Episcopal Ordination Episcopal Ordination - The Catholic ...

Episcopal Ordination 

of 

The Most Reverend Gregory J. Bittman 

St. Joseph’s Basilica, Edmonton 

Monday, September 3, 2012 

Memorial of St. Gregory the Great


Auxiliary Bishop of Edmonton

Episcopal Ordination 

of 


Auxiliary Bishop of Edmonton 

Presiding Bishop 

The Most Reverend Richard W. Smith 

Archbishop of Edmonton 

Assisted by 

His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins 

Archbishop of Toronto 

& 

The Most Reverend Archbishop Joseph MacNeil 

Archbishop Emeritus of Edmonton 

In the presence of 

The Most Reverend Pedro López-Quintana 

Apostolic Nuncio to Canada 

- 1 -

Choral Prelude 

Lead Me, Lord 

Introductory rites 

Entrance Chant 

O God, Beyond All Praising 

Michael Perry 

- 2 -

“O God, Beyond All Praising” Words Copyright © 1982, 1987 Hope Publishing Comany, 

Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission. 

Setting Published 1988 by GIA Publications, Inc. 

www.onelicense.net, License # A-711375 

- 3 -

6.29 

O God of Past and Present 

Genevieve Glen, OSB 

& bb 4 3 œ œ 

1. O 

2. Let 

& bb œ œ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

pres 

laugh 

& bb ˙ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

be, 

hands, 

œ. 

œ œ 

J 

. 

God 

moun 

- ent, And all that 

- ter And for -ests 

Come, 

To 

& b b œ œ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

peo 

sing 

- 4 - 

- 

of 

tains 

past 

ring 

œ œ œ œ 

yet 

clap 

œ. 

J œ œ. 

lis 

hear 

- 

ten 

the 

- ple Who groan to be 

- ing In long a - ban - 

& b b ˙ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

free. 

lands. 

Keep 

Let 


1. 

2. 

O gOd Of PaSt and PrESEnt 

pro 

riv 

Genevieve Glen, Tobias OSB, Colgan, Tobias Colgan, OSB OSB 

to 

sound 

will 

their 

œ œ œ œ 

œ. 

now 

mer 

œ. 

- 

set 

doned 

j 

œ œ œ 

the 

cy 

an - 

run 

œ 

and 

with 

œ 

your 

of 

cient 

in 

j 

œ œ œ 

- mise That fans the stead-fast 

- ers Through ev - ’ry des -ert

6.29 O gOd Of PaSt and PrESEnt (continued) 

2 

& bb ˙ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

flame 

soul 

& bb œ œ 

1. 

2. 

Of 

And 

œ 

. œ œ œ œ 

hope 

heal 

that 

all 

burns 

bar 

mong us Who call u - pon 

spir - its, And make the bro - 

& bb ˙ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

name. 

whole. 

Let 

Let 

& bb œ œ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

out 

vere 

- 

a 

ren 

œ œ œ œ 

œ. 

œ J 

œ. 

cit 

na 

- break Of danc - ing 

you, O God, show 

& bb ˙ œ œ 

1. 

2. 

street 

pow’r: 

When 

For 


your 

ken 

- 

œ 

- ies see the 

- tions all re - 

œ œ œ œ 

in 

forth 

œ. 

œ œ 

J 

. 

all 

all 

the 

who 

œ œ œ œ 

lost 

love 

the 

your 

˙ 

œ 

are 

and 

1. 

2. 

gath 

serve 

- ered And all the part-ed 

you Let heav-en’s 

jus-tice 

meet. 

flow’r. 

Text: Genevieve Glen, Osb © 2003, The Benedictine Nuns of the Abbey of St. Walburga. 

Administered by OCP, 5536 NE Hassalo, Portland, OR 97213. All rights reserved. Used with permission. 

Music: THAXTED, 13 13 13 13 13 13; Gustav Holst, 1874-1934 

www.licensingonline.org, License # 605388 

- 5 -

Greeting 

Penitential Act 

Kyrie 

Geoffrey S. Angeles 

- 6 -

Kyrie (continued) 

Text: Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. 

