Posted on 08/28/2002 6:08:32 AM PDT by NYer
Archbishop-elect Timothy M. Dolan knocks on the front door at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Tuesday night as he arrives for a vigil before his installation today as leader of the Milwaukee Archdiocese. The tradition at the door can be traced to the 1600s, when parishioners were not certain when a new bishop would arrive. At right is Father Jerry Herda, Dolan's personal secretary.
With a smile and a wave, Archbishop-elect Timothy M. Dolan walked up the steps of Milwaukee's Catholic cathedral and pounded decisively on the main door Tuesday night.
Seconds before, he quipped, "I hope they let me in."
And when Steven Barnicki, 40, a server and cathedral parishioner, swung the metal-clad door open, centuries-old rituals began ushering in the start of a new era along with one enthusiastic man wearing a miter.
Dolan stepped inside, hugged Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba, kissed a crucifix and headed toward the nave, where some 1,000 people waited for a solemn vespers "Vigil of Welcome" to begin. Retired Archbishop Rembert G. Weakland joined Dolan and Sklba in blessing the crowd with holy water.
The ensuing hour - filled with quiet, scripture and sacred music from the cathedral musicians and choir - was a prelude to today's formal installation of Dolan as Milwaukee's 10th archbishop at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.
But the rituals began Tuesday. And they were blended with words from Sklba, Dolan and Archbishop Justin Rigali of St. Louis, where Dolan has been an auxiliary bishop.
"It's true that we greatly regret losing him," Rigali said of Dolan. "But we believe in the solidarity of the universal church. Above all, we are thrilled you are receiving a pastor whom you will love intensely, and who will serve you faithfully.
"I note this evening there are a number of people here from St. Louis," Rigali said as he told a story some of them had heard before, about a conversation he once had with the late Mother Teresa of Calcutta.
Mother Teresa was about to speak to a large group at a ceremony in Rome, where she was to be honored for her work with the poor, and Rigali asked her what she was going to say.
"She smiled to me and replied, 'Oh, I don't know. All I know is that I will be speaking about Jesus.' And she did just that.
"I think that in the weeks, months, years ahead, you will find Archbishop Dolan doing just that, also, speaking about Jesus to all who freely choose to listen to him. And to those who are not of the Christian faith, or any faith, he will speak with the respect and reverence characteristic of the gospel of Jesus, which he exemplifies so very well."
The crowd laughed as Rigali added, "I know that you will all be attracted to the joy that he finds so difficult to conceal, and which is in fact so contagious to those around him. His only ambition is to render humble, pastoral service to you from now on.
"You can't help but love him. St. Louis' loss is Milwaukee's gain. We hate to lose him, but he's yours now. Treat him well."
The crowd of friends, relatives, priests, nuns, religious brothers, deacons, lay people, visiting bishops and archdiocesan employees burst into a standing ovation that lasted for more than one minute.
Dolan followed, saying, "All I want to do is thank you for opening that door and letting me in. Now tomorrow, just let me sit in that chair," he added, referring to the cathedra, or bishop's chair.
"This evening, you all opened the door and let me in," Dolan concluded. "Perhaps my most sacred duty as your archbishop, beginning tomorrow, will be to encourage you to open up and let someone else in, someone who describes himself as standing outside the door, knocking, waiting for us to open, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Come, Lord Jesus, come. To him be glory and honor, forever and ever."
Dolan will be installed at an invitation-only Mass that begins at 2 p.m. today. Viewers here, nationwide and abroad will be able to view live and videotaped broadcasts of the event.
A warm welcome to a wonderful bishop! Milwaukee, you are truly blessed.
Join EWTN on Wednesday, August 28th for live coverage of the Installation Mass of Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan. The Mass of his Installation as Archbishop of Milwaukee will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. John the
Evangelist, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. EST.
The Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan will be installed as the 10th Archbishop of Milwaukee at a 2 p.m. Mass today at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, papal nuncio to the United States, will proclaim an apostolic letter from Pope John Paul II. After that, Archbishop Dolan will be escorted to his cathedra and will be presented his crosier.
Following an acclamation, Archbishop Dolan will greet a presbyterate representative, three parish representatives, four youths from the archdiocese, three ecumenical community members, and two civic government leaders.
Last night, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee greeted Archbishop Dolan with a solemn vespers vigil of welcome. Milwaukee Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Sklba gave the homily at the service, which was attended by more than 900 people.
