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Easter joy continues to flood our hearts, as we near the great feasts of Ascension and Pentecost. At Mass today, we see in our first reading Peter deferring to Our Lord as the author of the miracles Peter is allowed to perform. Peter marvels at the Holy Spirit filling the Gentile listeners, and the psalm repeats, “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.” St. John tells us to love one another, that “everyone who loves is begotten by God.” The beloved apostle continues in his gospel narrative of Our Lord before his Passion, telling his disciples, “This I command you: love one another.”

Introduction The ultimate decision in appointing bishops rests with the pope, and he is free to select anyone he chooses. But how does he know whom to select? The process for selecting candidates for the episcopacy normally begins at the diocesan level and works its way through a series of consultations until it reaches Rome. It is a process bound by strict confidentiality and involves a number of important players – the most influential being the apostolic nuncio, the Congregation for Bishops, and the pope. It can be a time-consuming process, often taking eight months or more to complete. While there are distinctions between the first appointment of a priest as a bishop and a bishop's later transfer to another diocese or his promotion to archbishop, the basic outlines of the process remain the same. Key Terms Apostolic Nuncio The pope's representative to both the government and to the hierarchy of a given nation; a key person in deciding what names are recommended to the Congregation for Bishops for possible episcopal appointment. Auxiliary Bishop A bishop appointed to assist a diocesan bishop. Whether in a diocese or archdiocese, his title is bishop. Coadjutor A bishop appointed to a Catholic diocese or archdiocese to assist the diocesan bishop. Unlike an auxiliary bishop, he has the right of succession, meaning that he automatically becomes the new bishop when the diocesan bishop retires or dies. By canon law, he is also vicar general of the diocese. If the diocese is an archdiocese, he is called coadjutor archbishop instead of coadjutor bishop. In recent years, a growing number of U.S. bishops in larger dioceses or archdioceses have requested and received a coadjutor in their final year or two before their retirement, in order to familiarize their successor with the workings of the (arch)diocese before he has to take over the reins. This minimizes the learning curve of a new bishop and eliminates completely the possibility of the diocese being vacant following the old bishop’s retirement. Congregation for Bishops A department of the Roman Curia, headed by a Cardinal. The head of the Congregation, called the "prefect," is presently S.E. Mons. Robert Francis Prevost, O.S.A.. Among the congregation's responsibilities are moderating all aspects of episcopal appointments; assisting bishops in the correct exercise of their pastoral functions; handling ad limina visits (regular visits to Rome by bishops every five years); and establishing episcopal conferences and reviewing their decrees as required by canon law. Its membership consists of approximately 35 cardinals and archbishops from around the world. Diocesan Bishop Pastoral and legal head and representative of a diocese. Province A territory comprising one archdiocese, called the metropolitan see, and one or more dioceses, called suffragan sees. The Code of Canon Law spells out certain limited obligations and authority that the metropolitan archbishop has with respect to the dioceses within his province. The United States is divided into 33 ecclesiastical provinces. Terna A list of three candidates for a vacant office, including the office of bishop. Stage 1: Bishops' Recommendations Every bishop may submit to the archbishop of his province the names of priests he thinks would make good bishops. Prior to the regular province meeting (usually annually), the archbishop distributes to all the bishops of the province the names and curricula vitae of priests which have been submitted to him. Following a discussion among the bishops at the province meeting, a vote is taken on which names to recommend. The number of names on this provincial list may vary. The vote tally, together with the minutes of the meeting, is then forwarded by the archbishop to the apostolic nuncio in Washington. The list is also submitted to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Stage 2: The Apostolic Nuncio By overseeing the final list of names forwarded to Rome, the apostolic nuncio plays a decisive role in the selection process. He not only gathers facts and information about potential candidates, but also interprets that information for the Congregation. Great weight is given to the nuncio's recommendations, but it is important to remember that his "gatekeeper" role, however, does not mean that his recommendations are always followed. For Diocesan Bishops • After receiving the list of candidates forwarded by a province, the apostolic nuncio conducts his own investigation into the suitability of the candidates. • A report is requested from the current bishop or the administrator of a diocese on the conditions and needs of the diocese. If the appointment is a replacement for a diocesan bishop or archbishop about to retire, consideration will be given to the incumbent's recommendations. Broad consultation within the diocese is encouraged with regard to the needs of the diocese, but not the names of candidates. • The report is to include the names of individuals in the diocese with whom the Nuncio might consult and how to contact them. • Previous bishops of the diocese are consulted. • Bishops of the province are consulted • The president and vice president of the USCCB are consulted. • If the vacancy to be filled is an archdiocese, other archbishops in the United States may be consulted. • At this point, the nuncio narrows his list and a questionnaire is sent to 20 or 30 people who know each of the candidates for their input. • All material is collected and reviewed by the nuncio, and a report (approximately 20 pages) is prepared. Three candidates are listed alphabetically – the terna – with the nuncio's preference noted. All materials are then forwarded to the Congregation for Bishops in Rome. For Auxiliary Bishops • A diocesan bishop must justify to the apostolic nuncio his need for an auxiliary bishop. This is easier if he is requesting a replacement for a retired or deceased auxiliary. • The diocesan bishop prepares the terna, or list of three candidates, for his requested auxiliary and forwards it to the apostolic nuncio. • The nuncio then conducts his own investigation of the priests on the diocesan bishop's terna, sending the names to Rome with a report and his own recommendations. • On average, this part of the process may take two to six months. • Stage 3: Congregation for BishopsOnce all the documentation from the nuncio is complete and in order, and the prefect approves, the process moves forward. If the appointment involves a bishop who is being promoted or transferred, the matter may be handled by the prefect and the staff. If, however, the appointment is of a priest to the episcopacy, the full congregation is ordinarily involved. A cardinal relator is chosen to summarize the documentation and make a report to the full congregation, which generally meets twice a month on Thursdays. After hearing the cardinal relator's report, the congregation discusses the appointment and then votes. The Congregation may follow the recommendation of the nuncio, chose another of the candidates on the terna, or even ask that another terna be prepared. Stage 4: The Pope Decides At a private audience with the pope, usually on a Saturday, the prefect of the Congregation for Bishops presents the recommendations of the Congregation to the Holy Father. A few days later, the pope informs the Congregation of his decision. The Congregation then notifies the nuncio, who in turn contacts the candidate and asks if he will accept. If the answer is "yes," the Vatican is notified and a date is set for the announcement. It often takes six to eight months—and sometimes longer—from the time a diocese becomes vacant until a new bishop is appointed.

