Getting A New Bishop - Part One

This afternoon after Mass I headed up to the See city of Steubenville to take part in the ordination and installation of the fifth bishop of our diocese. It's late, but I'd like to share some thoughts on everything that's happened so far.
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The first thing I took part in was a rehearsal for the seminarians and pontifical servers who will do a lot of the serving at tomorrow's Mass. Now, a rehearsal is a rehearsal - they're not exciting; but it's an attention to details before a big event like this that makes it come across as effortless when you actually do it.
This is definitely the biggest event I've ever seen in our diocese - it's probably the largest Mass we've ever had - and that takes work. A committee has been working for months to complete the seemingly endless list of tasks it takes to pull off something like this. I have a relatively simple job compared to what some of our priests and diocesan staff have taken on for this event.
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The first real event of the ordination festivities was a dinner for all the priests of the diocese as well as some of the bishop-elect's special guests. It was nice to talk to some of the priests of our diocese as well as to meet priests from elsewhere.
The highlight, however, was hearing Bishop-elect Monforton speak for the first time. Everyone in the diocese who had met him kept saying what a great guy he seemed to be. I heard the same from people who had known him in Detroit. But hearing him for the first time just gave me a great sense of hope for our diocese. He spoke about the brotherhood he sees in the priesthood and how much he is looking forward to working with the priests of the diocese. He promised to pray for us.
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After dinner, all the priests and guests went down to Holy Name Cathedral for vespers. It was an event that was open to everyone - no ticket necessary - and lots of people came. The cathedral was full.
I took a few pictures of the "dignitaries" in the sacristy before one of the MCs asked me to act as one of Cardinal Miada's chaplains. It was a great privilege to be right in the sanctuary for vespers. Bishop Foys of Covington (and a son of our diocese) gave a fantastic homily, Archbishop Vigano blessed the miter, crozier, and ring.
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I spent some time at the reception after vespers, visiting with lots of people I know.

My feeing after these first parts of the "big show" is one of thankfulness that our little diocese has been blessed with a man who will be a great bishop.
I'm also excited to take part in the Mass of Ordination tomorrow. It's a historic moment for our diocese and one that makes present right in front of us the unbroken line of apostolic succession still alive and working in the Church. God is working.