In Omaha, Archbishop Lucas Makes Canonical Visitation with Confirmations

The Most Reverend George J. Lucas, Archbishop of Omaha, recently made a Canonical Visitation and administered the Sacrament of Confirmation at Immaculate Conception, our parish in Omaha, Nebraska. He was assisted by Fr. John Brancich, FSSP, pastor, and Fr. Massimo Botta, FSSP, assistant pastor.

The canonical visit was composed of several parts. The Archbishop, Priests, and servers processed to the church doors. There the Archbishop knelt and was presented with a crucifix, veiled in white, to kiss.  He then rose and sprinkled the priests and those in the vestibule with holy water from the aspergillium. Afterwards incense was blessed and the pastor incensed the Archbishop three times.

The procession to the high altar was next.  There, the Archbishop knelt at the faldstool in the sanctuary as Fr. Brancich began in prayer. The Archbishop then ascended the altar, kissed it, and turned to offer his apostolic blessing upon all present.

Because there is no cemetery attached to Immaculate Conception, the Absolution of the Dead of the parish was simplified.  While the Archbishop vested in a black stole and cope, a large black cloth was laid down in the middle of the sanctuary, representing the dead of the parish. After reciting the De Profundis, the Archbishop sprinkled the cloth with holy water, then blessed incense and incensed the cloth, which completed the absolution.

The Archbishop then inspected the tabernacle and high altar, and administered Benediction while the Tantum Ergo was recited. The ceremony concluded with Fr. Brancich ascending the altar to lock the tabernacle once again.

The Canonical Visitation concluded with Confirmations. The Archbishop vested in the regalia of Confirmations, including his miter and crozier, and proceeded with administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation to those ready to receive.

Once the visitation was complete, all gathered together for a luncheon in celebration of the visit. Enjoy a variety of pictures from the event, courtesy of Cathy Webster, a parishioner of Immaculate Conception.