The Most Rev. Bernard Hebda was installed as the ninth archbishop of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis Friday afternoon.
St. Thomas sent a small group to the Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Students who gathered in Scooter’s to watch the ceremony on a livestream expressed hope about the future of the archdiocese.
“From what I’ve heard from some of my brother seminarians, he’s done a good job thus far in his apostolic administration of leading this archdiocese from being sort of drowned to bringing them back up above the water,” junior Jacob Degele said of Hebda.
First-year student Hope Bleeker said she had heard Hebda set up conferences with parishioners around the Twin Cities seeking feedback about the archdiocese; she believes this move demonstrated his perceptive leadership.
“He has a lot on his plate to deal with right out of the gates, but I think with what he’s shown so far, he’s going to do a great job of giving the people what they need and being prudent in knowing what to do,” Bleeker said.
The Mass was broadcast on the Catholic television channel EWTN. Students in Scooter’s watched intently as priests processed into the Cathedral, clapping and pointing at the screen when they saw clergy they recognized.
The Vatican announced in March that Pope Francis had chosen Hebda to replace Archbishop John Nienstedt as the permanent leader of the Twin Cities archdiocese; the apostolic letter that Francis wrote explaining his decision was read aloud at the Mass.
Students cheered and clapped when Hebda sat down in the cathedra, or the bishop’s throne. The act signified that Hebda was officially the archbishop.
Bleeker said she came to watch the installation ceremony because her job as a liturgical assistant this year has given her a greater appreciation for a Mass like today’s.
“I love that they’re having a viewing party here. It really encourages people to get involved and seek out the awesome traditions of the Catholic Church,” Bleeker added.
Sophie Carson can be reached at sophia.carson@stthomas.edu.