The Ordination of Archibishop Joseph Augustine DiNoia, O.P. - July 11, 2009
Article by DHS.edu

Photography by: Carlos Molina

The Ordination of Archibishop Joseph Augustine DiNoia, O.P. Newly ordained Archbishop Joseph Augustine DiNoia, O.P. was appointed Secretary of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Benedict XVI on June 16th 2009 and at the same time named  titular Archbishop of Oregon City.

On Saturday, July 11th, he was ordained at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. William Joseph Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was the principal consecrator, with Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington and retired Archbishop Thomas Kelly, O.P. of Louisville as co-consecrators.  

His ordination was a celebration for the entire Church, as more than a thousand people gathered at the National Shrine to witness thishistoric event. Also present were cardinals and bishops from across the United States, including Justin Cardinal Rigali, of Philadelphia, and retired Archbishop of Washington, William Cardinal Baum and members of the Roman Curia, other prelates, with religious and diocesan clergy concelebrating. The Order of Preachers was well represented in the large assembly of faithful, with many Dominican priests, sisters, brothers, as well as members of the Dominican Laity present. Archbishop DiNoia was especially happy to be ordained in Washington, D.C.; having spent more than 25 years teaching and serving the Church here in Washington, he considers it his second home.  

The liturgy was beautiful and inspiring. In his homily, Cardinal Levada expounded upon thedoctrines of the church concerning the ordination of Bishops and apostolic succession.  He said: “Bishops, in an eminent and visible manner, take the place of Christ himself, teacher, shepherd, and priest, and act as His representatives.” He then discussed the rites of ordination, which “illustrate in a dramatic fashion the three-fold role of the Bishop modeled on Christ.”   

Cardinal Levada also spoke about the challenges facing those who preach the Gospel and are faithful to it, tying his words to the rite of ordination, during which the book of the Gospels is held above the Bishop-elect's head (pictured below) while the prayer of ordination is said. Following the homily, Cardinal Levada and all the bishops present laid their hands on Archbishop DiNoia’s head in imitation of the ritual recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.

After communion, the congregation chanted the Te Deum and the newly ordained Archbishop processed through the church, bestowing his blessing (pictured above). Then he spoke, briefly but powerfully, to the entire congregation, saying that we must not congratulate ourselves, “but it is to God that the glory belongs.” He concluded, praying, “May the Order of Preachers, under the mantle of the Mother of God, continue to flourish in fraternal love purified in obedience to the truth. To God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be glory now and forevermore.”  

Cardinal Levada in his homily and Archbishop DiNoia in his remarks commented on how fitting it was for the ordination to take place on the Feast of St. Benedict, as it honors the patron saint chosen by our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI. The admiration expressed by Archbishop DiNoia is also based on his having worked directly with Cardinal Ratzinger as the Under-secretary for the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith before the Cardinal was elected pope.  

Here in Washington, Fr. DiNoia was as a member of the Pontifical Faculty of Theology of the Immaculate Conception for 25 years and also its president for a year. This task was cut short when he was appointed to work at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  

For more information about the Ordination, click here.  To see the entire mass, please visit Catholictv.com. To see photos of the mass, please click here. For more information about Archbishop DiNoia, and for his archived lectures and articles, please click here.