Bishop O’Donnell becomes shepherd of Jefferson City diocese

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

Bishop Ralph B. O’Donnell, fifth bishop of Jefferson City

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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 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, in the presence of Cardinal Pierre.

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.

“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).

Wealth of experience

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, D.C.

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.

“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.”

Archbishop Rozanski called upon the new bishop and the Church of this 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.

It was the Feast of Saints Simon the Zealot and Jude Thaddeus, two of Jesus’s 12 Apostles.

“Like Jesus,” Archbishop Rozanski noted, “Bishop O’Donnell will call others to serve in the work of the Kingdom, he will ordain priests and deacons, receive the vows of consecrated religious, appoint catechists and members of his staff.”

He will lead the faithful in prayer at Mass, liturgies and gatherings.

“He must have that deep well from which to draw, of an intimate prayer life rooted in the Lord Jesus, our great High Priest, to be able to lead you in building the Kingdom of God,” the archbishop noted.

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.”

Servants and holy people

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 Archbishop Emeritus George J. Lucas of Omaha; Bishop James V. Johnson Jr. of Kansas City-St. Joseph; and Bishop Edward M. Rice and Bishop Emeritus John J. Liebrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

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

Also concelebrating were Monsignor 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 — seminaries that the new bishop had attended.

Numerous priests and deacons from the Jefferson City diocese and beyond took part in the Liturgy.

Assisting deacons included:

• Rev. Mr. Jacob Hartman, a seminarian who hopes to be the first to be ordained a priest by Bishop O’Donnell;
• Deacon Charles Ochoa, director of formation for men who are preparing to become permanent deacons of the diocese;
• Deacon Richard Vise, who assists the pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish in St. Robert and St. Jude Parish in Richland; and
• Deacon Jeronimo Chinchilla, who assists the pastor of St. Mary Parish in Milan and the Mission of St. Mary in Unionville.

Seminarians of this diocese assisted as altar servers and in other liturgical roles.

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

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 Michael Auchley, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Martinsburg and state deputy for the Knights of Columbus; and 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.

“With the help of God”

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

Erin Vader Ed.D., diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, proclaimed the first reading.

Carola Sánchez-Zurita, an assistant professor at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, proclaimed the second reading in Spanish.

Rev. Mr. Hartman chanted the Gospel reading.

Msgr. Kurwicki then presented the bishop-elect to the consecrating bishops and to the assembly.

Cardinal Pierre read the apostolic mandate from Pope Leo XIV, appointing Bishop O’Donnell to lead and serve the diocese.

The people responded, “Thanks be to God,” followed by vigorous applause.

Bishop O’Donnell then walked up and down the aisles of the cathedral, holding up the document so everyone could see it.

After the homily, Archbishop Rozanski asked Bishop O’Donnell 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 O’Donnell responded, “I do,” the last time adding, “with the help of God.”

The new bishop then 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 O’Donnell then knelt before Archbishop Rozanski, Archbishop Mc­Knight and Archbishop McGovern, each silently placing his hands on the new bishop’s head, invoking the Holy Spirit to infuse him with power and wisdom.

In a tradition dating from the fifth or sixth century, Deacons Ochoa and Chinchilla, ministers of the Gospel, held open the Book of the Gospels over the new bishop’s head, symbolizing the power of God’s word.

Archbishop Rozanski then prayed the beginning of the Prayer of Ordination over Bishop O’Donnell.

Archbishops McKnight and McGovern joined him in praying the second part.

Archbishop Rozanski then prayed the third part, including “May (Bishop O’Donnell) unceasingly cause your face to shine upon us and offer the gifts of your holy Church.”

Archbishop Rozanski then anointed Bishop O’Donnell’s head with the Oil of Sacred Chrism in the shape of a cross, sealing him for governance over the spiritual blessings of the Church.

Chrism, named for Christ, is used in Baptism, as well as Confirmation, the ordination of priests and bishops, and the dedication of churches and altars.

The pouring of Chrism over a new bishop’s head symbolizes his unique anointing with the fullness of Priesthood.

Archbishop McKnight consecrated the Chrism at the diocese’s Chrism Mass this past spring, predicting that the installation of a new bishop “will be a great day of rejoicing and celebration in a very special Jubilee Year of Pilgrims of Hope.”

Archbishop Rozanski presented Bishop O’Donnell the Book of Gospels, containing the Gospel readings for Mass for every day of the Church year, charging him to preach the word of God with patience and sound teaching.

Father Gregory Clever, the most recently ordained priest of the diocese, came forward to present Bishop O’Donnell his episcopal ring, symbol of fidelity between the new bishop and the Church.

Father John Henderson, the eldest priest of the diocese in active ministry, stepped forward to present a miter, the bishop’s liturgical headdress, to the new bishop, symbolizing the royal priesthood, the combination of governance and holiness.

Father Stephen W. Jones VF, pastor of Cathedral of St. Joseph Parish, presented Bishop O’Donnell the crosier, a staff that symbolizes the bishop’s pastoral authority as a shepherd of the flock.

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

The chair, from which the word “cathedral” is derived, symbolizes his role as teacher and leader of the diocese.

The people stood and applauded enthusiastically.

Each bishop present then came forward to exchange a sign of peace with the new bishop, welcoming him as a fellow successor to the Apostles.

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.

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

After Holy Communion, the choir and assembly chanted the ancient “Te Deum Laudamus” — “O God, we praise you” — in thanksgiving for the new bishop.

Fellow Missouri Bishops Johnson and Rice then led Bishop O’Donnell through the Cathedral to impart his blessing.

Into the world

Archbishop Rozanski, Cardinal Pierre and Bishop O’Donnell all lauded Archbishop McKnight and Msgr. Kurwicki for their work in leading the diocese.

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.

“I look forward to working with you,” he told the priests of the diocese, “as a brother thanking God for the many gifts he will imbue upon us for the sake of the faithful who depend on the Sacraments.”

He thanked Msgr. Kurwicki for serving as diocesan administrator.

“I think we’ll have to rely on Christ himself in the glory of heaven to give you a full reward,” he said. “But you have my personal gratitude.”

He greeted the deacons and said he’s looking forward to engaging, supporting and growing their ministry throughout the diocese.

He thanked the religious sisters serving in the diocese, as well as his cousin, Benedictine Sister Mary Bratrsovsky of the Sacred Heart Monastery in Lisle, Illinois, “for the witness your presence here calls to mind, the incredible women of faith whose life and profession have taught me greatly.”

He called to mind the steady witness his mother, Janie O’Donnell, has given him throughout his life. His father, Terrance, died before the future bishop turned 2.

“My love for you goes beyond any word spoken,” he told her.

The new bishop 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 words of the Apostle 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.