Installation liturgies will welcome Archbishop Tobin to archdiocese

Bishop Paul D. Etienne, center, sits in the bishop’s chair, also known as the cathedra, of the Diocese of Cheyenne, Wyo., on Dec. 9, 2009, at the Cheyenne Civic Center during his ordination and installation as the shepherd of the Church in Wyoming. The principal action of installing a bishop as the spiritual leader of a diocese is the seating of him in the cathedra. Applauding Bishop Etienne are, from left, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, then of Denver, and Archbishop Pietro Sambi, then apostolic nuncio to the United States. Bishop Etienne was previously a priest of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. (File photo by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin will be installed as the sixth archbishop of Indianapolis at a 2 p.m. Mass on Dec. 3 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

But the rites involved in his installation will actually begin the previous evening during the praying of a Solemn Evening Prayer for the First Sunday of Advent at 5 p.m. in the cathedral.

Prior to the start of that liturgy, Archbishop Tobin will ritually knock on the door of the cathedral three times. Father Noah Casey, rector of the cathedral, will open the door, receive him into the cathedral and offer a crucifix for him to kiss.

Archbishop Tobin will then bless himself with holy water and sprinkle it on those around him.

This moment symbolizes the official arrival of Archbishop Tobin as the new shepherd of the Church in central and southern Indiana.

During the Evening Prayer liturgy, the archbishop’s insignia—a pectoral cross, miter, crosier and episcopal ring—will be blessed, and Bishop Christopher J. Coyne will preach a homily.

Archbishop Tobin will also make an oath of fidelity to the pope and a profession of faith.

At the start of the installation Mass on Dec. 3, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States, will serve as the principal celebrant.

In the opening procession of the Mass, he will accompany Archbishop Tobin into the cathedral, who will be led by the priests who make up the archdiocese’s College of Consultors, the deans of the 11 deaneries in central and southern Indiana as well as Bishop Coyne, other archdiocesan clergy, and visiting cardinals, bishops and priests.

After the procession and an incensing of the altar, Archbishop Vigano will stand in the sanctuary and lead the congregation in making the sign of the cross. He will not, however, stand in front of the cathedra, the prominent chair in the sanctuary reserved solely for the archbishop of Indianapolis and a symbol of his office as teacher of the faith in the archdiocese.

Archbishop Vigano will then read the apostolic letter from Pope Benedict XVI in which the Holy Father appoints Archbishop Tobin to lead the Church in central and southern Indiana.

The College of Consultors will then examine the letter. It is then subsequently shown to the congregation.

Next, Archbishop Vigano will ask Archbishop Tobin if he is willing to accept the appointment given to him by Pope Benedict. After Archbishop Tobin affirms his acceptance of his appointment, the congregation will say, “Thanks be to God,” and will applaud.

Archbishop Vigano will next present the apostolic letter to the archdiocesan chancellor, Annette “Mickey” Lentz, who officially records the appointment of Archbishop Tobin.

Archbishop Vigano and Bishop Coyne will then lead Archbishop Tobin to the cathedra. Archbishop Tobin will seat himself in it and receive a crosier. Another acclamation by applause will then be made by all present.

Archbishop Tobin will next be greeted by representatives of the archdiocese’s clergy, religious and lay faithful, and representatives of other local Christian communities, other faith traditions and government leaders.

The rest of the Mass will proceed as usual with Archbishop Tobin serving as the principal celebrant and homilist. †