Setting: © Fr. Geoffrey Angeles, 2008. All rights reserved. Used with permission. 

- 7 -

Gloria 


1. We praise you, we bless you, 

we adore you, we glorify you, 

we give you thanks for your great glory, 

Lord God, heavenly King, 

O God, almighty Father. 

2. Lord Jesus Christ, only begotten Son, 

Lord God, Lamb of God, 

Son of the Father, 

you take away the sins of the world, 

have mercy on us, 

you take away the sins of the world, 

receive our prayer, 

you are seated at the right hand of the Father, 

have mercy on us. 

3. For you alone are the Holy One, 

you alone are the Lord, 

you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, 

with the Holy Spirit, 

in the glory of God the Father. 

Amen. 

Collect 

- 8 -

Liturgy of the word 

First Reading 

(Please be seated) 

(Frances Bittman) 

Reader A reading from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. (Jeremiah 1.4-9) 

All 

Now the word of the Lord came to be saying, 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, 

and before you were born I consecrated you; 

I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” 

Then I said, 

“Ah, Lord God! Truly I do not know how to speak, 

for I am only a boy.” 

But the Lord said to me, 

“Do not say, ‘I am only a boy’; 

for you shall go to all to whom I send you, 

and you shall speak whatever I command you, 

Do not be afraid of them, 

for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord.” 

Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth; 

and the Lord said to me, 

“Now I have put my words in your mouth.” 

The word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God. 

Responsorial Psalm: 

Psalm 100: We Are God’s People 

- 9 - 

Text: Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5; David Haas, Music: David Haas 

© 1983, GIA Publications, Inc 

www.onelicense.net, License # A-711375

Second Reading 

(Roma Newcombe) 

Reader A reading from the letter of Paul to the Romans. (Romans 12.5-8) 

All 

For as in one body we have many members, 

and not all the members have the same function, 

so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, 

and individually we are members of one of another. 

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: 

prophecy, in proportion to faith; 

ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; 

the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; 

the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 

The word of the Lord. 

Thanks be to God. 

Gospel Acclamation 

Celtic Alleluia 

(Please stand) 

Fintan O’Carroll and Christopher Walker 

Music © 1985, 1996, Fintan O’ Carroll and Christopher Walker. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. 


- 10 -

Holy Gospel 

(Deacon Paul Croteau) 

Deacon 

All 

The Lord be with you. 

And with your Spirit. 

Deacon A reading from the holy gospel according to John. (John 10.11-16) 

All 

Glory to you, Lord. 

Jesus said to the Pharisees, 

“I am the good shepherd. 

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

The hired hand, 

who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, 

sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away - 

and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 

The hired hand runs away 

because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 

I am the good shepherd. 

I know my own and they know me, 

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. 

And I lay down my life for the sheep. 

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. 

I must bring them also, 

and they will listen to my voice. 

So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” 

The gospel of the Lord. 

All 

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 

- 11 -

Ordination 

Veni Creator Spiritus 

(Please remain standing) 

- 12 -

Text: Attr. to Rabanus Maurus, 776-856 

Tune: VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, LM: Mode VIII; acc. by Richard Proulx, b.1937 

Public Domain 

Presentation of the Bishop-elect 

Bishop-elect Bittman is presented to Archbishop Smith. One of the assisting priests asks Archbishop 

Smith to ordain him to the office of Bishop. 

Apostolic Letter 

(Please be seated) 

Reverend Adam Lech, Chancellor, reads the letter from the Holy Father calling Bishop-elect Bittman 

to the Episcopal ministry. 

Consent of the People 

Following the reading of the letter, the people show their acceptance and approval by applause. 

Homily 

His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins 

Examination of the Candidate 

Following an ancient custom of the Church, Archbishop Smith questions Bishop-elect Bittman 

about his resolve to fulfill the responsibilities of bishop. 

