Archbishop Richard Smith’s May 23 installation Mass at Holy Rosary Cathedral was resplendent in pageantry, flawless in organization, and liturgically solemn, and with thunderous applause, the faithful who filled Holy Rosary Cathedral welcomed Vancouver’s new Archbishop.

In addition to the overflow crowd that had to be accommodated in Rosary Hall next door, the livestreamed Mass was viewed by more than 7,000 people online. 

Also attending were Canada’s Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic; Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, the Archbishop of Quebec and Primate of Canada; Bishop William McGrattan, president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops; as well as bishops from across Canada, including many who were once priests for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

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The installation began with the Archbishop standing outside the cathedral doors and knocking three times with a gavel, symbolizing Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock.”

In his homily, Archbishop Smith said he was struck by two things: the traffic, and the monumental boundaries that define Vancouver, from the ocean and the mountains, or the American border to the south.

“I look forward to learning how these confines have come to shape the culture of the peoples they circumscribe,” he said.

The Archbishop said he can already see the spiritual world of Vancouver, without borders, that “exists in the very heart of this area.” Meditating on the multi-cultural reality of the city by quoting Peter in Acts 10, he said, “’God shows no partiality.’ The promise of salvation in Christ extends to all, without demarcation.”

The same universal mission of the Church that brought missionaries to British Columbia 200 years now compels the faithful to evangelize the city, he said. “We are blessed with the presence of peoples who represent a wide array of nations and cultures … we need simply to walk across the street, get on SkyTrain, or go to work to find ourselves in a vast missionary field.”

Archbishop Smith praised the “extensive and varied programs of faith and formation, creative communications, and missionary outreach” in parishes, Catholic institutions, and lay associations.

“There is a wonderful dynamism here, an enthusiasm for the Gospel, and I am eager to collaborate with all of you,” he said.

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“Our world needs Jesus Christ!” said Archbishop Smith. “So, like Saint Paul, ‘we do not lose heart’ but move forward in hope. The message we announce is “Jesus Christ as Lord”, risen and alive, whose light reveals the truth of God and ourselves, and whose mercy alone has the power to overcome all sin and transform the world in view of its salvation.”

Today’s greatest challenge is “getting through” to the hearts of the unconverted, he said. “Here is the lesson Jesus is teaching us: a message gets through when it answers directly and clearly to whatever need is prompting a search for resolution. We must understand the desires people have for the “safety, stability, and predictability” inaccessible in the modern world.”

Regarding the “many other anxieties and difficulties inhabiting the hearts of our contemporaries,” he said, “We must understand them well, so that, by God’s grace, the Gospel will ‘get through’ by our announcing Jesus Christ as the answer to the deepest questions of human existence.”

Anticipating the “many blessings the Lord has in store for us as we embrace together his call to evangelization,” he referenced Mary’s words to Elizabeth, he prayed “that the Lord, who is mighty, will do great things for his Church here in Vancouver, and throughout our country, as we pursue the mission to share with others the joy and hope that are ours in Christ Jesus, the Risen Lord.”

The defining moment of the evening came near the end of Archbishop Smith’s final remarks in which he thanked everyone from high-ranking clergy, to friends and family who had travelled from afar, to cathedral staff and volunteers. Then, with a pause, he added a final word of thanks: “that I offer on behalf of us all, Archbishop Michael Miller …”

He never finished the sentence. The cathedral faithful erupted in sustained applause, rising to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation that left Archbishop Miller gazing silently at the floor until the minute-long show of appreciation subsided.

As the congregation settled back into their pews, Archbishop Smith continued, “I obviously don’t need to say anything more,” he quipped, “but I shall.”

He went on to say it quickly became clear to him “how immensely grateful are the people of this local church” for Archbishop Miller’s strong and wise leadership, “and in what high esteem you are held.”

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He praised the retiring Archbishop’s “exceptional generosity,” especially his decision to remain in office nearly four years past the usual retirement age at the request of Pope Francis.

Archbishop Smith closed by offering thanks for Archbishop Miller’s episcopal ministry, and prayed that he be blessed “with much consolation and peace as you enter a new stage of discipleship.”