October 21, 2009

New monsignors receive papal honors

By John Gleason

Well-wishers filled the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception the evening of Oct. 13 to witness the conferral of papal honors on eight priests of the Denver Archdiocese who were named monsignors in June by Pope Benedict XVI. 

The Solemn Evening Prayer liturgy began with the eight monsignors processing in under the watchful eye of a Knights of Columbus honor guard.  The eight—Msgr. Robert Amundsen, Msgr. David Croak, Msgr. Jorge De los Santos, Msgr. Michael Glenn, Msgr. Robert Kinkel, Msgr. Kenneth Leone, Msgr. Peter Quang Nguyen and Msgr. Bernard Schmitz—were given the rank “Chaplain to His Holiness.”

The liturgy included psalms sung in English and Spanish and the Magnificat chanted in Latin.

Liturgy celebrant was Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M Cap.  Among the vested clergy were Auxiliary Bishop James D. Conley and Moderator of the Curia Msgr. Thomas Fryar, V.G.  Denver priest Msgr. J. Anthony McDaid, who is now a department head in the Congregation for the Clergy in Vatican City, served as homilist. 

Msgr. McDaid began his remarks by commenting on the reading of St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians, which urges compassion, kindness, humility and patience.

“St. Paul reminds me about giving thanks for the great goodness of God; the goodness that each one of us has experienced in our lives,” he told the congregation.  “It is in this spirit of expressing thanks and giving honor that we participate in tonight’s ceremony.”

Msgr. McDaid elicited laughter when he said he had considered doing a “This is Your Life” for each of the men but couldn’t as their years of service aren’t finished yet.

“Today’s ceremony is merely marking a milestone along the way of a life dedicated to the service of God and his people,” he said. “The Church honors you with the title of Monsignor, Chaplain to His Holiness, in recognition of many years of dedicated service in the vineyard of the Lord.  Years marked by success, failures, pain, joy and quiet moments of solitude.”

Following the homily, Bishop Conley read the Letter of Appointment from the Vatican and presented the new monsignors to Archbishop Chaput and the congregation.  Each monsignor then went forward in turn to accept a framed copy of the proclamation of their new office and were acknowledged by the people with enthusiastic applause.

There are three ranks within the honorary title of monsignor: Chaplain to His Holiness, Prelate of Honor and Apostolic Protonotary.  In order to be considered for the title, candidates must have served in the priesthood for a decade and be 35 years old.  Monsignor’s are permitted to wear distinctive vestments, which include a black cassock trimmed in purple with purple fascia.

Following the ceremony, Archbishop Chaput thanked Msgr. McDaid for being present to represent the Holy Father.  Then he turned to the assemblage of priests and seminarians who were present.
“Our monsignors come from our body of priests,” he said.  “St. John Vianney, who is our patron, was himself not a monsignor, but he was a saint.  We should strive to be like him.”

Turning to the congregation, the archbishop added, “We also want to thank the parishes where these priests have come from and their families as well, as this is the first place we learn our faith.”
Following the ceremony, a joyous reception was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall near the cathedral.