How it all works: Ordination of a Bishop has roots in ancient tradition
Drawing on strong biblical images, the Second Vatican Council describes the bishop as one who is truly a “pastor, chosen to shepherd the Lord’s flock, a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God. He is entrusted with bearing witness to the Gospel of God’s grace.” Bishop-elect William Justice, as the Council teaches, is chosen and ordained “in an eminent and visible way to carry on the roles of Christ himself as teacher, shepherd and high priest.” Many of us recall that the previous name for this rite was the “consecration” of a bishop. Reclaiming the more venerable tradition of the Church, the Second Vatican Council restored the name “ordination” to this sacrament and taught that it confers the sacrament of orders in its fullness.
Ordination
Unlike priests or deacons at their ordination, the one to be ordained bishop enters the cathedral already vested as a bishop. On the afternoon of May 28, as the ordinand processes in to the stirring bilingual setting of “All Creatures of Our God and King,” he wears the bishop’s pectoral cross and the skull cap (or zucchetto) on his head; he is even called Bishop-elect. He has already been chosen, “elected,” by Pope Benedict XVI, thus confirming the testimony of many who know him to be worthy. The pope’s letter (or mandate) will be read to all of us, announcing this choice by our Holy Father.
Bishop-elect Justice’s pectoral cross is a gift from Archbishop John R. Quinn, archbishop emeritus, a cross the archbishop received when taking part in the synod of bishops on consecrated life in the 1970s.
Liturgy of the Word
Bishop-elect Justice has chosen the Scripture readings with the images of the bishop’s ministry in mind. From Isaiah, we hear the prophetic words: a bishop is sent to “heal the brokenhearted, proclaim liberty to the captives, comfort all who mourn.” Then with a musical setting much loved at Mission Dolores Parish, we respond with the words of Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I need nothing more,” meditating on the image of bishop as chief shepherd of the flock. St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians sets before our eyes the model of Christian living for bishops and faithful alike, “bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
The Gospel especially chosen for the ordination describes the last appearance of the risen Christ in John’s Gospel. Jesus is serving breakfast to his disciples on the shore, after guiding them to a miraculous catch of fish. With Peter’s reaffirmation of his love, Jesus calls him again to follow him but this time through the episcopal ministry of tending and feeding his sheep.
The rite of ordination
The rite of ordination occurs immediately after the Gospel reading. Father James O’Malley (pastor emeritus of St. Kevin Parish) and Msgr. Aloysius Conrad Gruber (close friend of the ordinand from earliest seminary days and pastor of St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in the Stockton Diocese) accompany the Bishop-elect. One of them addresses Archbishop Niederauer, using words spoken at the ordination of every bishop in the Roman Catholic Church for more than 700 years: Most Reverend Father, the Church of San Francisco asks you to ordain this priest, Father William Justice, to the responsibility of the Episcopate. Father C. Michael Padazinski (judicial vicar) now reads the pope’s mandate, declaring the Holy Father’s choice of Bishop-elect Justice. All present affirm this choice by the strong response:Thanks be to God! and by our vigorous applause.
After the Archbishop’s homily, the Bishop-elect promises life-long faithfulness in his service as bishop: proclaiming the Gospel of Christ, building up the Church in union with the order of bishops under the authority of the pope, being compassionate to the poor, to strangers, and to all in need.
The power of the Holy Spirit
Now all present unite in fervent prayer for Bishop-elect Justice by invoking Mary and all the saints, asking God to bless, sanctify, and consecrate this chosen man. To the traditional ordination litany, the Bishop-elect has added names significant to his family and to his years of priestly ministry. Among these names are Our Lady of Sorrows, Ann, William, Gregory, Peter, Matthew, Elizabeth, Thomas, John, James and Roque.
Three ancient, sacramental elements of episcopal ordination follow: the laying on of hands by Archbishop Niederauer, Bishop John Wester of Salt Lake City, Bishop Randolph Calvo of Reno, and by all the bishops present (praying in silence for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit), the imposition of the Gospel book over the head of the elect (as a visible sign of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit), and the words of the ancient ordination prayer. We hear all the bishops join Archbishop Niederauer in praying these words:
Pour out now upon this chosen one that power which is from you, the Spirit of governance whom you gave to your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, the Spirit whom he bestowed upon the holy Apostles.
With the resounding Amen at the end of this prayer (almost 1800 years old!), the heart of the ordination rite is concluded: the man before us is now Bishop William Justice.
Explanatory rites
Other parts of the sacrament help explain the meaning of the office of bishop. Bishop Justice’s head is anointed with sacred chrism, sign of his interior anointing with all blessings and sign of his high priesthood. He then receives the Gospel Book, sign of his ministry to preach and to teach the word of God. The episcopal ring is a reminder of his fidelity to the Church; his pastoral staff (or crosier) recalls his role as shepherd. As a new bishop, he also now wears the miter.
After being invited to take the first seat among all the bishops for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, Bishop Justice receives the kiss of peace from his brother bishops, the sign of welcome into the order of bishops.
Our blessing and prayer
After the Communion rite, the entire assembly joyfully offers praise and thanksgiving to God for this moment of grace as Bishop Justice walks throughout the cathedral, accompanied by the three principal ordaining bishops. The new bishop then speaks to everyone gathered.
Our own prayers for Bishop Justice are echoed in the words of Archbishop Niederauer’s final blessing:
May the Lord bless and keep you.
As he chose to set you as a Bishop over his people, so may he give you happiness in this present life and a share in the joy that lasts forever. Amen!
By Sister Sharon McMillan, SNDdeN
Notre Dame de Namur Sister Sharon McMillan is a professor of sacramental theology and liturgy at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University, Menlo Park.
