A GREAT DAY OF JOY!

The reception and installation of a new bishop: The importance and symbolism of the ceremony and the Mass

Bishop Mark W. O'Connell will be installed as the 11th Bishop of Albany on Dec. 5. (OSV News file photo) (Courtesy photo of ALESSANDRO BIANCHI)

On Dec. 5, we will, as a Diocese, celebrate the official “installation” of Bishop Mark O’Connell as the 11th Bishop of the Diocese of Albany. The installation will take place during a special Mass held at St. Edward the Confessor in Clifton Park. In this article, let us explore the various moments of the Installation Mass and tease out the symbolism and importance of what will take place during the ceremony and the Mass.

First, it might be helpful to have an overview of the Rite of Installation. The Reception and Installation of a new bishop is very much an administrative act, as well as a sacramental one. The new bishop takes possession of the Diocese by the proclamation of the Apostolic Letter (the Letter of Appointment of the new bishop from the pope) and then the moment in which he sits in his cathedra (the Bishop’s chair and symbol of his authority). After the Rites of Installation, the Eucharist is then celebrated, with the new bishop presiding. Every celebration of the Eucharist is important, of course, but this celebration of the Eucharist is of special importance. This is the first time which the new bishop, as the prime steward of the mysteries of God in the particular Church entrusted to his care (the Albany Diocese), presides with the presbyterate, and with the deacons and the people taking part, and so the mystery of the Church is made manifest.

These, then, are the main moments during the Rite of Installation:

The Entrance Processions (honored guests, clergy)

Greeting

The Apostolic Letter from Pope Leo is shown and then read

The Consent of the People and Acclamation is given

The Seating of the new Bishop in his cathedra (Bishop’s chair)

The Presentation of the crozier to the Bishop

The greeting by representatives of the Diocese and by members of other churches and ecclesial communities, religious bodies, civil authorities and others.

Then the Mass will continue in the usual way with the singing of the “Glory to God in the Highest.”

With our overview complete, let us look at the Rite and Mass in more detail.

The Installation Mass begins with several entrance processions through the church. At the Installation Mass there are three, connected processions. First, the honored guests and those who are to be presented to the new bishop are brought in. The honored guests include representatives from the Diocese (reflecting the myriad of ministries and activities that take place), ecumenical and interfaith leaders and civic officials. After this first procession, the parish life coordinators, deacons and concelebrating priests enter and take their places in the church.

The final procession is composed of a number of bishops (including Bishop Scharfenberger), our new Bishop, Mark ­O’Connell, the apostolic nuncio  (Cardinal Christophe Pierre) and Cardinal Timothy Dolan (the Metropolitan archbishop). The apostolic nuncio is the pope’s representative or ambassador to the United States, and the nuncio will read the Letter of Appointment from Pope Leo XIV. Cardinal Dolan is not only the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, but he is also the “metropolitan archbishop” of the Ecclesiastical Province of New York, which includes the Diocese of Albany. It is the duty of the metropolitan archbishop to preside at the Installation Rite. He will ask that the Apostolic Letter be read, lead Bishop Mark to his cathedra (chair) and present him with the pastoral staff or crozier (the symbol of Bishop Mark’s pastoral care or shepherding of the Diocese).

At the front of this third procession are a number of priests from the Albany Diocese who make up “the College of Consultors.” As the name implies, the college has an important consultative role to the Bishop of the Diocese and, along with the Presbyteral Council (or Council of Priests), they advise and help the bishop in his ministry. The College of Consultors assists the diocesan bishop in the governance of the diocese in accord with the provisions of Church law. For particular exercises of ecclesiastical governance, canon law requires that the diocesan bishop consult the college, and even obtain its consent. The college also has a key role in the Installation Mass, as they must hear and then witness to the reading of the Apostolic Letter.

Once everyone is ready, we will see a crucial moment in the entire ceremony. One of the priests will show the Apostolic Letter from Pope Leo to the College of Consultors and to all present. This is also done in the presence of the Chancellor of the Diocesan Curia (Bonni Shippee), so that she may record the matter in the acts of the Curia. Then the nuncio will read the Apostolic Letter. The letter is addressed to everyone, but especially to Bishop Mark and so the nuncio will face him as he reads the letter. Once the letter has been read by the nuncio, everyone gives their assent and responds with the acclamation “Thanks be to God” (and applause!).

After the reading of the Apostolic Letter and the acclamation by the people, the metropolitan invites Bishop Mark to sit in the bishop’s chair (cathedra) and he hands Bishop Mark the crozier. The important symbolism of these two actions has been noted already. Finally, the new bishop is greeted by various groups and representatives. First by the College of Consultors, then representatives of the Presbyteral Council and some of the priests, deacons and lay people of the Diocese, by those who work in the various diocesan ministries, as well as by members of other churches and ecclesial communities, religious bodies, civil authorities and others.

After the presentations have been concluded, the Rite of Installation is complete and the Mass continues in the usual way, with the singing of the “Glory to God in the Highest.” As noted already, this celebration of Mass has a particular significance. It is the first time that Bishop Mark, as the chief shepherd of the Diocese and guardian of the sacred mysteries, celebrates Mass in the Diocese with the priests, deacons, religious and people. A moment and a day for great joy and celebration!

Being a bishop entails a great responsibility, so let us conclude our journey through the Installation Rite and Mass with a prayer for Bishop Mark and, indeed, for all bishops:

O God, eternal shepherd of the faithful,

who tend your Church in countless ways

and rule over her in love,

grant, we pray, that Mark, your servant,

whom you have set over your people,

may preside in the place of Christ

over the flock whose shepherd he is,

and be faithful as a teacher of doctrine,

a Priest of sacred worship,

and as one who serves them by governing.

Through Christ, our Lord. Amen

(The Roman Missal, Masses and Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions, For Holy Church, For the Bishop).

Father Barratt, STL, PhD, EV, ChM, is the director of the Office of Prayer and Worship, episcopal vicar for the Hudson Valley Vicariate, a member of the Presbyteral Council & College of Consultors and pastor at Holy Trinity Parish in Hudson-Germantown — all in the Diocese of Albany — and adjunct professor at Siena College and St. Bernard’s Postgraduate School of Theology and Ministry in ­Albany.