Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk leads flock for quarter century

CATHEDRAL DEANERY - The Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains was filled to the brim with well-wishers, brother bishops and priests Dec. 16 for the liturgy celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk's quarter-century as Archbishop of Cincinnati. With elegant revelry provided by the Choir of St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, processions led by priests of the archdiocese, presidents of Catholic colleges and universities, knights and ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre and the Knights of the Order of Malta, the liturgy was held at 2:30 p.m., followed by a reception on the third floor of the Duke Energy Convention Center.

CT/TONY TRIBBLE

A joyful Archbishop Daniel E. Pilarczyk processes up the main aisle at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.

"I want to cast what I have to say in the light of gratitude, and I want to interpret what we celebrate today in the light not only of my gratitude, but in the light of yours as well," he said.

"Anniversary celebrations are not just for the jubilarian personally. Granted, anniversary celebrations are occasions for thanksgiving on the part of the jubilarian, but they are also occasions for thanksgiving on the part of all those who celebrate with him, thanksgiving for the circumstances and events in the life of the 'principal celebrant,' but also for the circumstances and events in the lives of all who 'con-celebrate' the anniversary. That's why I can now invite you all to be grateful with me, not just for the blessings I have experienced, but for your own as well.

"I am grateful for the context in which my life has unfolded. None of us can make it on our own, and the tenor and flavor of our lives depends to a great extent on those whose lives have intersected with our own. I remember my parents and my relatives. I remember the friends I made at school, in the seminary, in my graduate school years. I remember those I have served in my ministry, the priests I have lived with, the lay friends who have been so important in these many years, the employees I have worked with. I also remember those whose contact with my life was less positive, less pleasant: the people who were (or are) convinced that I am totally unsuited for the responsibilities I have been given, the people who write complaint mail. All of these, in some way or another, have contributed to my life and my ministry. They have provided the context, the ambiance, the atmosphere in which my life has unfolded. They have all been instruments of God's providence for me. And I am grateful.

"But I'm not the only one who has grown in a context. We all have. We can't be human without one. As I offer thanks for the context that God has provided for my life, I invite you to offer thanks for the context of yours.