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 published: 2006-06-30

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Episcopal consecration in Sardinia –Mons. Dr. Ignacio Sanna, Archbishop of Oristano

 

Ordenación episcopal de Mons. Ignazio Sanna, 25 de junio de 2006

Mons. Ignazio Sanna is ordained bishop, June 25, 2006

Bischofsweihe von Mons. Ignazio Sanna, 25. Juni 2006

 

Entrada

Entrance procession

Einzug

 
 

Imposición de manos

Imposition of hands

Handauflegung

 

Rito del evangelio

Rite with the Holy Scripture

Ritus mit dem Evangeliar

 

Aqui estoy…

Here I am…

Bereit…

 

Celebración de la Santa Misa, la primera vez como obispo

First Holy Mass as bishop

Erste Messe als Bischof

Fotos: www.ignaziosanna.com © 2006

 
   

ITALY, Mons. Dr. Peter Wolf. On June 25th, Mons. Dr. Ignacio Sanna –member of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests – received the Episcopal consecration. On the same day he took possession of his charge as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oristano. The consecration ceremony was transmitted live by television throughout Italy. In his homily Cardinal Ruini, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference recalled the blessing of the Schoenstatt Shrine in Belmonte which he presided in September of 2004, and whose first rector was Mons. Ignacio Sanna, the recently consecrated Archbishop.

Twelve members of the community of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests traveled to Oristano, in Sardinia, since they wanted to know something about the city and the archdiocese in which their co-brother Mons. Ignazio Sanna would be consecrated as bishop on June 25th. With curiosity they searched for the cathedral in the middle of the city of Oristano, that has 32,000 inhabitants. The came upon a building that has parts of the Romanesque, Gothic and Classic styles with an impressive bell tower separate from the church. The cathedral is under the patronage of Mary Assumed into Heaven, represented in a large baroque picture, that is clearly renaissance, over the main altar that was even larger..

A replica of the bell of the Shrine of Belmonte

On the same afternoon they met with their co-brother Mons. Sanna, who was in good spirits and he stayed with them for a long time. On Saturday morning they concelebrated the Eucharist with their co-brother in the small baroque chapel of the archbishop’s house. One could sense the rich anticipation he felt for all the new things that await him in his new task. At the end of the Eucharist they presented him with a replica, a little smaller than the bell of the Shrine of Rome, which was inscribed "Vocatos voco" – I call those who have been called. In the future the bell will remind him of the Shrine of Belmonte, Rome, where he was the first rector.

Then there was still time to travel to San Juan de Sinis and the old city harbor of Tharros, above the sea. Father Mengedodt, dean in Wesel, is an expert in the interesting history of Sardinia and he informed them about the ups and downs in the almost 4.000 years of history in the church of San Juan. Beneath the strong sun and the light sea breeze they traveled through the ruins of the city that was founded by the Romans close to the sea. The interesting remains and the design of the place stimulated fantasy.

Renowned theologian and a man of spirituality

On Sunday morning they made a spiritual reflection. It was held in the Spiritual Center that is close to the Marian shrine of the archdiocese, where they stayed during those days. The afternoon nap helped them overcome the impressive heat of the Sardinian afternoon, and shortly afterwards they departed to the cathedral. Twenty bishops and more than two hundred priests passed through the multitude at the entrance of the cathedral, where the new Archbishop received a cordial welcome with strong applause and exclamations.

The cathedral was full, and many remained in the square, following the ceremony through a gigantic screen. The consecration was transmitted by television live throughout Italy. Cardinal Ruini, Vicar General of the Holy Father for Rome and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference was the main celebrant and in his touching homily he presented Mons. Ignazio Sanna as a renowned and highly qualified theologian, and at the same time as a man of deep spirituality, attached with the priestly community and the Schoenstatt Movement. The Cardinal also mentioned the Shrine of Belmonte that he blessed in 2004. His words reflected much empathy for the new Archbishop, for Schoenstatt, and for the Shrine of Belmonte.

A cordial welcome for the new Pastor

It was exciting to see a co-brother prostrated on the floor during the long litanies of the saints, and to share the experience with him when the Cardinal and the bishops imposed their hands on him, and how they placed the open book of the gospels on him, how he received the ring, the mitre and the bishop’s crozier of his predecessor and was guided to the cathedra.

Then he celebrated the Eucharist for the first time as Bishop in the midst of his diocese, and the bishops and priests concelebrated with him. The distribution of communion within the cathedral and in the square seemed to have no end. There were more than five thousand people. For the final blessing the recently consecrated Archbishop crossed the cathedral and he stayed in front of the square. It could be seen how the people continually took his hand that blesses to kiss it. Once in while there was the impression that he was lost among the multitude. After a quarter of an hour he could again return to the altar.

Under the protection of Mary

From there he addressed his first speech to his new diocese. In his words of gratitude for this moment, he demonstrated the great richness of his multiple relationships with those who accompanied him on the road of his priesthood. He all took the opportunity to greet his co-brothers of the Institute and the participants of the Schoenstatt Movement from Germany in German. Evidently it was a great joy for him that they accompanied on this day and that they celebrated with him.

The day after the consecration, was spent with his brothers of the Institute of Schoenstatt Diocesan Priests. Together they took an excursion to his native town, Orune, in the mountains, and they visited the tombs of his parents. They also visited his brother, who now has a room in the house of the new archbishop. En Desulo, the place of the highest altitude of his archdiocese (some 1,000 meters) they visited a diocesan community of religious, who treated him like a king. In the afternoon, the new Archbishop along with his co-brothers and a large number of people celebrated the Eucharist in the Marian shrine of the archdiocese, close to the city. At this moment he placed all his Episcopal service under the protection of Mary, as it is also expressed in this coat of arms.

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA


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