A priest became a bishop

Bishop Thomas Hennen

On Sept. 29, "Fr. Thom" became Bishop Thomas Hennen.

He was ordained a deacon, then a priest in Davenport, Iowa. With his ordination and installation, he became the seventh Bishop of the Diocese of Baker in Oregon — and, at age 47, the youngest bishop in America.

A bishop is ordained by three bishops. The principal ordaining bishop was Archbishop Alexander Sample, Portland, with co-consecrators Bishop Emeritus Liam Cary, Baker, and Bishop Dennis Walsh, Davenport.

The Sacrament of Holy Orders followed the liturgical book “Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons.” The rite has three parts: the preparatory rites, the essential element and the explanatory rites.

The Preparatory Rites

Presentation of the bishop-elect

In the rite, a bishop-elect is called by name.

Homily

Sample was the homilist.

Promise of the Elect

Hennen answered “I do” to each of these questions:

“Are you resolved to carry out the office of bishop until death; to faithfully proclaim the Gospel; to guard the deposit of faith; to build up the Church in unity with the College of Bishops and the pope; to render obedience to the pope; to encourage and guide the people of God with the priests and deacons; to show mercy to the poor, strangers and those in need; to seek and bring back those who have strayed; and to pray without ceasing and carry out the office of High Priest without reproach?”

Hennen added, “With the help of God,” to the last question, as called for in the rite.

The promise concluded: “May God, who has begun the good work in you, bring it to fulfillment.”

Litany of Supplication

Hennen prostrated himself, (lay on the carpet, face down), as the Litany of the Saints was invoked, (called on for aid), over him, intoned (chanted) by all assembled. Litany of the Saints is the oldest form of prayer by which saints are asked for help. The Litany is used only at ordinations, the Easter Vigil for blessing the baptismal water and at Forty Hours Devotion.

Mandate from the Apostolic See appointing the bishop-elect

Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, (the pope's representative), delivered the presentation, which appointed the bishop-elect. Pope Leo XIV signed and sealed the decree.

Cardinal Pierre said, “In a special way, you are blessed to begin your ministry as bishop during this Jubilee, which Pope Francis called “a moment of genuine, personal encounter with the Lord Jesus” (Spes Non Confundit, 1). Pierre continued: "As you join together with the people of the Diocese of Baker on a pilgrimage of hope, you are being led by the risen Christ. Conformed to him, relying on the help of your collaborators, and trusting in God’s promises which do not disappoint, you are sure to be an inspiring teacher, an effective minister of grace, and a good leader for God’s people,” the nuncio said.

After the proclamation of the mandate, the rite called for Hennen to process throughout the cathedral, holding up the decree for all to witness.

The Essential Element

Laying on of Hands

Hennen knelt before Sample to receive, in silence, the imposition of hands. In turn, each of the 17 bishops in attendance silently imposed hands, holding them briefly at the sides of Hennen's head. It is the essential gesture or “matter”, (the sign), of the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

Prayer of Ordination

Two deacons held the Book of the Gospels open, above Hennen’s head. Sample prayed aloud, asking God to “pour forth the power of the governing Spirit given to Christ, who then gave it to the Apostles, to the glory and unfailing praise of God’s name. With this, Hennen became the “newly-ordained bishop.”

The Explanatory Rites

Anointing with chrism

Chrism is one of three holy oils blessed each year at the Chrism Mass. It is the only oil with fragrant balsam added to olive oil for confirmation and ordination. Hennen was anointed on the head with the words: “May God, who has made you a sharer in the High Priesthood of Christ, Himself pour out upon you the oil of mystical anointing and make you fruitful with an abundance of spiritual blessing,” thereby signifying the bishop’s distinctive share in the priesthood of Christ.

Presentation of the Book of the Gospels,

“Receive the Gospel and preach the word of God with all patience and sound teaching.” These words signify that “the faithful preaching of the word of God is the pre-eminent obligation of the office of the bishop.” A book of gospels was presented to Hennen.

Ring

“Receive this ring, the seal of fidelity and adorned with undefiled faith, preserve unblemished the Bride of God, the holy Church.” A ring was presented.

Miter

“Receive the miter, (the bishop's hat), and let the splendor of holiness shine in you, so that when the chief Shepherd appears you may merit to receive an unfading crown of glory.” A mitre was placed on Hennen's head.

Crosier

“Receive the crosier, (a wooden staff was presented), the sign of the pastoral office, and keep watch over the whole flock in which the Holy Spirit has placed you as bishop to govern the Church of God.”

With these presentations, Hennen will perform the three duties of the office of bishop:

to teach, to sanctify, to govern.

Installation

All rise

All present rose from their places for the installation of the newly-ordained bishop.

Cathedra

Hennen was formerly invited "to be seated in the first place among the concelebrating bishops" — the “cathedra” (bishop’s chair in a cathedral). The applause was loud and sustained.

In addition to family, Davenport diocesan staff, St. Ambrose University staff, parishioners and friends attended the Mass in Bend. In Hennen's Iowa diocese, his parish at Sacred Heart Cathedral hosted a livestreaming watch party. A group of Catholics on pilgrimage in Italy watched from a hotel conference room. Throughout the Diocese of Davenport, many watched on their computers or phones.

“‘Bishops, as successors of the apostles, receive from the Lord, who was given all power in heaven and on earth, the mission to teach all nations and to preach the Gospel to every creature, so that by faith, Baptism, and obedience to the commandments (cf. Matthew 28:18) all people may attain salvation.’ The College of Bishops, gathered under one head, the Roman Pontiff, successor of Peter, expresses the unity, diversity and universality of the flock of Christ.”

“Ordination of a Bishop, of Priests, and of Deacons”

— By Paulette Peynet

To view the ordination and installation:

https://www.dioceseofbaker.org/bishop-thomas-hennen