- 13 -

Invitation to Prayer 

(Please stand) 

Archbishop 

Deacon 

My dear people, let us pray that almighty God in his goodness will pour out 

his grace upon this man whom he has chosen to provide for the needs of the 

Church. 

Let us kneel. 

Litany of the Saints 

John D. Becker 

Text © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved. Used with permission. 

Music © 1987, 2011, John D. Becker. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. 


- 14 -

Archbishop 

All 

Deacon: 

Lord, 

Be moved by our prayers. 

Anoint your servant with the fullness of priestly grace, 

And bless him with spiritual power in all its richness. 

We ask this through Christ our Lord. 

Amen. 

Let us stand. 

Laying on of Hands 

In silence, Archbishop Smith imposes his hands on Bishop-elect Bittman, conferring the power of 

the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit given by Christ to the apostles. The co-consecrators and all bishops 

in attendance also impose hands, signifying that the ordination of a bishop is a collegial act of the 

Order of Bishops. 

Prayer of Consecration 

Archbishop Smith opens the Book of the Gospels over the head of Bishop-elect Bittman. This ancient 

rite evokes symbolically the responsibility of the Bishop to preach the Good News of salvation in 

Christ. While the deacons hold the Book of the Gospels above the head of Bishop-elect Bittman, 

Archbishop Smith, with hands extended, offers the prayer of consecration. This ancient prayer 

invokes the power of the Holy Spirit upon Bishop-elect Bittman, and recalls the role of the Bishop 

within the Church. The Bishops present join in the prayer of consecration. 

Anointing of the Bishop’s Head 

Bishop Bittman is anointed with chrism, signifying the full share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ 

which he has received through the Laying on of Hands and the Prayer of Consecration. 

Presentation of the Book of the Gospels 

The Book of Gospels, which was held above the head of Bishop Bittman, is presented to him. 

- 15 -

Investiture with Ring, Mitre and Pastoral Staff 

The ring, mitre and crozier, symbols of the episcopal office, are presented to Bishop Bittman, 

signifying his bond of unity with the Church community and his responsibility to watch over and 

lead the Body of Christ. 

Seating of the Bishop 

Bishop Bittman is invited to take his place among the concelebrating bishops. 

Kiss of Peace 

As a sign of welcome into the episcopate, the bishops exhange a sign of peace with Bishop Bittman. 

Laudate Omnes Gentes 

(All Peoples Praise the Lord) 

Refrain: 

Laudate, omnes gentes, laudate Dominum. 

Laudate, omnes gentes, laudate Dominum. 

- 16 -

Liturgy of the Eucharist 

Preparation of the Gifts 

See Us, Lord, About Your Altar 

(Gift Bearers: Nieces and Nephews of Bishop Bittman) 

Drakes Broughton 

Text: John Greally, alt. Music: Edward Elgar, 1857-1934. 

Public Domain 

- 17 -

Prayer over the Offerings 

Preface 

Holy Holy 


- 18 -

Eucharistic Prayer 

Memorial Acclamation 


Great Amen 


- 19 -

Communion Rite 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Sign of Peace 

Lamb of God 


- 20 -

Communion Hymns 

Now We Remain 

David Haas 

Text: Based on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; 1 John 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:11-13. Text and music © 1983, GIA Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Used with permission. 

www.onlinelicense.net, License # A-71135 

- 21 -

Servant Song 

Donna Marie McGargill, OSM 

- 22 - 

©1984, OCP Publications. All rights reserved. 

www.licensingonline.org, License # 605388

Pescador de Hombres/Lord, You Have Come 

Cesáreo Gabaráin 

- 23 -

Text and music © 1979, 1987, Cesáreo Gabaráin. Published by OCP. All rights reserved. 


Holy Is His Name 

John Michael Talbot 

(Choir will sing verses while all join in the singing of the refrain) 

Text: Magnificat, based on Luke 1:46-55. Text and music ©1980, Birdwing Music/BMG Songs, Inc. All rights reserved. 

