Boston, Mass., Oct 8, 2006 / 22:00 pm

What started as an experiment for Cardinal Sean O’Malley has become a new and regular means of evangelical outreach. The cardinal-archbishop of Boston has decided to continue his blog, which he began on a recent trip to Rome.

Before his departure, the cardinal had committed to posting daily entries on his blog as a two-week experiment. He said he would consider whether he to continue it upon his return to Boston.

But the prelate has now announced that he would continue posting weekly entries on his blog, the first one hitting the web last Friday.

The site has not escaped the attention of the secular media.  In an article almost two weeks ago, the Boston Globe noted that since he launched the website, the Franciscan-turned-prelate had received 9,000 visitors, 65,585 page views, and scores of comments.

Since that time the numbers have continued to grow.

Blog specialists have also taken notice, offering praise for a blog they say is informal and readable. In addition to his comments, the blog also features pictures of the cardinal around Rome and at different church ceremonies and posing in photos with friends.

In his first entry from Boston, the cardinal shared his week’s work and answered some questions from readers.  One question was about Church art and architecture another asked his opinion on the best gelato in Rome. (The cardinal diplomatically sidestepped the question, saying it’s difficult to find a bad meal or gelato anywhere in Rome.)

Finally, the cardinal addressed a comment by a Boston native, named “Eddie”, living in Philadelphia, who said he was considering coming back to the faith due to the cardinal’s blog.

“Eddie, in your baptism, you were called to be part of a family, a community of faith, part of the Body of Christ,” the cardinal replied.

“Wherever your journey may have taken you up to this point, know that the Lord is always calling you home to be part of that community of faith, part of that family; that is the Church,” he continued.

“I would certainly encourage you to come home,” he wrote, adding that he would be happy to share the names of parishes and priests in Philadelphia that could help him to reconnect with the Church.

To access the blog, go to: http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/