To the hundreds in attendance Jan. 15 at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica, and countless more live-streaming the evening Mass from their homes, Leo shared one of the takeaways since he was named Cardinal Dec. 7: “A deep call to share with others what the Lord has done for us.”
“How good the Lord has been to us,” he said as he welcomed “with great gratitude” the assembled bishops, clergy, laity, members of ecclesial communities, faithful of other denominations and more.
“He is the source of all that is needed.”
It’s a sentiment stressed by the evening’s Gospel reading from John 15: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
With his new role, Leo said he understands the need to lead by example, in being a “fearless witness” in communicating God’s goodness. He called on all Catholics to witness, unity, courage and fidelity, like so many who have gone before, in service of the Lord.
“We don’t have to be a cardinal to experience these,” he said.
In his homily, Leo related a number of examples of the inner strength to fulfil this ministry, from bishops and clergy who suffered under China’s communists for their faith, the 16 Carmelite nuns — “brides of Christ” — canonized just last month by Pope Francis who were executed under the French Revolution for their adherence to the faith, to St. Joseph, “a just man” who in his vocation “found happiness… in self-gift.”
Just as Leo and other cardinals are called to serve by their oath of fidelity “to act in courage even to the shedding of the blood” for their Church and God, so too were these martyrs, oppressed and ordinary Catholics, he said.
Their example, and countless others over the millennia, are what every Catholic should strive for, he said.
The past month has been “an occasion to reflect on the profound significance” of our faith and what it means to walk in service of God, Leo told those gathered, adding that “your presence, friendship and support are truly heartfelt.”
The solemn service was among four that will be celebrated in coming weeks and months across the four corners of the Archdiocese of Toronto. It brought numerous priests and fellow bishops from the Archdiocese together in celebration, including Leo’s predecessor, Cardinal Thomas Collins, who was among the concelebrants. Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, apostolic nuncio to Canada, was also on hand, and greetings were brought to Leo by St. Catharines’ Bishop Gerard Bergie on behalf of the Assembly of Catholic Bishops of Ontario.