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DINARDO-ROME Feb-20-2008 (430 words) With photos to come. xxxi
Texas cardinal takes possession of titular church in Rome
By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service
ROME (CNS) -- In the simplest of the rites associated with becoming a "prince of the church," Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston took possession of his titular church in Rome.
The cardinal was met at the door of Rome's St. Eusebius Church Feb. 20 by the pastor carrying a crucifix, an altar girl carrying holy water and a priest from the Vatican's office for liturgical ceremonies.
Although the ceremony was simple, it began with a bit of fluttering because the cardinal arrived early. He apologized, explaining that the driver assigned to him was just too good at dealing with Rome's traffic.
After kissing the crucifix, Cardinal DiNardo entered the church, sprinkling with holy water the 150 people who completely filled the little 13th-century building.
The parish youth choir, accompanied by guitars, led the singing as parishioners welcomed the cardinal. Seminarians from the Pontifical North American College in Rome, students from the Rome campus of the University of Dallas and employees of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See were also in attendance. Bishop Kevin W. Vann of Fort Worth and several U.S. priests working or studying in Rome concelebrated the evening Mass with the cardinal.
Father Gianfranco Martella, the pastor, welcomed Cardinal DiNardo and gave him a history and status report on the parish, which is located in a thriving old neighborhood populated by Italians and immigrants from around the world.
The evening's Gospel reading was about Jesus' disciples arguing over who was first among them and Jesus telling them, "Whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave."
In brief remarks in English during the Mass he celebrated in Italian, the cardinal said, "Isn't it a real punch for a cardinal to have a Gospel text where the two disciples ask for power and the others then get angry because they hadn't thought of it first?"
The Gospel speaks to all Christians, not just cardinals, he said, and reminds them that following Jesus means being the servant of all.
In his Italian-language homily, the cardinal told parishioners that by taking possession of the church "I celebrate Mass this evening as a member of the clergy of Rome," invoking the ancient tradition whereby the cardinals were priests of the city.
"With all my heart I renew my fidelity to the Catholic Church and my full union with the Petrine see as a member of the sacred college," he told them.
END
Copyright (c) 2008 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed.
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