Metuchen welcomes its sixth shepherd
The people of Metuchen were overjoyed to welcome the Most Reverend Michael Arsenio Saporito as their sixth Bishop during an installation Mass held on Oct. 22 in Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield. Representatives from parishes, schools, religious, lay and civil organizations were joined by clergy and civil dignitaries from throughout the state and beyond to witness the newest shepherd of the central New Jersey diocese.
Steeped in beauty and symbolism, the reception of the Bishop Designate began with his knock on the center door of the church. It was opened from within by Father Jonathan S. Toborowsky, diocesan administrator; Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector, and Father Edmund A. Luciano, pastor of the host parish, on behalf of the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese. Father Toborowsky presented Bishop-Designate Saporito with a crucifix resting upon a pillow to reverence, then he sprinkled holy water on those in the narthex. Numerous bishops of New Jersey joined other clergy in the procession, including Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M. of Trenton; Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney of Paterson; Bishop Joseph A. Williams of Camden, and Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark.
His Excellency the Most Reverend Gabriele Giordano Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, read the papal mandate from Pope Leo XIV naming Bishop Saporito the spiritual head of the Metuchen Diocese. Archbishop Caccia noted that the Mass coincided with the feast day of St. Pope John Paul II, who established the Diocese 45 years ago.
Bishop Saporito, smiling broadly, presented the mandate to the Diocesan College of Consultors, then, holding it aloft, walked throughout the church so that the faithful might see the Pope’s declaration up close. The bishops in the sanctuary extended a sign of peace, then Archbishop Caccia and Cardinal Tobin presented the new Bishop of Metuchen his cathedra and crozier.
Bishop Saporito began his homily recalling the advice by St. Pope John Paul II at his Oct. 22, 1978, inaugural Mass in St. Peter’s Square: Do not be afraid. Open wide the doors to Christ. The bishop’s own motto was inspired by the Gospel of John wherein Jesus had eaten breakfast with them and told them: Feed My Sheep.
Meal, Mercy, and Mission
“Our mission together in proclaiming the Good News … allows us to focus on three things: the meal, the mercy, and the mission,” said the bishop. “Jesus used meals as places of encounter with others, he shared food and opened his heart, [and] here the word is proclaimed.” The meal, or Eucharist “fills our hearts and lives, joins us as one family, takes what we have received and offers it to the world… Jesus sought to touch people’s hearts, and so must we.”
Mercy, the Bishop continued, “frees us from shackles of our own sins. During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, my own sense of mercy expanded. We come to Jesus in distress, profound suffering, brokenness, and misery, and he offers freedom and redemption regardless of the baggage. I often picture the gaze of Jesus at Peter; that’s why the song is entitled ‘Amazing Grace’: he lets yesterday go so we can embrace tomorrow with joy. We are not perfect, but all can stand tall by his grace.”
Bishop Saporito cautioned the congregation not to simply fulfill the bare minimums of their faith, but rather to embrace the mission of holiness. “Purpose ignites a passion and a hope within us, for living and meaning and purpose all of our days. We know a better way, let’s show others what we know, let’s lead others to what we know.”
He continued, “It is not enough for us to simply maintain what we have, we must have a heart that aches for those who are missing… Become a Church that does not wait for people to find us, but we should risk leaving the shores of own comfort and seek out the missing. The mission of the Church must go beyond those already here.”
His voice rising in volume and intensity, Bishop Saporito issued a challenge to his new flock. Referring to his new ceremonial chair, or cathedra, he admitted, “Today I sit in a chair that is not mine to keep, but mine to steward, after the command of Christ for a time. Let us take advantage of it together.
“My new sisters and brothers of Metuchen, let us set out together to be a people of the Eucharist, a people of Mercy and a people on a mission,” he concluded. “The waiting is over, and responding to the call now begins. Let us not be afraid, let us open wide the doors to Christ. Amen?” he asked them.
They answered with a loud, fervent, “AMEN!!” and resounding applause.
This article was written by Christina Leslie. It appears in the Metuchen Diocese’s October special supplement, “With Open Hearts,” welcoming Bishop Saporito as their new shepherd.
Featured image: Bishop Michael A. Saporito presents his mandate as Bishop of the Diocese of Metuchen to the people of his new diocese during his installation Mass on Oct. 22 at Sacred Heart Parish in South Plainfield, NJ. (Photo by Hall Brown Photography)
