It was a joyous day for the Archdiocese of Denver Nov. 4, when new auxiliary Bishop Jorge Rodriguez was consecrated to the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders by Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop Jose Gomez of Los Angeles and Cardinal J. Francis Stafford.
Watch the full ordination of Bishop Rodriguez here.
Watch highlights and hear Bishop Rodriguez reflections of the ceremony here.
Over 200 priests and deacons, 10 bishops, one abbot and countless friends, family and laypeople filled Denver’s Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception for the occasion. Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States, was also in attendance and read Pope Francis’ apostolic mandate dated Aug. 25 appointing Bishop Rodriguez to the episcopal office.
“Beloved son, as we place this responsibility upon you, it is our fervent prayer to the Lord that you zealously serve the faithful in the Mile High City so very dear to us and who are under the protection of the blessed Virgin Mary, the Immaculate Conception and the paternal intercession of St. Francis of Assisi,” the Holy Father wrote in the letter.
Bishop-Elect Jorge Rodriguez prostrates himself before the altar during his Episcopal Ordination Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on Nov. 4. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic)
During his homily, Archbishop Aquila recounted meeting Bishop Rodriguez 18 years ago in Rome, as the rector of the newly-opened St. John Vianney Theological Seminary looking for new faculty.
“Neither you nor I and that point in history knew what God’s plan would be for our lives, and little did you know that almost two decades later, you would become the auxiliary bishop,” he told the new bishop.
Archbishop Aquila urged Bishop Rodriguez to heed closely the prayer of Jesus from the Gospel of John (Jn 6, 14-19) read at the ordination Mass and recognize that it is a prayer that extends to his ministry as the auxiliary bishop of Denver.
“Listen to the prayer of Jesus in the Gospel you have chosen for today,” Archbishop Aquila said. “That prayer is prayed not only for the disciples, but it is prayed by Jesus for you today. You belong to the Father.”
Bishop Jorge Rodriguez thanks the assembled during his Episcopal Ordination Mass. (Photo by Anya Semenoff/Denver Catholic)
He added, “Let the words of Jesus penetrate your own heart, for it is he and the Spirit and the Father who consecrate you today as their bishop.”
Archbishop Aquila told Bishop Rodriguez he would be a “tremendous blessing” for the Latino community in northern Colorado, where 60 parishes offer Masses said in Spanish and over 50% of Catholics come from a Latino background.
For his concluding remarks, Bishop Rodriguez expressed his gratitude to the Lord and to all who have supported and prayed for him as he enters into the episcopate. He was especially grateful to the faithful he has served during his 10 years of service to the Archdiocese of Denver.
“I love you all,” he told the congregation. “You cannot imagine how important you’ve been in my life. The most important gift I have received are the people in the pews.”