A series of nine liturgical celebrations of welcome will begin this Friday, Aug. 30, and extend through Sunday, Sept. 8, at locations around the 10-county archdiocese, providing all Catholics throughout southeastern Wisconsin the opportunity to meet, pray and celebrate with their new archbishop. All of these celebrations are open to the public.
Welcome to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Web Site!
My appointment as Archbishop of Milwaukee is for me an occasion of spiritual renewal and recommitment. I hope it will be for you, too. I believe with all my heart and soul that this is a providential moment of hope and interior renewal in the Church. That gives me joy, confidence, and gratitude. I am so eager to share that with you.
These weeks of preparation for my August 28 installation will be a period of fervent prayer for me, and I would deeply appreciate your own spiritual solidarity.
Enjoy your visit to our web site. It is our hope that your faith life will be enriched by the materials provided here. I look forward to staying in touch with you.
It is just so heartwarming to finally read a good story about the catholic church in america.
He has the power to make me believe I can be better. I think we'll see a lot of that because his brother summed up Abp. Dolan's homilies as just that -- leaving you with a message and the belief that you can be a better person.
Abp. Weakland helped concelebrate the Mass of Reception (a commentating priest told us that that is the correct terminology) and he looked like a shadow of a man next to Abp. Dolan. Weakland was morose, unsmiling, and withdrawn, whereas Dolan was outgoing, jolly, supportive, and welcoming.
I noted that Abp. Dolan mentioned that Bp. Bruskowitz was present for the ceremony. Burskowitz is the conservative Bishop of Nebraska who stated in Dallas recently that his happiness was seeing Milwaukee in his rearview mirror. Apparently he clashed with Weakland when he was stationed here before he was appointed Bp. of Nebraska. I think that it is significant and a good sign that he chose to attend the ceremonies today.
I also noticed that the new artwork above the Communion table (Weakland's doing) that is supposed to represent a giant, suspended crown of thorns centered by a strange, distorted crucifix was ugly and looked terribly out of place at such a solmn ceremony. Although I don't think Dolan will make major changes right away -- I hope he replaces that! The Christ figure bears Weakland's face (IMHO) and has arms that appear to be longer than an ape's. The Christ figure is impaled on a spike, looking like a bug in a biology collection. I haven't been inside the Cathedral since the remodeling, so perhaps I have the wrong impression, and it looks different in person -- but I didn't like what I saw on TV.
Perhaps I'm reading between the lines, but I noticed that Dolan's only comment on our newly remodeled cathedral was that he appreciated the giant chair that Weakland had installed. His former cathedral in St. Louis is one of the gems of US church architecture and very beautiful. Milwaukee's recently remodeled cathedral must be a disappointment.
A friend of mine, who sings in the Cathedral Choir, returned to Milwaukee from vacation on the same plane as an Archbishop yesterday afternoon. My friend asked the clergyman if he were comiing to Milwaukee for the Installation. He said , "Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world. You are very lucky to get Dolan."
My friend went on to inquire about potential changes. The Archbishop asked if our cathedral was one where the choir was located on the altar.
When my friend replied in the affirmative, the visiting Archbishop smiled and said, "That'll change."
My friend asked the clergyman if he were coming to Milwaukee for the Installation. He said , "Yes, I wouldn't miss it for the world. You are very lucky to get Dolan." My friend went on to inquire about potential changes. The Archbishop asked if our cathedral was one where the choir was located on the altar. When my friend replied in the affirmative, the visiting Archbishop smiled and said, "That'll change."
That's certainly encouraging. Last year the archdiocese where I live underwent a similar change. We "lost" McCarrick to DC and gained Myers from Peoria, Illinois. So far, so good. I will pray for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
You are, of course, referring to the "totem" as Dr. Fr. Vosko (a/k/a the wreckovator) calls it. He was instrumental in its design, along with the other "wreckovations" made to the Milwaukee Cathedral.
Second, the very bizarre sculpture of a shapeless, formless Christ on a spear holding a "wishbone" (they say its a dove but I beg to differ) with an out-of-proportion crown of thorns is hideous.
Review by the Seattle Catholic - 28FEB2002
As for Weakland's self image, you will find it here ....
Archbishop Weakland, whose humility is an inspiration to us all, is featured in this bronze sculpture along with Cathedral rector Fr. Carl Last and St. John the Evangelist.
To read the complete review, go here: Follow-Up on the Milwaukee Cathedral Renovation
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