Grace Cathedral

Dear Friends,

The hour is coming! In just over a week, we’ll ordain and consecrate the Rev. Austin Keith Rios as the Bishop Coadjutor of our diocese. (Curious about coadjutorship? Read this post.)

What will the big day look like? If you’ve been present for the ordination of a deacon or priest, you’ll note some parallels. You may observe some of the grandeur and ceremonial patterns of Christmas Eve Midnight Mass or Easter Sunday at 11 am. The liturgy for the ordination of a bishop also symbolizes the distinct charisms of the episcopal order: participation in the leadership of the whole church; principal baptizer; sign of fidelity and unity; and primary ambassador to civic, ecumenical and interfaith bodies.

Episcopal ordination services gather representatives from across the country and around the world, and feature multiple processions. The color of the day is red, a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the spirit of Pentecost, you’ll hear many languages of the Diocese spoken or sung, and see the English-language portions of the liturgy interpreted in American Sign Language. We expect the service to be 2 or so hours in length. A reception will follow.

If you have registered to attend in person, please plan to be seated no later than 10:25 am. The next opportunity to be seated in the cathedral will be after all the processions have made their way to the front of the nave, approximately 11:20 am. If you did not register, you can still take part. Come to the cathedral and see if there are seats available at 11:20 am, or gather on the plaza at 11:20 am, where the liturgy will be livestreamed and communion shared. The liturgy will also be livestreamed.

As the cathedral hosts our diocese and beyond, each of you who comes in person has the opportunity to extend that hospitality and welcome. Take a moment to greet those around you in the pews, and introduce yourself to someone you don’t know at the reception. Be ready to guide someone to the restroom, or offer to switch seats so a family can sit together. It takes a cathedral to be the cathedral for the diocese.

Finally, our principal job as Christians is to pray. It is always right and good, and it is especially important in preparation for these momentous events. Do it privately and in public. Join us for Choral Evensong on Thursday, May 2, at 5:30 pm as we gather in Vigil for the Ordination of a Bishop, and center ourselves on the one who is the foundation, pioneer and perfecter of our faith, Jesus Christ.

With Love,

Anna