Yesterday, February 3, 2024, Reverend Cristiano Barbosa, native of Brazil, was ordained an Auxiliary Bishop for the Archdiocese of Boston, MA. In that capacity, he will be assisting the Archbishop of Boston, Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFMCap.

I was able to attend the ceremony as a Deacon. The day of ordination, I made it into Boston, in what I thought was plenty of time to vest and take up a position for the procession. Only I had the schedule mixed up, and I was just made into the deacon’s procession line by the skin of my teeth.

Now I have attended several ordinations in the Cathedral in my life as a Deacon. All were orderly, all liturgically beautiful. Yesterday was a new experience for me. As we processed into the Cathedral, we saw a congregation that was large, loud and joyful. People were crowded in the benches, the aisles, and any open spaces in the wings of the sanctuary. Brazilian Portuguese filled the air!

Now among some of my Anglo brethren, this may have been too much, not respecting the solemnity of the ceremony. The crowds did quiet down as Mass began, and when the ordination ceremony began. The energy, the excitement picked up again as the newly ordained Bishop walked around the cathedral, blessing the people.

Yes, these was a new experience for me, but I accepted it. I joined in the celebration in the way I knew, rejoicing in their celebration.

Ad Multos Annos, Bishop Cristiano Barbosa!