“Everyone is on a high,” Bishop Mulvee said, noting the joy that filled the Cathedral residence as more than 20 archbishops and bishops prepared for the episcopal ordination.

“I think the people in the state will feel his love very quickly,” he said.

Bishop Daniel P. Reilly, bishop emeritus of Worcester, Mass., who served as chancellor of the Diocese of Providence before being appointed bishop of Norwich, Conn. in 1975, recalled Bishop Evans as a young altar server at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church on Federal Hill, where then Msgr. Reilly often celebrated Mass on weekends.

“It is a day of real blessing,” Bishop Reilly commented, recalling his decades long friendship with the new prelate.

“He was always upbeat,” Bishop Reilly said, adding that Bishop Evans was a good student as a youth and had a “wonderful personality.

“The priests are very happy,” he continued. “Bishop Evans really likes people. That’s the wonderful thing about the priesthood.

“I’m so happy for his mother, too,” Bishop Reilly concluded.

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien said that it was important for him to attend the episcopal ordination because he has seen Bishop Evans at work in many positions within the Church, both in Rome and in this country.

“There was never, never a negative word or attitude,” Archbishop O’Brien said of his many dealings with the new bishop. “When they let him loose in the parishes, they’ll really appreciate it.”

William Cardinal Keeler, archbishop emeritus of Baltimore, recalled Bishop Evans work assisting graduate students at the North American College in Rome, and earlier at the Papal Nunciature In Washington, D.C.

“His experience is such that he is equipped to do anything, and I believe that Bishop Tobin will authorize him to do the work of which he is capable.”

Cardinal Keeler said that he missed a meeting of the Papal Foundation, an organization that supports Catholic-related projects and programs throughout the world, where he serves as vice chairman of the board of trustees.

“I felt an obligation to be here because I have known Bishop Evans for such a long time,” the cardinal said, adding that he also worked with Bishop Tobin when they both served as members of the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference.

Msgr. John Darcy, chancellor of the diocese, shared the sentiments of many on the historic day.

“This is a very happy, joyous day for the diocese and for bishops Evans and Tobin as they go forward to lead and teach the faithful of our beloved diocese.”

Bishop Robert J. McManus, the current bishop of Worcester, who served as auxiliary bishop of Providence from 1999-2004, described the new bishop as “a very pastoral man who is always beloved by the people” and “well respected by the priests.

“It’s a great Christmas gift for the Diocese of Providence,” he added.

In his homily, Bishop Tobin told his new auxiliary that he had been chosen by God for his new role in the Church.

“My brother, the Scripture readings we have listened to today help to answer the question

that is foremost in your mind right now, namely – ‘What in heaven’s name am I doing here?’” Bishop Tobin said.

“Well, in fact, you are here because God wants you to be here,” he continued. “Our Heavenly Father has led you to this holy place and to this sacred moment to fulfill the plan for which He created you. Or, as Jesus said to His Apostles at the Last Supper and with words He now repeats to you, ‘You did not choose me; I chose you.’ That, my friend, is why you are here today!

“Those words of the Lord Jesus – ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you’ – bestow great

credibility as well as enormous responsibility upon the Apostles and their successors. Nonetheless,

as you begin this new and awesome ministry, you can do so with confidence, for Jesus also said to

His Apostles, ‘I no longer call you slaves, but I have called you friends,’” Bishop Tobin continued.

“Strengthening that friendship with Christ is the goal of the entire Christian life, is it

not?”?Bishop Tobin asked. “But it is also a source of consolation and hope for you. If you are a true friend of the Lord, you have nothing to fear as you gaze into the future and respond to the Lord’s promptings in your life.”

On a lighter note, and picking up on a comment that Bishop Evans had made in his remarks about growing up in humble surroundings on Federal Hill, Bishop Tobin added, “The kid from Federal Hill has done well” as the crowded Cathedral broke into loud applause for a native son of Providence.