Installation and Night of Prayer

The Cathedral of St. Francis de Sales in Houma was standing room only on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, for the episcopal installation of Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.

Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States and papal representative; Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond of New Orleans, installing bishop; two cardinals, five archbishops, 26 bishops, one abbot, approximately 100 clergy, which included priests of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., priest friends of Bishop Dorsonville, deacons, religious, diocesan staff, personal friends of the bishop, and faithful from throughout the diocese were in attendance to witness the installation. An overflow crowd viewed the installation on a projection screen at the Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center in Houma via livestream. The Mass can be viewed here: https://youtube.com/live/gyPxC1w3aEc.

Lonnie Thibodeaux, director of media and public relations for the Office of the Bishop, welcomed those present explaining that “as successors of the apostles, bishops inherit the mission given to the original apostles by Jesus Christ to teach all nations and preach the Gospel to every creature. Bishops are placed in charge of dioceses to shepherd that portion of the Lord’s flock that is entrusted to their care.”

Thibodeaux expressed gratitude to the Very Rev. Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden, for his leadership during the past year as diocesan administrator and prayed that the Lord will endow Bishop Dorsonville with the spiritual gifts needed to fulfill his role as chief shepherd of our diocese.

Part of the Installation Rite, where the new bishop is introduced into his new cathedral took place prior to the Mass. This moment symbolizes the bishop’s official arrival at the church. Bishop Dorsonville knocked on the front door of the cathedral with a small gold plated hammer, a gift from his father when he was 15 years old. The bishop was greeted by Very Rev. Joshua Rodrigue, S.T.L., past rector, and the cathedral parish pastoral council. Very Rev. Rodrigue presented the bishop with a crucifix, which he kissed and then blessed the people gathered there. Afterwards, Bishop Dorsonville was escorted to the tabernacle to offer a brief prayer before the Mass of Installation.

After the entrance procession, Archbishop Aymond greeted those in attendance. The Rite of Installation began with the reading of the Apostolic Letter by Archbishop Pierre, who then questioned Bishop Dorsonville regarding his willingness to accept the pastoral care of the people of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. The Apostolic Letter was inspected by the College of Consultors and shown to the people present. The letter was then given to Very Rev. Eric Leyble, judicial vicar, for archiving.

The apostolic nuncio and Archbishop Aymond escorted Bishop Dorsonville to the cathedra, the chair from which the bishop exercises his role as teacher of the church. The bishop’s chair is the most ancient symbol of episcopal ministry, signifying the oneness of the people of a diocese with their bishop. Archbishop Aymond presented the crozier to Bishop Dorsonville and he was seated in the cathedra to a roaring round of applause.

The newly installed bishop was then greeted by members of the faithful, representatives of the civil authorities, and ecumenical representatives, who each offered to him some sign of obedience and reverence.

Bishop Dorsonville began his homily by saying how grateful he is for everyone’s kindness in welcoming him to Louisiana and he expressed his gratitude to everyone who was present. He thanked Archbishop Gregory Aymond and Archbishop Christophe Pierre for their guidance during his transition; Cardinals Wilton Gregory and Donald Wuerl for being there for him while he was in the Archdiocese of Washington, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre of Louisville, KY, for handing him the beautiful Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and Father Patrick J. (P.J.) Madden for his faithful service as apostolic administrator since April 2022.

“When I learned that the Holy Father had named me bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, I realized that a new chapter of my life had begun, knowing that the book gets better as the chapters go on. Therefore, I put my trust in Jesus Christ, because whenever he gives us a mission, he also gives us the strength to carry it out,” said Bishop Dorsonville.

He went on to say that “a bishop is a shepherd who follows Christ, the Good Shepherd, and leads others to him by word and example of life.” Speaking directly to the presbyterate of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, he said, “As your new shepherd, know that I am close to you in prayer and in my heart, and it is my desire to listen to you and to get to know you. This way we realize that a shepherd who knows the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows of his priests and the people of his diocese, is a shepherd who sees the face of Jesus Christ in the face of every person in the path we walk together. For this reason, one of the main devotions of my priestly life has been to build up the dignity of the human person, by loving the poor and creating opportunities for each person.”

Bishop Dorsonville concluded his homily by asking those present to always keep him in their prayers and know that from now on they are in his prayers. He then quoted Saint John Paul II about new chapters in our lives. “Let us,” said Saint John Paul II, “remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence.”

The Houma-Thibodaux Diocesan Choir provided music for the celebration, under the direction of Dr. John St. Marie, assistant professor of Music and director of Choral Activities at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux. The choir consisted of members from the Nicholls Chamber Choir, Omaggio Community Choir, St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Choir, and many members of other churches in the diocese. Kim Champagne was cantor. Organist David Summers, from St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Baton Rouge, was accompanied by a brass quartet and a string quartet from the Houma-Thibodaux area. The Gospel Choirs from St. Lucy Church in Houma and St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Thibodaux also presented a musical selection during the Mass.

Following the installation, hundreds of people gathered at the Barry P. Bonvillain Civic Center for a reception to meet and congratulate the new bishop of Houma-Thibodaux.
 

On the Monday evening before the installation of Bishop Dorsonvillle as the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, the faithful gathered for a Night of Prayer at St. Joseph Co-Cathedral in Thibodaux, which consisted of Mass, followed by benediction and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.

In his homily, Bishop Dorsonville told those present that he was grateful for his appointment as bishop in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and that the faithful will find in him a bishop who is not about himself, but about his flock … his people. He said that the diocese is blessed with a wonderful presbyterate and deacons, but that we need more vocations. “We need shepherds who care about their flock … shepherds who smell like their sheep,” he said.

The St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Choir provided music for the service. Afterwards, a reception sponsored by the Catholic Foundation of South Louisiana was held at the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center in Thibodaux, where Bishop Dorsonville greeted and blessed many guests.