December 13, 2020

Bishop-elect William Byrne is welcomed during a prayer service on the eve of installation

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

Msgr. Christopher Connelly welcomes Bishop-elect William Byrne into St. Michael’s Cathedral on the eve of the ordination and installation, Sunday, Dec. 13.

SPRINGFIELD – As the diocese prepares for the ordination and installation of the 10^th bishop of Springfield, priests and deacons gathered at St. Michael’s Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 5:30 p.m. for Evening Prayer to pray for the new bishop and the people he will lead.

Bishop-elect William Byrne, a native of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. will be ordained and installed as the 10^th bishop of Springfield Monday, Dec. 14 at St. Michael’s Cathedral at 2 p.m.

As is part of custom, Bishop-elect Byrne knocked at the front door of the cathedral and was welcomed in by Msgr. Christopher Connelly, the rector of the cathedral, who presented him with a crucifix to kiss and holy water to bless himself.

The cathedral erupted into applause as the bishop-elect walked up the aisle toward the altar.

“It was just a natural reaction. It was exciting when you heard the knock at the door,” said Father Christopher Malatesta, vicar of the clergy for the Springfield Diocese and pastor of St. Agnes Parish in Dalton.

“It was great to have this opportunity to gather tonight as the priests are so excited about welcoming him,” he said.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the evening prayer service was invitation only and was attended mostly by priests of the diocese and Bishop-elect Byrne’s family as churches are restricted to 40 percent capacity.

“It’s an evening prayer. It’s part of the Liturgy of the Hours of the church. That’s out of the hours of prayer especially the priests pray in what’s called the breviary which is a book of Psalms,” explained Father William Hamilton, of the Office of Worship. Father Hamilton is on the Diocese of Springfield’s Episcopal Ordination and Planning Team.

“Those hours of the day that we pray every day for the universal church and with the universal church. It’s something we are all called to do, morning, midmorning, noon, midday, evening and night prayers. It was the preparation of prayer awaiting the big celebration of the next day, in preparation and anticipation of the great day ahead,” he said.

During the prayer service, Worcester Bishop Robert J. McManus blessed the miter, crosier, cross and ring which Bishop-elect Byrne will receive.

“The ring is fidelity. He is wedded to the church like in a marriage. It’s like wedding vows,” said Father Hamilton.

Only 297 people are allowed in St. Michael’s Cathedral for the ordination, which typically would draw as many as 1,000 guests. The planning committee has gone to great lengths, marking off pews and planning seating arrangements at the altar for visiting bishops and cardinals who will concelebrate the Mass.

During his homily, Bishop McManus spoke of the many challenges people have faced in the midst of the pandemic. He also spoke of the anticipation of waiting for the birth of a savior on the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, which represents joy.

“Even during these unsettling times and circumstances, we rejoice mightily tonight that the Lord Jesus Christ, the good shepherd will be very near to us,” said Bishop McManus. “At this evening hour, we also rejoice that God once again has provided a high priest to shepherd his flock, William Byrne. Yes, my friends there is reason to rejoice.”

The prayer service was livestreamed on diospringfield.org. The installation Mass will be livestreamed on WWLP-22News, CatholicTV and on the diocesan website,  diospringfield.org.