In top photo, Bishop Saporito carries the papal mandate appointing him the new Bishop of Metuchen. Mark Lee photo
By Christina Leslie | Contributing Editor of The Catholic Spirit, Metuchen Diocesan newspaper
The people of the Metuchen Diocese were overjoyed to welcome Bishop Michael Arsenio Saporito as their sixth Bishop during an installation Mass held 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.
Bishop Saporito was installed by Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark and Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
VIDEO: Click here to view video of Bishop Saporito’s Mass of Installation
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, and Bishop Joseph A. Williams of Camden.
Archbishop Caccia 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 of St. 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, the chair and staff that symbolize the office of Bishop.
Bishop Saporito began his homily recalling the advice by 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.”
“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 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.
Congregants answered with a loud, fervent, “AMEN!!” and resounding applause.
In November, The Catholic Spirit, the Metuchen Diocesan newspaper, is preparing a special supplement, “With Open Hearts,” welcoming Bishop Saporito as their new shepherd.
