BOSTON — Beginning with the traditional knock on the door to the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, the Most Reverend Richard G. Henning, S.T.D., entered into the life of the Archdiocese of Boston as its tenth bishop and seventh archbishop.
Archbishop Henning was welcomed by Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, who presented the new archbishop to the assembly.
Representing the universal Church for this moment of great promise and new beginnings, Archbishop Henning was joined by some 1,400 guests including Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, five additional cardinals, five archbishops, more than fifty bishops, nearly five hundred priests, religious, deacons, seminarians, and the laity. Members of the Archbishop’s family including his parents Richard and Maureen, as well as leaders from the various interfaith community, government, business and parishes across the Archdiocese were also in attendance.
Archbishop Henning began his homily with the words “I believe!” He spoke about his faith in the Lord, his trust in Scripture, his love of the Eucharist and his devotion to the Church. He invited those listening to reflect on the consequences of our beliefs and the transforming power of entrusting ourselves to the Lord. He expressed gratitude to the Holy Father for the gift of this new ministry and gratitude to the people of Boston for the blessing of walking with them on the way of faith. He asked for the prayers of the faithful and invoked the intercession of Our Blessed Mother that he might give himself entirely to the Church of Boston. As he put it in his remarks: “I belong to the Lord, and I belong to you, the people of this Archdiocese.”
About the Installation
The procession began at 1:30 p.m. The installation began with Archbishop Henning entering the Cathedral and following Church tradition with the knock on the cathedral's doors. After being welcomed by Cardinal Seán, the Archbishop was presented to the assembly.
Cathedral rector, Msgr. Kevin O'Leary presented the new Archbishop with a cross, which he kissed and also a vessel of holy water with which he sprinkled the assembly.
The Mass began with Cardinal Seán as principal celebrant. Once Archbishop Henning officially succeeded Cardinal Seán, the new archbishop celebrated the rest of the Mass.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio to the U.S., read an English translation of the papal bull, or decree, from Pope Francis naming Archbishop Henning the Archbishop of Boston. Archbishop Henning then showed the bull to the Archdiocese's College of Consultors, which they inspected to ensure the papal seal on it was genuine. Once accepted, Archbishop Henning presented the bull to the entire assembly.
It is at this moment when Archbishop Henning was led to the cathedra(seat) of the archbishop and officially assumed his role as Archbishop of Boston. The Archbishop then proceeded to celebrate the Mass which included his homily and his expression of gratitude at the conclusion of the celebration.
Following the installation, there was a reception open to the public at SoWa Open Market on Harrison Ave., only blocks away from the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.
