After ten months in office, there was a distinct sense during last night’s celebration of the Imposition of the Pallium by Apostolic Nuncio, +Christophe Pierre, that this date was chosen by our Blessed Mother.  On the Nativity of Mary, I received the gift of the Pallium in the presence of the bishops, priests and a church full of the faithful representing the Province of Alaska.

Archbishop Pierre graciously accepted the invitation to give the homily during Mass, and gave a beautiful reflection on the importance of symbol in our faith, and in this case, the significance of the Pallium.  Likewise, he reminded all present of the the universal communion shared by all in the Church, and of the missionary work which belongs to all of us.  Finally, he spoke quite eloquently on the life and responsibility of a bishop.  (I hope to attach here later his homily.)

I am tremendously grateful for the fine man, priest and bishop our Holy Father, Pope Francis, sent to the church in the United States as his representative.  Archbishop Pierre is a man of profound faith, Gospel joy, sharp mind, and amiable, while remaining extraordinarily humble.  Please join me in prayer for him and his ministry.

After ten months in office, in some ways I am just now feeling like I am at the starting gate, ready to run.  Please also join me in prayer for the mission that now lies ahead, and in gratitude for all those entrusted to my pastoral care.

I will let the pictures below tell the story for now.  Here are the words invoked by Archbishop Pierre as he imposed the Pallium:

We confer on you the pallium, taken from the tomb of Peter to wear within the limits of your ecclesiastical province.

May this pallium be a symbol of unity and a sign of your communion with the Apostolic See, a bond of love and an incentive to courage.  On the day of the coming and manifestation of our great God and chief shepherd, Jesus Christ, may you and the flock entrusted to you be clothed in immortality and glory.  In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

+pde

 

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