Administered by EMI CMG Publishing. Used with permission. 


- 24 -

Christ, Be Our Light 

Bernadette Farrell 

©1993, Bernadette Farrell. Published by OCP Publications. All rights reserved. 


- 25 -

Prayer After Communion 

Concluding Rite 

Hymn of Thanksgiving and Blessing 

Bishop Bittman is led by Cardinal Collins and Archbishop MacNeil, walking through the Basilica, 

blessing the assembly. 

Holy God, We Praise Thy Name 

1. Holy God, we praise Your Name; 

Lord of all, we bow before You! 

All on earth Your scepter claim, 

All in heaven above adore You; 

Infinite Your vast domain, 

Everlasting is Your reign. 

2. Hark! the loud celestial hymn 

Angel choirs above are raising, 

Cherubim and seraphim, 

In unceasing chorus praising; 

Fill the heavens with sweet accord: 

Holy, holy, holy, Lord. 

3. Lo! the apostolic train 

Join the sacred Name to hallow; 

Prophets swell the loud refrain, 

And the white-robed martyrs follow; 

And from morn’ to set of sun, 

Through the Church the song goes on. 

5. You are King of glory, Christ: 

Son of God, yet born of Mary; 

For us sinners sacrificed, 

and to death a tributary: 

First to break the bars of death, 

You have opened Heaven to faith. 

6. Glorious, seated at God’s right hand, 

Judge of all, again returning, 

Come and bring those you saved with Your blood 

With your saints in glory e’erlasting 

Grant us mercy, from above, 

Holy Trinity, God of love. 

7. Lord, we praise and bless Your Name, 

help Your servants whom, redeeming 

by Your Precious Blood out-poured, 

You have saved from Satan’s scheming. 

Give to us eternal rest 

in the glory of the Blest. 

4. Holy Father, Holy Son, 

Holy Spirit, Three we name You; 

While in essence only One, 

Undivided God we claim You; 

And adoring bend the knee, 

While we own the mystery. 

8. Save Your people, Lord, we pray, 

by a thousand snares surrounded: 

keep us without sin today, 

never let us be confounded. 

Lord, in You all our trust is lain 

We shall never hope in vain. 

- 26 - 

Public Domain

Solemn Blessing & Dismissal 

Recessional 

To Jesus Christ, Our Sovereign King 

Ich Glaub an Gott 

Text: 87 87 with refrain; ©1941, Martin B. Hellriegel, 1891-1981, assigned 1978 to Mrs. Irene C. Mueller. 

All rights reserved. Used with permission. Music: Mainz Gesangbuch, 1870 


Postlude 

Water Music Selection 

Toccata 

George Frideric Handel 

Charles-Marie Widor 

- 27 -

SYMBOLISM OF THE 

ARMORIAL BEARINGS OF 

THE MOST REVEREND 

SYMBOLISME DES 

EMBLÈMES HÉRALDIQUES DE 

MONSEIGNEUR 

Gregory John Bittman 

Arms: Red is a colour found 

in the arms or flags of Germany, 

Austria, Hungary, and Poland, 

thus marking Bishop Bittman’s 

ancestry. Red and white are the 

colours of Canada. The dove is 

the attribute of Pope St. Gregory 

the Great, thus alluding to 

Bishop Bittman’s first name 

as well as the fact that he was 

ordained a bishop on the feast 

day of St. Gregory. The dove 

is also a symbol of the Holy 

Spirit, of peace and love, and 

of the faithful. Its depiction in 

the arms is based on a stained glass window in 

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, thus connecting 

Bishop Bittman’s exercise of the 

apostolic ministry of a bishop with St. Peter, 

numbered as the first apostle. The lamp is 

a symbol of nursing, a reference to Bishop 

Bittman’s profession as a Registered Nurse prior 

to his reception of Holy Orders. A lamp is also 

a Christian symbol, a metaphor for the Word of 

God. Its flame alludes to the flames above the 

disciples’ heads on the day of Pentecost (and, 

by extension, to a bishop’s mitre), and to the 

enflamed Sacred Heart of Jesus, marking 

the fact that Bishop Bittman was ordained 

a deacon on that feast day. The division line 

resembling clouds alludes to the Feast of the 

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, on 

which Bishop Bittman was ordained a priest. 

