gone by that I have not received a card or a phone call about this.”

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