We hear in the first reading how Saul, later Paul, is beginning his ministry and “spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.” The Psalmist overflows with praise for the Lord:” All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord”. In his first epistle, St. John repeats the priceless teaching, “love one another as he commanded us.” Finally, in today’s Gospel, Christ declares that He is the vine, and we are the branches, and admonishes us to cling close to Him as the giver of our life. He promises great rewards: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you.”

We draw another lesson from Peter’s healing the crippled man, when the Prince of the Apostles tells the crowd, “the stone rejected by you, the builders, has become the cornerstone. . . Nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” The same words echo in the Psalm, as well as other familiar refrains, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good”. The stirring words of St. John bring great comfort in the second reading: “Beloved, we are God’s children now.” In John’s Gospel, Our Lord describes Himself as the shepherd who protects His sheep against predators who would destroy them. We, the sheep, hear His voice and follow Him. He knows us, too, as we know and trust Him, and as He knows the Father. Christ promises to bring into the fold those sheep who do not yet know Him. He has laid down His life, He tells us, and taken it up again. He continues, saying how He and the Father are bound together.

The Easter season readings often repeat readings from daily Masses. The first reading today again takes up the words of Peter as he holds forth with great eloquence after Pentecost: “the Author of life you put to death,” he castigates the listeners. The Psalmist asserts his innocent hope and trust in the Lord: “As soon as I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep”. St. John raises our hope for redemption: “but if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one.” Luke’s Gospel tells the next chapter, a familiar one, in the disciples on the road to Emmaus. After they astound the apostles, Jesus appears to them, and they all take fright, until he calms them with good sense, and later, with the lessons from Scripture.

The inspiration of the Resurrection makes the early Church “one heart and mind, and no one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had everything in common.” The Psalm continues to sing extravagant praise of Our Lord. We hear more stirring eloquence from St. John, “For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments.” Finally, we listen to the story of St. Thomas and his humble proclamation, “My Lord and My God”.

Monday's Mass for the Solemnity of the Annunciation is at 9:00 AM, to try to avoid the difficulty of traveling to the Cathedral at noontime when there will be nearby street closings and heavy traffic connected to the solar eclipse. There will be no 12:05 PM Mass or 11:30 AM Confessions. This year, the Annunciation celebration is moved outside of Holy Week and the Easter Octave to Monday, April 8.

