Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Yesterday the great and good Archbishop of Denver, Charles Chaput, O.F.M., was formally installed as the new Archbishop of Philadelphia--my home diocese. My cousin Jim, a priest in Denver, flew out for the occasion and managed to get me a ticket. Arriving early at the beautiful and already crowded Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, we found that my name was not on the guest list. Jim commended me to the care of some ushers, and went to vest for Mass. They handed me a pass to the A list seating area. I felt a little shy and out place, but very grateful for the prime view of the magnificent and moving ceremony.
Just before it began, an elegantly dressed couple approached the section looking a little unsure of where to sit. They had an "A" pass, but there seemed to be no room left. I slid deeper into my pew and invited them to sit on my left.
Several rows further up was Senator Santorum. There were mostly short people between us, so I saw and can report that he sang the opening hymn--Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee--with manifest piety and zest. Near him was the Mayor of Philadelphia and several other civic leaders.
Hundreds of priests, scores of bishops, and at least seven or eight Cardinals concelebrated the Mass. Priests filled the entire right side of the main aisle in the vast nave. The music of choir, organ and trumpet was fittingly grand and celebratory. The rite transferring authority from Cardinal Rigali to Chaput was moving in its solemnity, antiquity, and cultural grace.
Our new shepherd's homily was, like the man himself, simple and clear and down to earth, full of heart and radiating faith. He compared the relation between a diocese and its bishop to a marriage, and he pledged to the faithful of Philadelphia his total devotion, "Because you deserve nothing less, and, because I love you."
Afterwards, the lady on my right turned to me and introduced herself. To my surprise, I recognized her name. She was someone a mutual friend had mentioned to me more than once and urged me to get to know. We exchanged contact information. Then she recognized the couple on my left, and introduced me them: "Bill and Julie McGurn." I said, "Oh! From Ricochet!" Then, awkwardly, "I'm a member." Julie looked at me again and said, "You're Katie?!" and threw her arms around me as if I were an old friend.
A lovely, unlooked-for gift of the day.
We met again later and chatted briefly at a VIP reception. (I didn't belong there, but it happened that my cousin had lived for a while with the Denver hosts, so he squeaked me through.) They were just what you would expect from the character of Bill's posts and op-eds--kind and winning and serious and good.
There were many serious and good people there. I was especially impressed with a tall and striking navy chaplain in spanking-white uniform, who spoke to me of his profound admiration for the soldiers he had ministered to in Afghanistan. I had a chance to meet Senator Santorum and thank him for his public stance for life and for marriage. Toward the end, when perhaps two thirds of the guests had already gone home, I stood at the entry waiting for my cousin and speaking with an old friend. We had been young mothers together years ago in Steubenville, until Archbishop Chaput had invited her and her husband to move their family to Denver to work with young adults in his diocese. She was telling me through tears how much she loved him and would miss him, and how much I was going to love him too. "He's very approachable," she said, "You should get try to get to know him." At that very instant he walked through the door and took my hand in greeting.
I left the event feeling richly blessed, grateful to God, and full of hope for the Church and for our country.
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Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Katie says it better than I could. It was an inspiring day. Here is an archbishop who'se shepherd's staff means something to him -- going to a place that badly needs a shepherd . And what are the odds of my wife and I sliding into the pew next to Katie?
Says something too about Rick Santorum that he took the red-eye from the debate back to Philly, so he could be there for this moment.
Jun '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
What a wonderful account of the day, Katie! I have high hopes for Archbishop Chaput.
Dec '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Outstanding story. I see you also experienced the feeling of old friends you had never met. Ricochet is amazing that way.
Aug '11
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
What a great experience! Let's hope the good Cardinal can help lift Philly up so it can once again be worthy of its nickname.
Feb '11
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Like! I will pray for Archbishop Chaput. Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
It was about a year ago that a friend and I made the trip to see the head of our church body formally installed. It was one of the best worship services -- and after parties -- I've had the privilege of participating in.
I'm glad you were able to witness this installation and meet the McGurns. I got to meet Bill at a wedding once but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't remember! Although he might remember the impressive cookie table (apparently a Pennsylvania tradition).
In any case, I've been familiar with the Archbishop since he was a campus pastor in Colorado back in the 1980s. For a Lutheran, I was surprised at how interested I was in this transfer to Philly ... as a religion reporter, I'm sure I'll be hearing much more about him, too.
Jun '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
I watched most of the Mass, including the homily, on EWTN. Not just a "marriage," but "an arranged marriage," with the Holy Father as matchmaker. Since I'm a new convert, and still have a zeal for orthodoxy, I'm a big fan of the Archbishop. He's not out to change Holy Mother Church. He's there to love her and protect her from the heretics. My kind of Shepherd.
Sep '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Great story, Katie. I too will pray for Archbishop Chaput.
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Lovely
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Ah, just wonderful. I'm devoted to Archbishop Chaput and to Bill McGurn, of coure. But Julie? One of my favorite people in all history.
Dec '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Our loss is your gain, Katie. I have no doubt Archbishop Chaput will be a great blessing to Philadelphia. Thank you for sharing your experience.
May '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
He's leaving behind lots of wonderful Catholics in Denver, though. One of the people I got to see yesterday was Fr. Michael Glen, Rector of the seminary there. He was a senior when I was a freshman in college. We used to have lunch together sometimes and talk about God's grace in our lives. I looked up to him and felt all kinds of confidence in his solid Christian manhood heading into priesthood. Now he's rector of a seminary.
Life is strange and beautiful.
May '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
I dare Christopher Hitchens to read all this and then repeat that religion poisons everything. What a beautiful thread.
Sep '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Incredible timing for this thread as I was talking to someone on the phone today who I haven't spoken to since 2003. They were mentioning that Archbishop Chaput was in tears when he left Denver -- real tears -- and that Denver's loss is Philadelphia's gain. He has come a long way since his time in South Dakota and made a solid name for his style of evangelical governance and shepherding of his flock. I don't know if its quite right to call Bishop Sam Aquila of Fargo, ND an "understudy" of Archbishop Chaput, but I would imagine that the parishioners in Fargo must be getting somewhat nervous as Bishop Aquila passes his ten (10) year anniversary in that diocese.
And I agree that was an impressive testament to Senator Santorum that he came back at no small inconvenience to his schedule.
I think its no small coincidence that Archbishop Chaput's Cherokee heritage and Franciscan formation make him such a humble shepherd of his flock. I don't think its inopportune to say that Render Unto Caesar would be of interest to Ricochet members, whether Catholic or not.
Dec '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Chaput is a giant, Philly will be blessed. Who is replacing him in Denver, though?
Mar '11
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
I hope he's prepared for his obstreperous Jesuit neighbors.
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
My feelings exactly.
May '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
BTW, my cousin tells me that when the Archbishop explains the pronunciation of his name he says, "It rhymes with 'slap you.'" :)
May '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
Ursula, it's good to see you back.
Sep '10
Re: Graces Large and Small: Ricoteers Meet in Cathedral
My feelings exactly.