Chicagoland

Archbishop Cupich is invested with the pallium Aug. 23

By Michelle Martin
Sunday, September 6, 2015

Archbishop Cupich is invested with the pallium Aug. 23

When Archbishop Cupich received the pallium — a special vestment made of lamb’s wool — on his shoulders Aug. 23, 2015, he did so in a demonstration of unity that he said extended from the people in the pews to the bishops who joined him in the sanctuary to Pope Francis. He was invested with the pallium by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, after receiving it from Pope Francis in the Vatican on June 29.
Archbishop Vigano embraced Archbishop Cupich after investing him with the pallium. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Vigano placed the pallium over Archbishop Cupich's head. The pallium is a scarf or stole-like vestment that is worn over the chasuble when the archbishop celebrates Mass. (John H. White/Catholic New World)
Following the investiture, Archbishop Vigano blessed Archbishop Cupich. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
The congregation applauded after Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago received the pallium during a special Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago on Aug. 23. To his left is Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States, who invested Archbishop Cupich with the pallium that was blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican on June 29. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
The congregation applauded for Archbishop Cupich after he received the pallium on Aug. 23. (John H. White/Catholic New World)
Bishops from Illinois and around the United States participated in the Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. (John H. White/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Cupich held his crosier while listening to the Gospel reading. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Cupich delivered his homily. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Members of Archbishop Cupich's family attended the Mass to see him invested with the pallium. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Blase Cupich incensed the altar during an Aug. 23 Mass at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago where he received the pallium. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
A deacon incenses Archbishop Cupich. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Parishioners from Immaculate Conception Parish, 2745 W 44th St, Chicago, dressed in Lithuanian and Mexican folklore to the Mass showing the rich diversity of their parish. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Visiting bishops prayed during the Eucharistic Prayer. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Cupich raises the cup during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)
Archbishop Cupich processed out of Holy Name Cathedral at the end of the Aug. 23 where he received the pallium. (John H. White/Catholic New World)
After processing out of the cathedral the archbishop returned to greet well-wishers. (Karen Callaway/Catholic New World)

When Archbishop Cupich received the pallium — a special vestment made of lamb’s wool — on his shoulders Aug. 23, he did so in a demonstration of unity that he said extended from the people in the pews to the bishops who joined him in the sanctuary to Pope Francis.

He was invested with the pallium by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the apostolic nuncio to the United States, after receiving it from Pope Francis in the Vatican on June 29.

Archbishop Viganò spoke before placing the pallium on Archbishop Cupich’s shoulders, telling the congregation, “It is first and foremost a symbol of the unity of your archbishop with the Holy Father, and of the unity of your archbishop with his brother bishops,” Archbishop Viganò said.

The pallium itself is a strip of white wool, about two inches wide, with six black crosses. The ends, which hang down about a foot in the front and back, are black, to look like the hooves of a lamb carried on the archbishop’s shoulders, and three of the crosses have gold pins through them, reminiscent of the nails of Christ’s crucifixion.

Overall, it serves as a reminder of the role of the archbishop as shepherd to his people.

In his homily, Archbishop Cupich reflected on the readings of the day, especially the Gospel, in which Peter speaks for the apostles and says they will stand by Jesus because they are convinced he is the “Holy One of God.”

“All of this invites us, then, to sit with the Word God and reflect on what is being asked of us, as the successor of Peter through his representative places the pallium on my shoulders as the pastor of the church of this City of Big Shoulders,” he said. “And, I do mean us, for I know I cannot carry this important responsibility by myself.”

The occasion was historic, as Pope St. John Paul II started the practice of bestowing the pallium on newly installed archbishops every year on the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, June 29, in the Vatican. Pope Francis decided to change that process this year, calling the archbishops to Rome to receive their palliums on the feast day, but having them placed on their shoulders by the pope’s representatives in their own archdioceses. That allows the archbishops to share the occasion with their own people and with the bishops of the other dioceses in their provinces.

In his homily, which is printed on Page 3 of this issue, Archbishop Cupich said the entire church must seek out the lost sheep.

“Our commission begins with searching out the lost, but it does not end there,” he said. “Once found, the lost are to be lifted high above the daily toil, so that they may see their salvation as but another of the mighty deeds of God over the ages, so that in being raised high they will experience the newness of risen life and by being lifted to eye level, they will see Christ face to face and come to believe in God’s love.”

In doing so, those who find the lost sheep are only passing on the good that was once done to them, the archbishop explained, because like Peter, “a man weak and sinful by his own admission, and the church’s,” every person has strayed from the path the Lord set.

“Just as Peter’s faith is a model for us, his poverty and lowliness is too, as we take up this share in his ministry,” Archbishop Cupich said. “A great reminder to us, that while we are honored to join in this service and leadership, we do so as poor beggars, depending not on our accomplishments and strengths but on his grace and mercy. For, like St. Peter, we know the value of lifting up to shoulder level the lost, for we have been lost ourselves.”

Archbishop Viganò also emphasized the role of the archbishop in preserving and defending the magisterium and the teaching of the church in unity with the Holy Father, so that the church remains one and universal.

Hundreds of people waited in line to enter Holy Name Cathedral for the Mass, which was open to the public.

First in line were Karen and Rich Ertl, from St. Irenaeus Parish in Park Forest, the southernmost parish in the archdiocese. They came to represent their area and remind everyone that the far southeastern part of Cook County is indeed part of the archdiocese.

“We wanted to make sure someone from the south suburbs was here,” said Karen Ertl, who arrived more than 2½ hours before the Mass started. “We also wanted to maybe take a few pictures for our bulletin.

Cesar Favila, who is studying for a doctorate in music history at the University of Chicago, came with a friend, KC Vavra.

Favila said that he was out of the country last year, so he was not able to attend services around Archbishop Cupich’s installation or the funeral of Cardinal George.

“It’s the first time I’m able to check him out in person,” Favila said. “And it’s a historic occasion.”

Nick Vallorano said he was pleased to see Archbishop Cupich receive the pallium because, while he still misses Cardinal George, he admires the way Archbishop Cupich is leading the archdiocese.

“I love how he’s getting out to all parts of the archdiocese,” he said.

After the Mass, Archbishop Cupich told reporters that for his part, he was impressed by the number of people who came out for the Mass.

“It’s a Sunday afternoon in the last days of summer, a beautiful day, a lot of ball games going on and so forth, and it filled up pretty well,” he said of the cathedral. “I was just taken by that. It shows the deep faith of the people, but also that they take seriously that we are one church. I know there are other people who are going to help me carry out this responsibility.”

Photo Gallery | Archbishop Cupich’s homily | Watch Mass

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