New shepherd of Missouri diocese resolves to serve God and his people with gladness

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (OSV News) -- Bells rang, incense billowed, and Bishop Ralph B. O'Donnell let out a sigh, smiled at heaven and signed himself with the cross.

His time as shepherd of the Diocese of Jefferson City was about to begin.

"In this Jubilee Year of Hope, Bishop O'Donnell and the people of this diocese now set out together as pilgrims of hope, trusting in the faithful love of God, who never abandons his church," stated Cardinal Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, at Bishop O'Donnell's ordination and installation Oct. 28.

In a Mass arrayed with ancient symbols and timeless rituals, Archbishop Mitchell T. Rozanski of St. Louis consecrated Bishop O'Donnell, with co-consecrators Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight of Kansas City in Kansas, formerly of Jefferson City, and Archbishop Michael G. McGovern of Omaha, Nebraska, the new bishop's home archdiocese.

The newly resplendent Cathedral of St. Joseph was filled to capacity with archbishops, bishops, priests, deacons, religious, dignitaries and lay faithful.

The aroma of fall flowers, incense and sacred chrism drifted through the air.

Solemnity and joy infused each of the rites.

"The faithful of this community are blessed, because Bishop O'Donnell brings with him a wealth of pastoral and spiritual experience -- as a parish priest, a seminary formator and a servant of the wider church," Cardinal Pierre proclaimed. "And now, he has come to serve God's people in central and northeastern Missouri."

Bishop O'Donnell grew up in Omaha and was a priest of the Omaha Archdiocese for 28 years.

He previously served as a pastor, archdiocesan vocation director, archdiocesan director for the permanent diaconate, vice rector and dean of formation at Conception Seminary College in northwestern Missouri, and executive director for the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington.

Pope Leo XIV appointed him on Aug. 9 to succeed Archbishop McKnight, who led the Jefferson City Diocese from 2018 until May of this year, when he was named archbishop of Kansas City.

"Today, Bishop O'Donnell is entrusted with leadership as chief shepherd of the Church of Jefferson City," said Archbishop Rozanski in his homily. "He is called to be the bishop not for some but for all in this diocese."

The archbishop noted that it is an awesome task, but Jesus offers sound reassurance: "Know that I am with you always, even to the end of time" (Matthew 28:20).

He called upon the new bishop and the diocese to draw joy and strength from the faith, as a guide to forging unity and building up God's Kingdom on earth, particularly among people who are poor and marginalized.

"Pope Leo emphasizes that we are a church that accompanies the poor, those in need of hope and light in their lives, the very presence of God in our world," said Archbishop Rozanski.

"This is the essence of who Bishop O'Donnell is called to be in the midst of his people: a sign that the kingdom of God is meant for all, even those on the margins of society," the archbishop stated.

"There are no strangers and aliens among us, but the whole body of Christ joined together in the Holy Spirit," he said.

He added that the people's continued prayers for Bishop O'Donnell are a sign of unity in the Lord's vineyard.

"We pray for him," said Archbishop Rozanski, "that he, like Simon and Jude and the rest of the Apostles, may form God's people in the Church of Jefferson City to be the living witnesses to the Gospel of hope, light and life that Jesus calls us to be."

About 1,000 people filled the cathedral for the Mass, while thousands more tuned in to a livestream telecast.

Rain threatened all morning but held back.

Among about 20 concelebrating prelates were retired Archbishop George J. Lucas of Omaha; Bishop James V. Johnson Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph; and Bishop Edward M. Rice and retired Bishop John J. Liebrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

The bishops wore red vestments for the Holy Spirit and white miters.

Also concelebrating were Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki, who served as diocesan administrator in the time before Bishop O'Donnell's installation; Benedictine Abbot Benedict Neenan of Conception Abbey in northwestern Missouri; and Father Francis Bitterman, vice rector and dean of formation at Mundelein Seminary near Chicago.

Numerous priests and deacons from the Jefferson City Diocese and beyond took part in the liturgy, with several permanent deacons assisting. Seminarians of the diocese also assisted -- as altar servers and in other liturgical roles.

The diocesan choir, led by cathedral music director Andrew Meagher, led the singing of the hymns and chants, accompanied by organist and pianist Annette Kehner, guitarist Laura Forbis-St. Clair, violinist Liz Kehl and a brass entourage.

Fourth-degree Knights of Columbus served as the honor guard. Members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in full regalia joined in the opening procession.

Dignitaries included Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe and first lady Claudia Kehoe, members of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish.

It was the first time a sitting Missouri governor attended a Catholic bishop's installation since Gov. Warren Hearnes attended Bishop Michael F. McAuliffe's in 1969.

The rite of epicopal ordination followed Archbishop Rozanski's homily and began with the soon-to-be-ordained Bishop O'Donnell's promises to fulfill the duties of a bishop: preaching the Gospel faithfully; guarding the deposit of faith handed down from the Apostles and their successors; building up the body of Christ; obeying the pope; guiding the people of God toward salvation; welcoming strangers, the poor and all who are in need; seeking out those who are lost; praying without ceasing; and carrying out the office of high priest without reproach.

Other parts of the rite included Archbishops Rozanski, McKnight and McGovern each silently placed his hands on the new bishop's head as he knelt. They invoked the Holy Spirit to infuse him with power and wisdom.

Next came the prayer of ordination, with Archbishop Rozanski reciting the first and third part and Archbishops McKnight and McGovern reciting the second part. Bishop O'Donnell's head was then anointed with sacred chrism in the shape of a cross.

The new bishop was then presented with the symbolic objects of his office -- the Book of the Gospels, a ring, a miter and a crosier.

Archbishop Rozanski and Cardinal Pierre led Bishop O'Donnell to the cathedra, or bishop's chair, in the cathedral sanctuary.

The people stood and applauded enthusiastically, and each bishop present came forward to exchange a sign of peace with the new bishop.

Members of Bishop O'Donnell's family came forward in procession at the offertory to present the gifts of bread and wine for the Mass.

After Communion, fellow Missouri Bishops Johnson and Rice led Bishop O'Donnell through the cathedral to impart his blessing.

In his remarks before the end of Mass, Bishop O'Donnell expressed deep gratitude to many people and summoned the faithful to join their voices and works with Christ the shepherd in proclaiming the Good News to all creation.

He thanked the consecrating prelates and all his fellow bishops and priests who attended.

He called to mind the steady witness his mother, Janie O'Donnell, has given him throughout his life. "My love for you goes beyond any word spoken," the bishop told her. His father, Terrance, died before the future bishop turned 2.

Bishop O'Donnell spoke of that day's reading from St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: "You are fellow citizens of the saints and members of the household of God. ... In (Christ), you are being built into his Temple, to become a dwelling place for God in the Spirit" (2:19-22).

The bishop said he loves that the St. Paul's words are still in the present tense, "as they were some 2,000 years ago."

"Jesus Christ is alive!" the bishop proclaimed. "And through him, through God's grace, we are asked to participate as the Body of Christ in time, with him as our head."

The bishop pointed out what's inscribed over the door leading out of the cathedral: "Go into the world and proclaim the Gospel to all creation."

"Let us now, all of us, go forth from this altar, this holy place, to serve our Lord with gladness," he said.