St. Louis chaplain: ‘God has me in the right place’

Monsignor Henry J. Breier, honored at Legatus’ Summit this past January as 2023 Chaplain of the Year for the Central Region, has been rector of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis and has served as chaplain of Legatus’ St. Louis Chapter since 2019. He was born in Missouri and spent part of his childhood in Appleton, WI. He has an older brother, and both his parents worked in the medical field. He entered seminary after high school and was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of St. Louis in 1994. He has since served a variety of parishes and for 12 years was secretary to the archbishop.

What led you to the seminary?

I felt the call to the priesthood in the sixth grade, inspired in part by the example of the diocesan priests I’d known in Appleton. Their faithfulness and reverence impressed me. I began thinking more intensely about seminary during my senior year of high school and applied.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis is a beautiful and historic site. What is its significance to the local Church, and what improvements are you now making?

It is a place of beauty that speaks to people’s hearts. We have many great tools for evangelization in the archdiocese including the cathedral itself. Many visit, including non-Catholics, and the space speaks to them, pulling them into the mystery of our faith.

If you take a tour, every little snippet speaks to you. I like to point out our historical area, which offers a reflection on the progress of the saints as they headed west. There is also a fantastic image of the Trinity.

We’ve been working on improving the interior lighting of the mosaics, which is a huge task.

Pope St. John Paul II visited the cathedral in 1999. What are your memories of that event?

I was working for the archbishop and oversaw the visit. It was a remarkable event in many ways here. I recall being stressed, making sure people’s luggage got to the right place. I remember shaking hands with the Holy Father when he arrived, then finding him a thermometer the next day as he was feeling poorly. I remember the energy and feeling throughout the entire city of St. Louis. Many people came to the faith. In fact, one of the Secret Service agents who worked on security for the event converted to Catholicism.

You are a St. Louis Police Department chaplain. What do you do in this role?

It’s a ministry of presence. I do ride-alongs with officers, sitting in the front seat of the car with them, wearing a bulletproof vest. I’m trained in how to use the radio. Because I am around and they get to know me, they feel comfortable talking to me. The police department is a close-knit community, and my presence helps me break into that family. 

When I’m riding in their cars, the officers bring up faith. When an officer is injured in the line of duty, I go to the hospital. When an officer is killed in the line of duty, the cathedral offers to host the officer’s funeral. We’ve had four or five such funerals in the past five years. I’m also called upon by officers to celebrate baptisms, weddings, and funerals for family members.

What is your message when you speak to Legatus members?

I do not have a set agenda when I speak to them. I preach on the Scripture of the day and in that way let the Lord speak to them.

Any other thoughts?

I love what I do. It is a sure sign that God has me in the right place.