The Archdiocese of Chicago welcomed Blase J. Cupich as its ninth archbishop during a Nov. 18 installation Mass that featured several outpourings of applause and gratitude both for Archbishop Cupich and Cardinal Francis George, who became archbishop emeritus of Chicago.

The simple ritual took place just after Cardinal George started the Mass, when Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, apostolic nuncio to the United States, read the apostolic mandate from Pope Francis and Archbishop Cupich formally accepted.

Then Archbishop Vigano and Cardinal George escorted Archbishop Cupich to the cathedra, the bishop’s chair, and he was presented with a crozier used by Cardinal George Mundelein. A standing ovation from the congregation led directly into the “Gloria.”

It was the first time since becoming an archdiocese in 1880 that a Chicago archbishop lived to see the transfer of authority to a new ordinary.

Archbishop Cupich chose the date for the installation because it is the Commemoration of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul in Rome. He grew up in Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Omaha, Nebraska, the parish that his grandparents helped to found.

During his homily, the archbishop explained that all four of his grandparents were immigrants from Croatia, and the date was meant to recognize immigrants. It’s also the feast of St. Philippine Duchesne, who ministered to native people, so the date recognizes both Native Americans and the contributions of religious sisters, he said.

Then he looked at the readings for the day, and found that the Gospel (Mt 14:22-33) was the story of Jesus walking on water, and “I have to admit, I had a bit of a panic attack,” he said in his homily. “Seriously, folks, I don’t do ‘walking on water.’ I can barely swim.”

But among the lessons the Gospel story is meant to teach is that the experience of sharing life with God should prompt us to seek others to share that life with them, just as Jesus sought his disciples in the boat, even if it “seems so daunting, as daunting as walking on water.”

To do that authentically, Christians must reach back to their own baptismal calling, he said. That’s what bishops must do as they continue to work in the aftermath of the sexual abuse crisis.

“Working together to protect children to bring healing to victim survivors and to rebuild the trust that has been shattered in our communities by our mishandling is our sacred duty, as is holding each other accountable, for that is what we pledge to do,” he said.

Jesus does more than seek out his apostles in that Gospel passage, Archbishop Cupich said. He also invites Peter to join him on the water. “Jesus invites us, not only to take the risk of leaving our comfort zone, but also to deal with the tension involved in change … and to challenge each other to do so,” he said.

Then Jesus got into the boat, despite all the fear, doubt and jealousy that was ruling the relationships among the apostles, and that demonstrates how Jesus accompanies his people.

“His coming to us, his communion with us is not for the perfect, but is for the salvation of souls, for the lost, the forlorn and those who are adrift,” he said. “That is why now, in our day, Peter, in his successor, Pope Francis, urges us to take up the task of crossing the seas to seek out, to invite and accompany others, because the Risen Christ is in the boat with us,” he concluded.

Archbishop Cupich’s homily was heard by a congregation that included seven cardinals and about 95 archbishops and bishops as well as hundreds of priests. It was also broadcast live on all Chicago news stations and EWTN and Relevant Radio.

All eight of the archbishop’s siblings attended the installation. They, and their children and grandchildren, made for a family group of about 55 people, most of whom came to Chicago on Saturday and got to spend some time sightseeing before the installation ceremonies started with the Rite of Reception at Holy Name Cathedral Nov. 17.

One evening, the family had dinner at the cardinal’s residence cooked by the Polish religious women who take care of the residence, according to Margaret Altman, Archbishop Cupich’s sister.

“It was a lovely Polish meal,” she said.

They also took time for Chicago-style pizza and shopping, and the men in the family saw the Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Nov. 16.

Many family members had attended Archbishop Cupich’s ordination as a bishop in Rapid City, South Dakota in 1998, and his installation as bishop of Spokane, Washington, in 2010, but the scale of the events in Chicago was quite a bit bigger, said Kathy Schulte, Archbishop Cupich’s sister.

While his relatives said the experience was more intense because so many people, and so many media outlets, are interested, they have confidence that new archbishop can navigate the waters.

“I think he’s very used to it,” said Bill Altman, Margaret’s husband. “He’ll do very well.”

“It’s amazing to see it in person,” Schulte said. “And everyone has been so nice.”

Margaret Altman handled getting dozens of Cupich relations together and on the same page for what turned out to be something of a family reunion, bringing in members from California and Kansas as well as Nebraska, among other places. She brought a bag or red-and-white ribbons to the installation Mass to identify family members.

Grand-nephews Jacob, 14, and Richie Aguilera, 18, of Wichita said the event was like a big family reunion, and they were enjoying the time hanging out with relatives.

Pam Fritz was one of several people who attended from the Diocese of Rapid City. When Archbishop Cupish was ordained a bishop there, she said, she was in charge of making sure his family had what they needed. She was with Margaret Simonson, chancellor of the Diocese of Rapid City.

Simonson said Chicago is fortunate to have Archbishop Cupich.

“I think he was made for this place,” she said. “I think he’s going to do a great job for you.”

One of the first people in the entrance procession for the Mass was Roland Nightingale of the Knights of St. Peter Claver, Assembly 12. After the Mass, he said he enjoyed the opportunity to hear the new archbishop on the day he took his seat in Holy Name Cathedral.

“It was nice,” he said. “I’m sure he’ll be a blessing and take us in the direction that we need to go as a Catholic family.”

Anne Joyce, a member of St. Giles Parish, Oak Park, sang in the choir for the installation Mass, and she liked what Archbishop Cupich had to say, and the way he said it.

“He’s a wonderful speaker,” she said. “Warm and genuine. I think the archdiocese is going to see a lot of coming together from him.”

Fellow choir member Julie Doloszycki, from St. Bernardine Parish, Forest Park, said that she travelled to Rome as a member of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council when Cardinal George received his red hat in 1998, so she felt like this was coming full circle.

Doloszycki and Joyce both praised Archbishop Cupich’s sense of humor, and applauded his announcement at the end of the Mass that Cardinal George, as archbishop emeritus, should continue to be included in the eucharistic prayer in the archdiocese.

“It was just a demonstration of his love for others,” she said.

Complete homily: English | Español