On Jan. 16, Cardinal Raymond Burke visited the campus of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, offering words of encouragement to “all who are committed to the educational mission of the college, and thus to the transformation of our culture.”

The Patron of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Cardinal Burke gave a “day of recollection” for members of the order’s Los Angeles location and leaders of its Western Association at the campus.

During the morning conference, Cardinal Burke spoke to about 45 Knights and Dames of Malta during a talk entitled, “Divine Mercy and Forgiveness.” His eminence explained that Divine Mercy, though boundless, can never contradict Divine Justice.

To receive mercy, the believer must humbly and persistently seek repentance. The college’s chaplains joined in the event, hearing confessions immediately after the talk, while the conference’s attendees prayed the rosary

Later that same day, he also spoke at a dinner held in his honor on the topic “Genuine Catholic Education and its Power to Transform Our Culture.”

“Throughout his 40 years of service to the Church and the faithful, Cardinal Burke has been a valiant champion of the truth,” said Michael F. McLean, president of Thomas Aquinas College. “We are delighted by his visit, and pleased by this opportunity to show him our gratitude and appreciation.”