Bishop W. Shawn McKnight ordained, installed as servant leader of the Jefferson City diocese

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Blazing colors, fragrant incense, the pealing of bells and resonant strains of “Veni, Creator Spiritus” — “Come, Creator Spirit.”

These, along with unexpectedly clear skies and a renewed call to gratitude and service, accompanied the dawn of Bishop W. Shawn McKnight’s reign as bishop of the Diocese of Jefferson City.

“To proclaim Jesus Christ risen and liberated from the dead is what we are all about!” Bishop McKnight proclaimed during his Ordination and Installation Mass Feb. 6 in the Cathedral of St. Joseph. “It is our task, it is our mission together to go out and to proclaim the Joy of the Gospel to a city, a diocese and a world so desperately in need of it.”

About 1,200 people filled the cathedral for the Mass, while thousands more followed it on TV, radio and the Internet.

Joining Bishop McKnight at the altar were: Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Pope Francis’ personal representative to the United States; Archbishop Robert J. Carlson of St. Louis, principal consecrator of the new bishop; Bishop Emeritus John R. Gaydos, who led the Jefferson City diocese for 20 years; Bishop Carl A. Kemme of Bishop McKnight’s home diocese of Wichita; and other bishops and archbishops from all over the United States.

Numerous priests from the Jefferson City, Wichita and other dioceses also concelebrated the Mass.

Archbishop Carlson called to mind that it was the feastday of St. Paul Miki and Companions, who gave their lives as martyrs for Jesus.

“In your own life as bishop, you will need to be courageous,” the archbishop reminded Bishop McKnight. “Like Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, you will be called to walk with the people you serve — to accompany them — but also to walk before them, showing them the way to God the Father.

“You may — you will — have to suffer for that,” Archbishop Carlson added.

He challenged Bishop McKnight to define his leadership by bringing healing to the brokenhearted and joy to the lowly.

“Be a bishop who understands he is called to service, not honor!” the archbishop charged.

He reminded the new bishop that Pope Francis sent him to central and northern Missouri to lead the people toward missionary discipleship.

“This, of course, demands that you model what it means to be a missionary disciple,” he said. “Your outward service must be a sign of your own inward journey — an awakening to the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in your life and vocation — the inward pilgrimage of your heart, open to the love of Christ, indeed thirsting for Christ.”

Archbishop Carlson talked about the state’s bishops ministering together for the people of Missouri while also allowing the people to minister to them — “not only ‘being for’ them but also ‘being with’ them in addressing the challenges of our day.”

He called to mind Pope St. John Paul II’s call for each bishop “to be sanctified and to sanctify, taking as his unifying principal contemplation of the face of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel of salvation.”

“This is an invitation to live out in faith, hope and charity the ministry of evangelization, liturgical presidency and leadership in the community, building up the Church in love,” the archbishop stated.

“This demands personal strength, apostolic courage and trusting abandonment to the inner working of the Holy Spirit,” he added.

Bishop McKnight labored to bring Pope Francis’ “Joy of the Gospel” to life in his most recent parish assignment and will be called on as bishop “to walk this path with greater intensity.”

“As you do so, I’m sure you can count on the prayerful support of the priests, deacons, consecrated religious and lay faithful of this local Church,” Archbishop Carlson said.

 

“With the help of God”

Bishop McKnight, 49, is one of the youngest bishops in the United States. He succeeds Bishop Emeritus Gaydos, 74, who retired for health reasons but plans to remain in Jefferson City.

For the ordination, blue, yellow and white banners and Bishop McKnight’s coat of arms adorned the entrance to the cathedral, in honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, patroness of the diocese.

None of the originally forecasted 2 to 5 inches of snow was in sight as congregants filled the cathedral. “Never underestimate the power of Carmelite prayer,” Father Mark Smith, pastor of the Marshall and Sweet Springs parishes, said outside while waiting to process into the cathedral.

He was referring to how the Discalced Carmelite sisters in Jefferson City had united their prayers for good weather with those of people throughout the diocese.

The sun broke through clouds shortly after the procession began, illuminating the stained glass windows and reflecting off the plumes of smoke that ascended to the rafters.

A choir of about 65 members and musicians from throughout the diocese led and accompanied the singing of hymns and chants. Thomas E. Halpin directed the choir, with Annette Kehner serving as organist.

A hand-bell choir played what sounded like pealing church bells as Bishop McKnight processed into the cathedral.

Roxanne Schulte, parish secretary for Our Lady of the Snows parish in Mary’s Home, proclaimed the first reading.

Dr. Peter O’Reilly, Bishop McKnight’s uncle and godfather, then proclaimed a reading that includes the bishop’s favorite Scripture passage: “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace,” (1 Peter 4:10).

