“Human and Christian life calls for growth. Such growth comes through prayer, reflection, and study. There is a need for all of us, including myself, to recognize this priority in our lives today. As a Pilgrim People of God who constitute the Church today, let us keep on searching for ways in which all of us are able to respond to the challenge of growth in prayer and knowledge. Such growth brings life; without it, we stagnate.”
ARCHBISHOP THOMAS J. MURPHY

The Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Archive

coadjutor Welcome to the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Archive. Archbishop Murphy was a prolific writer throughout his life as a priest and bishop. The written word was one of his passions. He possessed a unique ability to share thoughts and perspectives on the core teachings and doctrine of the Catholic Church that spoke to ordained ministers, religious women and men and the laity in a meaningful and relatable way.

The archive contains 1,176 documents spanning the following segments of the archbishop’s life and ministry:

1972 to 1978 – Priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago and Rector of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, IL (now called the University of St. Mary of the Lake)
1978 to 1987 – Bishop of Great Falls-Billings, MT
1987 to 1991 – Coadjutor Archbishop of Seattle, WA
1991 to 1997 – Archbishop of Seattle, WA

There are five document categories:

153 Addresses >

21 Articles >

583 Columns >

352 Homilies >

67 Other >

Each of the 1,176 documents falls into one of 39 different subject categories. Archbishop Murphy wrote extensively on a number of topics including: Catholic schools and religious education, the celebration of the Eucharist, the gift of life from conception to natural death, the parish community and stewardship.

The Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Archive is truly a unique online resource. It has no peer. People of all ages, religious backgrounds and walks of life can use it to learn more about the tenets of the Catholic Church as they continually strive to deepen their faith and build a relationship with God.

We would like to extend our most sincere gratitude and appreciation to Diocese of Great Falls-Billings, MT and the Archives Department of the Archdiocese of Seattle. Each of these organizations made material contributions to the development of the archive. Their tireless efforts and dedication to this endeavor will forever be appreciated.

A call to action this Advent season: “Take all the promises of tomorrow and make them come alive today”

One of the most meaningful aspects of the archive is that it contains 352 homilies written by Archbishop Murphy.

The archbishop delivered a compelling homily on December 3, 1995, the first Sunday of Advent, in St. James Cathedral. He asked all those present to make the Advent season a truly meaningful one by stating, “But these four short weeks (of Advent) are also a time for us not only to wait for the Messiah to come, but to recognize his presence in our world today. It is time to look at all the promises we have saved for tomorrow, and make them come alive today.”

I hope this Advent season is one filled with much meaning as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

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The University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL generously funded the development of the Archbishop Thomas J. Murphy Archive. Archbishop Murphy was educated at the university and later served as its Rector from 1973 to 1978.