Archbishop Hebda Presides at Opening School Mass

Lou Anne Tighe, Director of Campus Ministry
September 12, 2016

On September 1, the Cretin-Derham Hall community opened the new school year with Archbishop Bernard Hebda.  Celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit, he asked everyone to reach out to others, especially those are alone.  Archbishop Hebda told the story of the chasuble he wore for the mass.  During World Youth Day in Poland, he and all of the bishops attending were gifted with a matching chasuble that was worn not only by them, but also the Holy Father, Pope Francis.  Over 400 bishops and the Pope wore this chasuble as a sign of God’s faithfulness and worldwide unity for peace.

In telling the story, he shared that the Pope encouraged the bishops to take their vestment back to their home countries.  However, he stressed that the vestment should not be put away for future occasions.  Rather, Pope Francis asked the bishops to share them with a community within their dioceses.  To the community’s surprise, Archbishop Hebda then offered his vestment to the students, faculty and staff of Cretin-Derham Hall.  He asked that this sacred gift from the Pope become the vestment for our community liturgies.

This gift was not simply a thoughtful gesture.  It represented the hope of the Archbishop, a very humble man, ordained to the priesthood, called to be archbishop and a leader in the process of transformation and healing for the world.  Cretin-Derham Hall and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis have been blessed with Archbishop Bernard Hebda.

Indeed Ut in Omnibus Glorificetur Dei!  [That in all things may God be glorified!]