Diocese of Dallas Celebrates New Catholic Bishop Edward J. Burns at Solemn Vespers and Installation

The Catholic Diocese of Dallas hosted two days of celebrations at Cathedral Guadalupe to welcome Bishop Edward J. Burns as the new Chief Shepherd of the diocese.

Solemn Vespers Service
Wednesday, February 8th - 7:00 PM

A Solemn Vespers Service was conducted on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located at 2215 Ross Avenue in Downtown Dallas, on the eve of the Installation of Bishop Edward J. Burns as the eighth bishop of Dallas.

The Solemn Vespers Service began at 7:00 p.m., with a symbolic knock on the Cathedral’s front doors by Bishop Burns. The doors were opened by Bishop Greg Kelly, who welcomed the new Chief Shepherd and lead the bishop into the sanctuary.  These two rituals of “knocking and welcoming” are part of the official religious process of “taking possession of the diocese” for a new bishop.

Catholics use psalms and canticles in sung prayer to remember God’s love and ask protection for the night to come, during Solemn Vespers.  Hundreds of priests, deacons and lay Catholics attended the Solemn Vespers Service at the Cathedral.  Among the musicians who participated are the A Cappella Choir from Bishop Lynch High School and the Holy Cross Catholic Church Choir, plus hand bell ringers from Prince of Peace Catholic Community.

Installation Mass
Thursday, February 9th - 2:00 PM

An overflow crowd was on hand as Bishop Edward J. Burns was installed as the eighth Bishop of Dallas at an Installation Mass on Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 2 p.m., at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, located at 2215 Ross Avenue in Downtown Dallas. Three cardinals, more than 50 Catholic bishops and several hundred priests and deacons from throughout Texas and the United States participated in the Mass that began with a solemn procession into the sanctuary.

Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller, M.Sp.S. of San Antonio, in the presence of Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio of the United States and the pope’s representative, presided at the Mass of Installation for Bishop Burns.  The Installation Mass included the reading of the Apostolic Mandate by Archbishop Pierre followed by the seating of Bishop Burns in the cathedra (bishop’s chair). Archbishop Garcia-Siller presented the crozier (staff) to the new Chief Shepherd and Bishop Burns delivered the homily (sermon).

Also during the Mass, Auxiliary Bishop Greg Kelly introduced representatives from the civic and faith communities

About Bishop Edward J. Burns

Bishop Burns comes to Dallas from the Diocese of Juneau, Alaska, where he has served as the bishop since 2009. Prior to that, the 59-year-old Pittsburgh, PA native served the Catholic Church on the national level as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Clergy, Consecrated Life and Vocations at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C. from 1999-2008. In 2008, he was named the Rector of St. Paul Seminary in Pittsburgh, PA. Prior to 1999, Bishop Burns served in parish ministry, diocesan administration and did extensive work in vocations.

Bishop Burns succeeds Cardinal Kevin J. Farrell, who left Dallas for Rome on October 1 after Pope Francis appointed him the Prefect of the new Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

Livestream of Installation

The Installation Mass Livestreamed can be viewed at https://livestream.com/dallascath/BishopBurns.