Deacon Kenneth Wildhaber, who assists the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish in Jefferson City, chanted the Gospel reading.

Monsignor Donald W. Lammers, PA, a retired priest of the diocese, then presented Bishop McKnight on behalf of the local Church and asked Archbishop Carlson to ordain him to the order of bishop.

Archbishop Pierre greeted everyone on behalf of Pope Francis.

“On this day, you, the Church in Jefferson City, rejoice as Father William Shawn McKnight, a young, dedicated priest from the Diocese of Wichita, which is practically your next-door neighbor, is ordained to the fullness of the Priesthood and solemnly installed as your fourth bishop,” Archbishop Pierre stated.

The archbishop thanked Bishop Emeritus Gaydos for 20 years of distinguished service to the Church.

“May your apostolic labors for the splendor of the gospel continue to be abundant food for the building up of Christ’s body in faith, hope and love,” he said, followed by applause.

The archbishop then read the Pope’s letter appointing Bishop McKnight to lead this diocese. The people responded, “Thanks be to God” and applauded.

Bishop McKnight then walked down the aisles of the cathedral, holding up the document so everyone could see it.

He then took a seat on the chair in front of Archbishop Carlson, who offered guidance to him in the homily. Archbishop Carlson, Bishop Gaydos and Bishop Kemme, dressed in gold-colored vestments, sat in chairs in front of the altar.

After the homily, Archbishop Carlson asked Bishop McKnight if he promises to carry out his responsibilities as 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.

To each question, Bishop McKnight responded, “I do,” the last time adding, “with the help of God.”

 

Bonds of unity

The new bishop lay prostrate on the floor in front of the altar in a sign of humility and total obedience to God. The choir chanted a Litany of Saints, with the people responding, “Pray for us.”

Bishop McKnight then knelt before Archbishop Carlson, Bishop Gaydos and Bishop Kemme, who summoned the Holy Spirit by placing their hands on his head.

One by one, each of the other bishops did the same. Among them was Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, who as a priest of the Wichita diocese had imposed hands on then-Father Shawn McKnight during his priestly ordination 23 years ago.

Deacons Ray Purvis and John Neudecker then opened the Book of the Gospels and held it over the new bishop’s head, representing the power of God’s Word.

Archbishop Carlson then prayed the Prayer of Ordination over Bishop McKnight, asking God to pour out the Holy Spirit and help the new bishop serve worthily as a successor to the Apostles.

Archbishop Carlson anointed Bishop McKnight’s head in the sign of a cross with the Oil of Sacred Chrism, then presented him the Book of the Gospels, symbolic of his responsibility to evangelize.

The new bishop then received the symbols of his office.

Father Francis Doyle, acting chairman of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, presented the bishop’s ring.

Father Daniel Merz, chairman of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, presented the miter, the ceremonial hat a bishop wears at Mass.

Father Augustine Okoli, acting vice chairman of the Diocesan Presbyteral Council, presented the crosier, a ceremonial staff.

Archbishop Carlson then led Bishop McKnight to the bishop’s chair, known as a cathedra, a symbol of his teaching authority. The bells rang out again, and the congregation broke into long and enthusiastic applause.

Members of the Diocesan Pastoral Council presented the gifts of bread and wine during the Offertory.

The priests and bishops prayed the Eucharistic Prayer in union, their voices rumbling through the cathedral.

 

It is right and just

Bishop McKnight is only the fourth bishop to serve the 61-year-old Diocese of Jefferson City, which includes 110 parishes and missions in 38 counties in central and northeastern Missouri.

He chose “Gratias Agamus Domino” — “Let us give thanks to the Lord” — as his episcopal motto.

The words, inspired by Psalms 107 and 118, are part of the dialogue between the priest and the people in the prayers leading up to the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass.

The motto reflects his understanding that disciples must be filled with gratitude and grounded in the Eucharist, which comes from the Greek word for thanksgiving.

Authentic gratitude manifests itself in joyful, sacrificial service.

“Our faith, our belief in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, brings uplifting joy to those who are lowly, burdened or downcast,” Bishop McKnight stated. “It heals those who are broken, and it brings liberty to those who are held captive in the desolation of sin.”

He said he looks forward to “sharing our ministry together to bring hope to the poor in spirit and the materially impoverished, to heal the broken and wounded hearts of our community, to help others live in freedom, less selfishly and more sacrificially for others — because Jesus has risen!

“I pray through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, that each and every one of you may deepen your sense of gratitude to God,” he said.

 

Photo albums from the Ordination:

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-1,124?

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-2,125?

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-3,126?

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-4,127?

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-6,130?

http://catholicmissourianonline.com/stories/photos-ordination-and-installation-of-bishop-w-shawn-mcknight-part-7,131?

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