Have You a Mandate?

In about an hour, I will be heading to the Cathedral where I will have the honor of serving as an acolyte for the episcopal consecration of the Most Reverend Lee Piché as the new Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul & Minneapolis.

While this is undoubtedly a great day for our local church, I am particularly gratified on this occasion of the elevation of our new bishop. During my first year in seminary, I was blessed to spend a short J-term parish placement with then Fr. Piché at All Saints Church in Lakeville, MN. I was able to observe and learn much about the life of a pastor from one of its finest exemplars. I will always be grateful for that inspiring yet brief learning experience. In this year of the Priest, it is something I will call to mind with great satisfaction.

A liturgical note: one of the neatest parts of the Ordination Mass is the Presentation of the Bishop-Elect. After the bishop-elect is presented, we will hear an inquiry: "Have you a mandate from the Apostolic See?" Then, "We have." And the Archbishop will respond, "Let it be read." We will then hear the words from the Vatican mandating that the Bishop Elect be raised to the responsibility of the Episcopate. The bull will then be placed in the hands of the chancellor of the Archdiocese.

I think this is one of the most captivating parts of the liturgy because it is a manifestation of the relationship between the local church and the Universal Church.

Please offer a brief prayer for our new bishop, asking the intercession of the two Blessed Apostles whom we celebrate today.