I came back from Rome just a few weeks ago, after receiving from the hands of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, the archbishop’s pallium, a vestment made of lamb’s wool. The pallium, after resting for some time on the tomb of St. Peter, was imposed on my shoulders by the pope as a symbol of the mission that God has entrusted to us archbishops, to watch over the flock of Christ.
    The generous faithful of San Antonio who accompanied me and Auxiliary Bishop Patrick J. Zurek to Rome, experienced the greatness and the beauty of our church. We, along with 31 archbishops from around the world, were part of a real celebration of catholicity, that is, universality.
    During the ceremony, Pope Benedict reminded me and my brother archbishops of the responsibility that weighs upon the shoulders of the shepherds of the church. He emphasized that the mission of every bishop and priest is to serve the people of God by guiding them to eternal happiness and salvation, through the path shown by Jesus Christ.

    Upon my return to Texas, the death of Bishop Joseph P. Delaney of the Diocese of Fort Worth gave me the occasion to continue reflecting about the office and mission of the bishops in the church. On July 13, I presided over the episcopal ordination of Bishop Delaney’s successor, the Most Rev. Kevin Vann. It was a joyful blessing in my ministry as archbishop, ordaining a successor of the apostles to be a good shepherd for the people of the Diocese of Fort Worth.
    During the homily I reminded all those present that we were not ordaining a new “high official” of the church, nor imposing “special honors” upon the new bishop. During that ceremony, and every time a bishop is ordained, a fragile and mortal man is accepting the great mission of becoming a successor of the apostles.
    Even St. Peter was afraid of such a mission, and that’s why he said to the Lord: “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!”
    It is natural to feel a certain fear when faced by the gravity of the mission of being a bishop. However, Jesus repeats to us the same words that he used to console St. Peter, the first pope, and the apostles: “Do not be afraid; come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

    Bishop Vann’s ordination was a paradoxical mix of feelings: joy for the ordination of a new successor of the apostles mixed with the pain for the sudden death of the local bishop, Bishop Delaney.
    Bishop Delaney, who had been fighting cancer, was very happy to receive a coadjutor bishop, that is, an auxiliary bishop appointed to succeed him after his retirement. Bishop Vann, who had served as a good pastor in Illinois, was hoping to grow and mature in his episcopal ministry by accompanying Bishop Delaney.
    But God had other plans.
    The morning of the day before the ordination, when most of the concelebrating bishops were on the way or already in Fort Worth, Bishop Delaney was suddenly called to the father’s house.
God decided, unexpectedly, to call a faithful shepherd to his presence, and also unexpectedly, to put upon the shoulders of another one, all the weight of the pastoral responsibility.
    It was impossible for me not to reflect about the goodness of the mission of the bishops, and at the same time, about our human frailty.

    As I reflect on the homily of Pope Benedict at the Mass of the imposition of the pallium, I am struck most by his message, that in order for me to reach the full meaning of my office and ministry, I need to find new ways to teach the Catholic faith in today’s world.
    This calling from the pontiff to all bishops and priests, reminds us that we are all united — and must remain united to the Holy Father and to the universal church.
    That means, for me, to be a good shepherd in the church, I must be a good teacher of the faith.
But I cannot fulfill this mission, brothers and sisters, without the constant help of Jesus, the high shepherd.
    For this reason I would like to ask all of you to pray for me and my brother San Antonio bishops, that we will be good shepherds for all of you.
    You can’t imagine how much we need your prayers, your support, your constant help.
    Be assured of our ongoing prayers for each one of you, your families and your personal needs.
    May God and Mary, our Blessed Mother, bless you always!