Detroit’s archbishop spoke about how his journey is linked to the faithful’s as he gives thanks for a quarter-century in the episcopate

DETROIT — Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his ordination to the episcopate, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron said the blessings God has bestowed on him are shared among the faithful and are a cause for shared thanksgiving. 

Standing before an intimate group of friends, family, fellow priests and coworkers in Christ on July 11 at the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, Archbishop Vigneron gave thanks for the occasion as he reflected on the graces he’s shared with Detroit’s faithful. 

“It is very much with that in mind that I think about all of you today, about the diversity of bonds that hold us together,” the archbishop said, “about how what this is really about is our salvation being linked, yours and mine together. As Pope Francis would put it, ‘We are accompanying each other on the way home to the new Jerusalem.’”

Archbishop Vigneron celebrated his episcopal anniversary on July 9, a quarter-century to the day he was ordained an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. 

In 2003, he was sent away to lead the Diocese of Oakland, Calif., returning six years later to succeed Cardinal Adam J. Maida as Detroit’s fifth archbishop and ninth ordinary on Jan. 28, 2009. 

Among those celebrating with the archbishop were many who have known him for much of their own lives, including his younger brother, John Vigneron. 

For Vigneron and other members of the extended family, including siblings, nieces, nephews and now great-nieces and great-nephews, Archbishop Vigneron is both ordinary and extraordinary, John Vigneron said. But for many in the family, he is simply known as “Uncle Al.” 

His sister-in-law, Diane Vigneron, said parishioners at his home parish of Immaculate Conception in Ira Township remember the archbishop as a young altar boy and recalled there was something special about him. 

“He has been dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary for as far back as I can remember,” John Vigneron said. “People thought he was special. There was something special about him, (but) he wouldn’t feel that way. We feel that way. I can remember when we were children, he knew at that time what he was called for, and God bless him for that and the road that he’s traveled. We are fortunate to know him as we do. We are blessed.”

Archbishop Vigneron gave thanks to God during his homily for the graces of his episcopate, saying he views his graces as shared with the Church, the congregation and the communion of saints. 

“Over these years, especially these last 25, our salvation has been linked, and so, too, our graces are shared,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Shared graces mean that we need to have shared thanksgiving.”

Archbishop Vigneron noted that many of those present were married couples striving to love one another. He said he’s realized part of his own ministry is to help them strive with the love of Christ to live their own vocations. 

“This ministry that God has allowed me to perform for 25 years that you have shared in and been part of and accompanied me on, is a ministry of establishing the kingdom of God, creating outposts and embassies, one might say, for the kingdom,” the archbishop said. 

Archbishop Vigneron said he’s been privileged to celebrate many of the sacraments of those present in the church and those participating in the Mass livestream from home. 

“All of you are part of the life of the Church, which I am privileged to lead in the name of Christ as a successor to the apostles, and for that we give thanks,” Archbishop Vigneron said. 

Many of the clergy present at the Mass – including fellow bishops – recalled that Archbishop Vigneron played a crucial role in their own formation. 

“My last year at seminary, he was my rector,” Bishop Francis Y. Kalabat, leader of the Southfield-based Chaldean Catholic Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostle, told Detroit Catholic. “He attended my ordination in San Diego. In fact, I picked him up from the airport.”

Bishop Kalabat said Archbishop Vigneron is particularly attuned to the Holy Spirit and has allowed himself to be an instrument of God. 

“The archbishop has been a phenomenal and wonderful gift for me,” Bishop Kalabat said. “He was only my rector for one year, but he really revealed to me what it means to be a priest.”

Dr. Ray and Fran Bauer have known the archbishop since he was “Fr. Allen,” and said when they think of him, they think of someone who is prayerful. 

“He has taught me how even someone who is a teacher or a rector or someone who has great administrative duties, always has to go back to getting down on your knees and praying and being docile to the Holy Spirit,” Dr. Bauer said. 

Felician Sr. Felicity Marie Madigan, who has known Archbishop Vigneron since she was 16 years old, said years later he was the main celebrant for her final vows as a sister. 

“He is a very humble man, a very spiritual man, a very intellectual man, and he has a big heart,” Sr. Madigan said. “He has a heart to do good and to see good in all the areas of Detroit and to truly to unleash the Gospel and truly spread it throughout the archdiocese. (He wants people) to really come to know the Catholic faith and to come to know who Jesus is and have a personal encounter with him.”

Near the end of his homily, Archbishop Vigneron called upon the congregation to take a moment of silence to listen to the Holy Spirit and think about the graces in their own lives for which they are thankful. 

“Each of you has some particular thing, some particular grace for which to be thankful that we have shared together,” the archbishop said. “As I look at the congregation, I can look at each of you and identify a grace we have shared.”