This year, the date of this grand feast day, March 25, occurred within Holy Week, and therefore, is moved to the first Monday after the Easter Octave. Today we mark the magnificent entry of God into human life and time, the conception of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit, in the womb of the lowly Virgin Mary.  Conceived without sin, Mary bowed her head to the will of God, and accepted the sword of suffering, and the joys and glory that awaited her as Mother of Our Lord.  We are told of important parallels with Eve and her yielding to temptation by the fallen angel Lucifer in the garden of Eden.  There, some accounts say, a woman spoke with an angel and erred.  Today, another woman spoke with an angel and pronounced the great saving, “Yes,” to God’s will, countering Eve’s terrible “No,” to obeying God.  

The Light of the World group at Christ the King-St. Anthony Parish will lead the Rosary during the hour and a half Divine Mercy devotions this Sunday, April 7, from 1:30 to 3:00 PM. Priests including Father Dwight Baker and Father Tim Naples will hear Confessions, and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for Adoration.

Octave of Easter spans eight days starting on Easter Sunday and ending the Second Sunday of Easter, which is also Divine Mercy Sunday. Every day of the Octave is a Solemnity, the Church’s highest feast day. We light the tall, white, decorated Pascal candle. We sing the Gloria, hear a special Easter Alleluia verse, and may recite the Easter Sequence before the Gospel. The priest uses an Easter preface. We also repeat “Alleluia” after we say the final “Thanks be to God” at the end of Mass. The priest’s vestments are white or gold, for both the Octave and the Easter season.

This first Saturday after Easter Sunday, at Mass we hear readings that recount belief and unbelief. Peter challenges authorities who wish him to stop proclaiming Jesus, telling them “It is impossible for us not to speak”. The Psalmist will declare the works of the Lord. Faith, however, falters in the Easter morning story when Mary Magdalene astonishes the apostles with her witness to the risen Jesus, and they doubt her words. Our Lord later “rebuked them for their unbelief.”

Another astounding chapter of the Easter story unfolds in today's readings. We continue the account of Peter and John and the crippled man they healed. This time, Peter, who cowered and raged against his allegiance to Jesus after His arrest on Holy Thursday, now submits to custody by the temple guards, and undaunted, pursues his evangelizing, "filled with the Holy Spirit." Psalm 118 abounds with praise for God. We listen eagerly to the familiar recital of Peter and some other disciples returning to their fishing business, and again, drawn completely out of their mundane activity by the appearance of Jesus on the lake shore, who invites them to eat with him. The Optional Memorial of St. Vincent Ferrer is superseded today by the Easter Octave Solemnity.

Our incredible story continues with new chapters of the events after the Resurrection. Peter has healed a crippled man and takes this opportunity to proclaim Christ and instruct the people at the temple in Jerusalem. Yes, he chastises them for their rejection of the Christ and His death at their hands, but he offers them solace: "Repent, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be wiped away, and the Lord may grant you times of refreshment and send you the Christ already appointed for you." The Psalmist extols the glory of God. Our Gospel bring us the cherished story of Jesus appearing to his apostles , and calming their fears about His presence: "Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself." It is so like our dear Lord to understand our human fears and condescend to allay them. Today is the feast day of Saint Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church, whose Optional Memorial is superseded by the weekday Solemnity of the Easter Octave.

Today, we hear of Peter's miracle healing of the crippled man - this apostle whose faith seemed to weak that he denied his Savior three times, now brings forth the power of his allegiance to the Lord and restores this man's strength to walk. Our joy grows and spreads, with the Psalmist's words, "Rejoice O Hearts that Seek the Lord." Our Gospel gives us the endearing story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, to whom Our Lord drew near, taught them the story of salvation, and broke bread with them.

Wonder and awe fill today's Mass prayers and readings. We are given the "water of wisdom to drink"; the Jewish people are "cut to the heart" by Peter's words on Pentecost; the Psalmist repeats his praise of the Lord over and over again, and we feel Mary Magdalene's anguish and then her dawning joy at the sight of Jesus and His pronouncing her name: "Mary!" Imagine the glorified Lord calling one's name. Today the Optional Memorial of St. Francis of Paola is superseded by the Easter Octave Solemnity.

The solemn celebration of the resurrection of Our Lord goes on, with Monday the first weekday of eight solemnities. In many places, this Monday after Easter Sunday rings with new celebrations. Some faithful know this day as the Day of the Angel, because it was an angel who confirmed to the baffled humans, including the women at the tomb, that Jesus had risen. Our Mass readings show a majestic Saint Peter confidently proclaiming his Savior, our Psalm affirms our hope in the Lord, and our Gospel recounts the cherished story of Jesus meeting Mary Magdalene at the empty grave.