A special day of welcome and joy marks 150th anniversary of Diocese

It was a day of rich aromas: fragrant incense wafting across historic lawns...crisp apples waiting to satisfy post-liturgy hunger.

Most of all, it was a day of memory-making sights: A line of priests that stretched as far as the eye could see...newborn babies held in the arms of grandparents...women in African robes seated next to Knights of Malta...a beautiful sunburst behind the altar that mirrored the original one in the sky on a perfect day.

Special occasion

It hadn't happened since 1947 and it won't happen again until 2047, so the thousands on hand for the liturgy at the Shrine of the North American Martyrs in Auriesville on Sept. 14 knew they were part of a once-in-a-lifetime event: the gathering of Catholics from the four corners of the Albany Diocese to mark its 150th anniversary at a Sesquicentennial Liturgy with songs of praise, hymns of gladness, words of welcome, salutes to the past and hopes for the future.

In his opening remarks, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard called the Sesquicentennial event "a very significant occasion in the life of our Diocese."

He said that it was "appropriate" for the gathering to take place in the Mohawk Valley, "a place of grand beauty and a sacred site made holy by the blood of martyrs and the presence of Kateri Tekakwitha."

Guests of honor

Giving thanks for the presence of three bishops who are native sons of the Albany Diocese -- Archbishop Harry Flynn of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Bishop Matthew Clark of Rochester and Bishop John Nolan of the Military Ordinariate -- Bishop Hubbard also mentioned several others who could not make the ceremony due to illness or distance: Bishops Joseph Ryan, Elias Manning and Capistrano Heim.

Also in attendance were 14 other bishops, including Bishop Edwin B. Broderick, Bishop Hubbard's predecessor. His introduction drew long and sustained applause from the congregation who remembered his contributions to the Diocese.

Greetings from Pope

Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, the papal nuncio who represented Pope John Paul II at the event, complimented author Sally Light on "Canals and Crossroads," the recently published history of the Albany Diocese.

It was appropriate to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Albany Diocese at a site where saints were martyred, the Archbishop said, since "there are countries in the world where there are still martyrs. Martyrdom and holiness are very important aspects of ecumenism. It is not in everyone to be a martyr, but [we can all be] witnesses for Christ.

"I am enjoying being with you," Archbishop Cacciavillan stated. "I give you my sincere congratulations" on the Diocese's Sesquicentennial and "cordial greetings" from the Pope.

Thousands attend

More than 5,000 Mass-goers packed the pavilion (some estimates said 7,000). They traveled from as far away as Brooklyn and as close to home as Amsterdam. Outside the round coliseum with 72 doors where the Mass was celebrated, a sign said: "Welcome, Pilgrims," and a spirit of hospitality pervaded the day.

Knights of Columbus in plumed hats, women in Polish garb, couples in pro-life t-shirts, people in wheelchairs or carrying oxygen and infants in strollers were among those on hand. A good number lined the walls, rocking children or aiming videocameras at the proceedings. One elderly couple even stood on a pew in an effort to get a better glimpse of Cardinal John O'Connor giving his homily (see page 6B).

As the procession into the building began, the crowd fell silent, eyes glued to either the altar or the giant TV screens on which the Mass was projected for those who didn't have a direct view. As the second reading was proclaimed, only a single baby's cry and the sound of the bells on processional banners catching the breeze broke the silence.

Thrilling moments

Several Mass-goers remarked at how unusual it was to see such a large number of priests gathered together. During the consecration, several hundred clergy bowed their heads in unison, and their voices formed a veritable mens' choir as they chanted, "Through Him, with Him, in Him...." (For more comments from those in attendance, see page 2B.)

Spotting one particular priest was a thrill for two participants: Michael McGuire of St. Gabriel's parish in Rotterdam and his mother, Ann, didn't realize that their cousin, Bishop Nolan, would be in attendance.

"We didn't expect him to be here, and he walked down the aisle right next to our row. We wouldn't have missed this for anything!" they told The Evangelist.

Scenes of faith

A spirit of kindness seemed to fill the pavilion. One young boy knelt on the concrete floor during the consecration, tugging his younger brother's sleeve to urge him to kneel as well. A handicapped woman offered her seat to a tired photographer, saying simply, "Rest a while."

Cradling his young grandson, D.J., who rocked in his arms to the music, Joe DeVito told The Evangelist, "This is the most beautiful Mass I've ever been to. Whoever put this together really knew what they were doing."

A parishioner of St. Anthony's Church in Schenectady, Mr. DeVito reminisced about the days when he took his entire family for all-day outings at Auriesville. "I'd like to see more of this at Auriesville," he said of the Mass.

A non-Catholic Ravena couple who attended the Sesquicentennial event with friends were impressed, as well: "It's a wonderful celebration. It's great to be here!"

Even the martyrs themselves seemed to applaud the gathering: At one point, a cameraman's hand appeared just behind a statue of Rene Goupil on the altar, unintentionally making the saint appear to wave at the crowd.

Applause for remarks

One Mass-goer remarked that guest speaker Rev. Dr. Gregg Mast, pastor of the First Reformed Church at Albany, summed up the day well in his closing remarks. Just as the first pastor of the Reformed Church, Domine Megapolensis, befriended St. Isaac Jogues and helped him to escape his captors before Jogues returned and was martyred, Pastor Mast stated that "we come to each other's aid, not only to stand together in faith, but to kneel together....We are proud to be called your brothers and sisters in faith, committed in mind and spirit to walk in the way of Domine Megapolensis, side by side."

The crowd responded with a standing ovation.

In closing, Bishop Hubbard thanked "the hundreds of people who worked so hard to develop this wonderful celebration." The recessional then began, bringing to a close a two-and-half-hour liturgy that will remain a memorable event in the lives of thousands of Catholics throughout the Diocese.