Photo credit: Valaurian Waller/Detroit Catholic
The chief shepherd of Detroit – and also of the Michigan Area Order of Malta – celebrated his final public Mass as archbishop of Detroit at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament on Sunday, March 9.
Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, GCChC, has served the Archdiocese of Detroit as archbishop for 16 years. He is also principal chaplain of the Michigan Area Order of Malta and a steadfast supporter of the Area’s activities, including the annual Lourdes Pilgrimage. Archbishop Vigneron has related that, when he became bishop of Oakland, California (2003-2009), he was welcomed by members of the Order there. He was inspired to join the Order while in Lourdes, where he saw Malta members caring for malades.
The Mass at the Cathedral featured a procession with Michigan Area Dames and Knights. Also participating were members of the Knights of Columbus and the Knights and Ladies Auxiliary of Peter Claver.
Preaching on St. Luke’s Gospel account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, Archbishop Vigneron said that Jesus’ “No” to sin was also a “Yes” to the Father – a pattern for Christians. “I will let Jesus make His story my story; I will be a daughter of God, I will be a son of God after the pattern of the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ … Jesus’ strength becomes our strength. His goal – eternal life with the Father in glory – our goal,”
The archbishop continued, “For 17 Lents, for 16 years, I have been blessed to lead this local church in our fight against the evil one, our fight to be Christ’s instrument in order to rescue our world from the kingdom of darkness and make it part of the Kingdom of Light, where it belongs … I thank God for all that the Holy Spirit has accomplished through all of us, especially for our shared renewed commitment to respond to aspirations of the heart of Jesus, to bring the world back to his Father.”
Adding that there “is still so much to be done, still so much to be repented of,” Archbishop Vigneron said, quoting a favorite expression of Blessed Solanus Casey, “we ‘give God thanks ahead of time’ for the marvels that he will accomplish in the church of Detroit.”
At the conclusion of Mass, Rev. J.J. Mech, rector of the Cathedral, presented the archbishop with a ceramic tile from Detroit’s Pewabic Pottery, bearing Archbishop Vigneron’s coat of arms. On the back appear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).
Following Mass, a reception was held at Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
The installation Mass of Archbishop Vigneron’s successor, Archbishop-elect Edward J. Weisenburger, will be held on March 18. A delegation from the Michigan Area will attend the Mass.
- The complete video of the Mass may be viewed on the Archdiocese’s YouTube channel.
- In final public Mass, Archbishop Vigneron encourages Detroit: The mission goes on:
https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/in-final-public-mass-archbishop-vigneron-encourages-detroit-the-mission-goes-on - Archbishop Allen Vigneron celebrates final Mass after 16 years of leading Detroit Archdiocese:
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/religion/2025/03/09/vigneron-celebrates-final-mass-after-16-years-of-leading-detroit-archdiocese/81674039007/ - WDIV-4 News Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jjo8lD39CPo
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