Motto: Christus Iesus Spes Nostra is Latin 

for “Christ Jesus our Hope” (1 Tim. 1:1). 

Armes: Le rouge, que l’on 

retrouve dans les armoiries et 

les drapeaux de l’Allemagne, de 

l’Autriche, de la Hongrie et de 

la Pologne, rappelle les pays des 

ancêtres de Mgr Bittman. Le 

rouge et le blanc sont également 

les couleurs emblématiques 

du Canada. Attribut du pape 

saint Grégoire le Grand, la 

colombe évoque le prénom de 

Mgr Bittman et son 

ordination en tant qu’évêque 

le jour de la fête liturgique de 

saint Grégoire. La colombe 

symbolise également l’Esprit Saint, la paix, 

l’amour et la fidélité. Son dessin est ici 

inspiré d’un vitrail de la Basilique Saint-Pierre 

de Rome, liant ainsi l’exercice du ministère 

apostolique de l’évêque à saint Pierre, le 

premier apôtre. La lampe est un symbole 

des soins infirmiers et rappelle que Mgr 

Bittman était un infirmier autorisé avant d’entrer 

dans les ordres. Elle est également un symbole 

chrétien, une métaphore de la Parole de Dieu. Ses 

flammes rappellent la représentation des flammes 

auréolant la tête des apôtres le jour de la 

Pentecôte et, par extension, la forme des 

mîtres des évêques. Elles symbolisent également le 

Sacré-Cœur de Jésus, Mgr Bittman 

ayant été nommé diacre le jour 

de cette fête liturgique. La ligne de 

division en forme de nuages 

symbolise l’Assomption de la 

Vierge Marie, Mgr Bittman ayant été 

ordonné prête le jour de cette fête liturgique. 

Devise: Cette phrase latine signifie 

« Christ Jésus notre espérance » (1 Tm 1.1).

Brothers and Sisters, 

It is with awe and not a little trepidation 

that I enter this blessed new ministry, 

chosen by the Holy Father to follow in the 

footsteps of the apostles. With the help of 

the Holy Spirit and the grace of Our Lord 

Jesus Christ, I will do my best to serve you, 

the people of God. Please know that I am 

profoundly grateful for the outpouring of 

prayers, encouragement and support I have 

received since my appointment was 

announced. Thank you for celebrating with 

me on the occasion of my episcopal 

ordination. Your thoughtfulness, friendship 

and love will never be forgotten. May God 

bless you in abundance. 

In Christ Jesus Our Hope, 

Gregory J. Bittman 

Auxiliary Bishop of Edmonton 

Chers frères et sœurs, 

C’est avec un grand respect et un peu 

d’inquiétude que je commence ce nouveau 

ministère béni, appelé par le Saint Père à 

suivre les traces des apôtres. Avec l’aide du 

Saint Esprit et la grâce de Notre Seigneur 

Jésus Christ, je ferai de mon mieux pour 

vous servir, le peuple de Dieu. Soyez 

assurés que je suis profondément 

reconnaissant pour l’effusion de prières, 

d’encouragement et d’appui reçus depuis 

l’annonce de ma nomination. Merci de 

célébrer avec moi en cette occasion de mon 

ordination épiscopale. Votre bonté, votre 

amitié et votre affection ne seront jamais 

oubliés. Que Dieu vous bénisse en 

abondance. 

En Jésus-Christ notre espérance, 

Gregory J. Bittman 

Évêque auxiliaire à Edmonton

The Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton 

8421 101 Avenue | Edmonton, AB | T6A 0L1 

780.469.1010 | www.caedm.ca

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