The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1951-current, 1958-02-14
Text of Sermon
By Bishop Issenmann

| stand before you TO-DAY
as the sixth Bishop of this
Diocese of Columbus with
only one fact that makes it
so the appointment by
Our Holy Father, Pope Plus XII,
successor to st. Peter and gfori-
ously reigning visible repre-
sentative of Christ Our Lord at
the head of His Church on earth.
Any other qualific ations,
which, from a purely human
may seem to fit me
to be your spiritual shepherd
and father in Christ in this
Church of Columbus, count as
naught before the official desig-
nation of our Holy Father, read
to us at the beginning of this
installation ceremony.
Without this document to
vouch for me, you would not re-
ceive me, despite any abilities
of body and mind ON my part.
any attainments of experience,
unnumbered recommendations
from the highest and the might
est. But | dare to come to you,
and you receive me as your spir-
itual leader in this Diocese, be-
cause this official Papal word
bespeaks the ultimate and final,
and indeed, the only mark of
apostolic ~genuinity, acceptable
to priests and people alike, that
their Bishop is sent to them by
the Pope of Rome, successor in
unbroken line during these 20
centuries to st. Peter, first Pope
and divinely appointed head of
His Church by Our Lord Him.
self: "Thou art Peter and
upon this rock l will build My
Church." upon whom rests also
the Divine command: Feed My
lambs, feed My sheep"
With this voice of Plus, which
is the voice of Peter, which is
the voice of Christ, speaking to
you in my behalf, you open your
arms to me, unquestionably and
without reserve, as your chief
spiritual father in this diocese;
rightfully you look to me to lead
you to our eternal home, as
Moses led the chosen people
safely through the desert wan
behring's towards the Promised
Land; and, with every one full
filling his own duty, you conf
IDENTIFY expect at the hands of
your Bishop and through the
ministry of his priests the safe
assurance of the supernatural
helps of divine religion, secured
for us by Our Lords r%edemptive
sufferings and death upon the
cross.
This preparing on earth for
eternity in heaven, this bring
ing of our souls back to God, is
the most important business of
our lives. Very simply the Cate
chism sums it up: To gain the
happiness of heaven we must
know, love, and serve God in
this world. This triple duty en-
braces the entire Christian way
OF life in faith, love and service.
We cannot know God unless we
are taught His truth. We cannot
love Him unless we have His
Grace in our souls. We cannot
serve Him unless we do His Will.
II is not a question Of what do l
think and wish to do, but what
God teaches and commands me
to live.
In the fullness of time God
sent His only begotten Son, the
Second Person OF the Most
Blessed Trinity, made man for
our sakes: "And the word was
made flesh and dwelt among
us" John 1, 14) that He might
complete the revelation of Gods
truth through the prophets Of
the Old Law, might redeem sim
full man unable to help himself,
and might point out again the
safe path to heaven. Our Lords
life and work among us is en-
bodied in this three-fold mis-
sion: Il am the way, and the
truth, and the life" Uohn IA, g..
ruler, teacher, sanctifier.
He Is Truth incarnate; He
teaches the things of God: "Now
this Is everlasting life, that they
may know thee, the only true
God, and him whom thou has
sent" (John II. 81.
He makes us holy. He gives
life to the created image of God
which we bear in our souls. Gas
the branch rannnf hoar fruit af