Monday, August 20, the eve of the ordination and installation of Msgr. Victor Galeone as ninth Bishop of Saint Augustine was a day of hospitality and welcome that included a luncheon and vespers (evening prayer) followed by a reception in the Cathedral-Basilica courtyard.

“When you have guests in your home, you want to welcome them, make them feel comfortable, introduce them to those in your home and offer them some sustenance,” said Father Tim Lindenfelser, associate pastor at the Cathedral-Basilica and a master of ceremonies at vespers.

The theme of hospitality is often mentioned in the Bible and the welcoming rituals that initiated the Monday vespers illustrate some of the greetings and symbols given to a new bishop on the eve of his installation as the new spiritual shepherd.

Hospitality and its importance are mentioned several times in the Old Testament. Abraham, for example, pleaded with his guests to let him wash their feet and prepare a meal for them. The theme is often seen in the New Testament as well. Paul wrote to the Romans urging them: “Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality.”

Then before vespers, Bishop-elect Galeone was welcomed and given the keys to his church, the Cathedral-Basilica. “It is his church because it is the seat of the Diocese of Saint Augustine,” said Father Lindenfelser.

Bishop Galeone stood on the sidewalk outside the Cathedral-Basilica and knocked on its large red doors. The custom of knocking on the door to seek entry is one that has developed in different parts of the world as part of the ceremony of a new bishop receiving his new church, Father Lindenfelser said.

The door was opened and he was welcomed, with prayers, by Bishop John J. Snyder. A crucifix was offered to him by Bishop Snyder, which he kissed — a sign of his love of and supplication to the Redeemer.

Father D. Terrence Morgan, pastor of the Cathedral-Basilica, then presented the new bishop a large gold key. “The key was given to him because as bishop he is the chief pastor of the diocese,” Father Lindenfelser said. “Father Morgan is the pastor of the Cathedral Parish. But because the Cathedral is the seat of the diocese, the Cathedral is the bishop’s church.”

Father Lindenfelser added, “The key also symbolizes that the bishop has the key to our hearts because the Cathedral represents the whole diocese. The key also reminds us that the bishop is a successor to the apostles.”



Following the procession to the altar, Bishop Galeone was then individually greeted and welcomed by more than 50 representatives of the clergy, religious and laity who represented many of the parishes and ministries in the diocese.

Because Bishop Galeone had not yet been ordained bishop, Bishop Snyder sat in the cathedra, or the bishop’s chair. It would be one of the last times that Bishop Snyder would sit in the bishop’s chair as the head of the diocese.

Vespers, which is Latin for evening, came to mean evening star, evening meal and eventually evening prayer. It is a time to praise, give thanks, commemorate Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary and merciful Redemption, and plead our intercessions.

Thus, the evening hymn began and the Cathedral Choir sang praise:
O radiant light, O Sun divine Of God the Father’s deathless face, O image of the Light sublime — That fills the heavenly dwelling place.

At this evening prayer, it was also a time to thank God and pray for Bishop-elect Galeone on the eve of his ordination and to give thanks for the pastoral care and ministry of Bishop Snyder.

Vespers rituals are drawn from the time before Christ when at the Temple in Jerusalem incense was offered at the evening sacrifice. (Vespers was modified early in church history, but since the 6th century it has been one of the two main hours of the Office, or The Liturgy of the Hours.)

Incense was lit by Bishop Snyder and the choir and congregation sang Psalm 141, the Incense Psalm.

“My prayers rise like incense, my hand like evening offering.”

Bishop Snyder also blessed the new bishop’s episcopal insignia, including: the ring, a sign of fidelity; the miter, a sign of the power of the Holy Spirit; and pastoral staff, a sign of care and vigilance.

Incidentally, on the morning of his ordination and installation, Bishop-elect Galone, during a quiet moment in the bishop’s chapel at the Cathedral-Basilica rectory, made the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelity before the Most Rev. Gabriel Montalvo, apostolic nuncio, said Father Keith Brennan, chancellor of the diocese.

At vespers Bishop-elect Galeone also gave a homily, including an explanation of why he chose his episcopal motto, Love, Joy, Peace, (from Galatians 5:22). It was also an opportunity for him to reveal a little of himself, tell of his love for Christ and share some of the sources of his inspiration with his new flock.

One source has been Mother Teresa. He related that, “A reporter asked Mother Teresa during a news conference: ‘Mother, how does it feel to be considered a living saint?’ Mother Teresa paused for a moment and then replied: ‘Holiness is not just for a select few — it’s for everyone. You, sir, are called to be holy in your state in life, just as I am called to be holy in my state in life.’ Then she concluded: ‘Holiness is nothing more than doing God’s will — with a smile.’”

“It is my prayer this evening,” Bishop-elect Galeone said, “that you and I will always have that love, joy and peace in our hearts that comes from doing God’s will — with a smile.”

Bishop Galeone said his comments were also inspired, in part, from Psalm 119 that repeats the refrains “To do your will is my delight.” and “Your law is my delight.”

It was also with delight that members of the diocese — laity, religious and his brothers in the clergy — extended their hospitality and welcomed our new bishop throughout the eve of his ordination.

Click here for Bishop Galone’s homily from Vespers.