What a magnificent and glorious Mass it was, and solemn and uplifting. Holy Rosary Cathedral in downtown Vancouver was filled to capacity, but with only a small fraction of the people that wanted to attend if space had allowed. Before the Eucharistic Liturgy began and after it had concluded participants could not help but be captivated by the seemingly endless stream of servers, seminarians, deacons, priests and bishops that flowed by in white vestments. The solemnity, the ritual and the obvious care and precision shown at every moment – emphasized the reality that the command of the Son of God at the Last Supper was being carried out in the very midst of those gathered. “Do this in memory of me” (Luke 22:19-20)
The reason for this Farewell Mass was the main celebrant, the shepherd of the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Vancouver and the four suffragan dioceses, retiring Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB. It was an opportunity for Archbishop Miller to pray one last time with the people he loved and served. This was to be his last public Mass in what was his cathedral church. He also took the opportunity to celebrate his 50th Anniversary of Priestly ordination which will actually take place after he is gone – 29th June, on the Feast of the Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul. He was ordained fifty years ago at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by the laying-on-of-hands of Pope St. Paul VI.
In his homily, Archbishop Miller spoke about his personal life journey, but really spoke about vocations to priestly ministry and dedicating one’s life to serving the Church of Christ. He spoke of his love and admiration and gratitude that he felt for the people he served over the last eighteen years as coadjutor and then Archbishop of Vancouver. He asked everyone to add a prayer for him as he now moves on to continue his journey with the Lord. After the clergy exited the great doors of the majestic 125-year-old Cathedral, the Archbishop remained behind at the entrance – greeting and bidding farewell to everyone who approached him.
Our Bishop Michael Kwiatkowski, was among the bishops and other clergy who attended. Although he is relatively new himself to the west coast, he wanted to be there to express his gratitude to the good Archbishop who has shown such magnanimity and kindness to the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of New Westminster by opening his churches and rectories to the needs of the Ukrainian community – especially since the outbreak of Russia’s 2022 brutal invasion that brought thousands of refugees to British Columbia. His kindness and that of his brother bishops and faithful, is much appreciated by the Ukrainian community and will never be forgotten.
Farewell Archbishop Michael! May our loving Lord richly reward you and grant you yet many more joy-filled and successful years upon this earth and onto life everlasting!
