PROVIDENCE — More than 1,200 worshipers gathered March 25, the Feast of the Annunciation, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul for a Recognition of Papal Honors with an Evening Prayer service honoring 10 Monsignors recently named by the Holy Father.
The new monsignors were escorted into the Cathedral and greeted with applause.
Bishop Thomas J. Tobin presided at the prayer service. Bishops Louis E. Gelineau, Ernest B. Boland, Francis X. Roque, Robert J. McManus, Daniel P. Reilly, Salvatore Matano and Archbishop George H. Pearce were in attendance.
On being designated Monsignors last fall, the honorees became members of the Papal Household. The distinction of Chaplain to His Holiness, with accompanying privileges, has been conferred on priests since the fifteenth century in recognition of their special service and fidelity to the Church.
The honorees are: Rev. Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia, diocesan Secretary for Planning and Financial Services and pastor, St. Joseph Church, Providence; Rev. Msgr. Barry R. L. Connerton, pastor, St. Augustine Church, Providence; Rev. Msgr. John C. Halloran, pastor emeritus, St. Thomas More Church, Narragansett; Rev. Msgr. Nicholas J. Iacovacci, pastor emeritus, St. Ann Church, Providence; Rev. Msgr. John W. Lolio, pastor, Our Lady of Mercy Parish, East Greenwich; Rev. Msgr. Anthony Mancini, rector of the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, Providence; Rev. Msgr. Gerard O. Sabourin, director of Apostolate for Persons with Handicaps and administrator, Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Community, Exeter; Rev. Msgr. Richard D. Sheahan, pastor of Holy Apostles Church, Cranston; Rev. Msgr. Ronald P. Simeone, diocesan Vicar for Judicial Matters and pastor, St. Anthony Church, Woonsocket; and Rev. Msgr. Victor M. Vieira, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church, East Providence.
The new monsignors were escorted by the Knights of Columbus and greeted with applause as they entered the Cathedral.
Chaplain to His Holiness is the title created in 1968 to replace a collection of lesser monsignorial appointments. The title is granted by the pope to a member of the diocesan clergy upon request of the bishop, and more frequently upon clerics in the service of the Curia (Chancery), or in the papal diplomatic service. The honor is granted for a lifetime. The priests are entitled to the title of “Reverend Monsignor” and may wear a black cassock with fuchsia piping, buttons and sash.
Bishop Tobin said the event was “not just a moment for the priests themselves who were honored but for all the priests in the diocese. It's a recognition that we have a team of wonderful priests in the diocese and not just a blessing for them, but for all people in diocese.”
“In the Cathedral tonight you could feel a sense of pride and joy when the new monsignors came into the Cathedral. Everyone erupted into spontaneous applause so people were very excited and very proud and our people love their priests,” the bishop said.
Msgr. Lolio remarked about the beauty of the prayer service.
"It is a great honor not just for us but for the whole church,” he added. “The service was very moving.”
Bishop Tobin expressed how grateful and proud he was of the honorees and reminded them that being a monsignor is a call to deeper service in the Church.
"I am very humbled by this honor,” Msgr. Iacovacci emphasized. “I want to share this honor with St. Peter’s Parish. I enjoy being there and being part of St. Peter's."
Msgr. Connerton noted that the most moving gesture of the evening for him was the rousing applause extended to the new monsignors from brother priests.
“They certainly are heedful of St. Paul's mandate to ‘rejoice with those who rejoice,’” he said. “The liturgy was beautifully crafted and prayerful.”
Msgr. Simeone, pastor at St. Anthony's Parish in Woonsocket stated that he was overwhelmed by the turnout of support by lay people and his brother priests.
“This is a joy-filled moment,” he said. “I am grateful to the Holy Father and to Bishop Tobin.”
Msgr. Sheahan agreed.
“It was just a great evening for the diocese,” he said, smiling. “All the priests share in this honor.”
Msgr. Anthony Mancini, director of the Gregorian Concert Choir, said “my chorus was leading the cheer and they are a homegrown group.
He added, “Being a priest is important and this is a shot in the arm. To be honored by the Holy Father — now I have to do more and not less. The big thing we have to do is to attract young men to the priesthood.”
Spreading the Gospel to the Portuguese-American community brings joy to Msgr. Victor M. Vieira. "There are a great number of priests, and Portuguese people here, and as a matter of fact it was suggested by friends of mine to come here. In the beginning when I came, I was waiting to go back to Timor."
Msgr. Vieira, who was ordained in 1967 in the Azores, fled Timor in 1976 following the withdrawal of the Portuguese government and an Indonesian invasion in southeast Asia.
"St. Francis is a big parish and one thing I’d like to see some day is a couple of future priests coming from the parish, that's really my great goal. To have seminarians or students from the parish, boys becoming priests from my parish,” Msgr. Vieira said.
Msgr. Raymond B. Bastia said “it was special to be honored this day and I believe this is an opportunity for all priests in the diocese, because of the type of service they take forth and this is an opportunity to rededicate themselves to the work we do as priests.
“I will continue to work with the bishop on various committees in the chancery for continued growth and the well-being of the diocese in these difficult times,” Msgr. Bastia said.
Msgr. Halloran noted that is has been a privilege to minister to God’s people in the diocese.
“I’m just honored that I have been able to serve as a priest in the diocese for so many years,” he said. “I pray that the spirit of God’s love may always be present in the hearts of the people of the diocese.”
Msgr. Sabourin recalled that when he first received news of the papal honor last year, he asked, “Why me?’
After much prayer and reflection, he realized that the papal honor was one of the many graces that God has bestowed on him throughout his priesthood.
“It has nothing to do with me,” he said. “God wants me to do something for the people whom I serve.” He wants something to happen.”
