Bishop-elect Donald DeGrood shows the apostolic mandate by Pope Francis appointing him to lead the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, as part of his Feb. 13 ordination Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. TOM HALDEN | THE CATHOLIC SPIRIT

A servant not a ruler, a man of discernment, who is unafraid to touch the wounds of Christ, and an apostle of listening are among the graces and part of the calling of a bishop.

And they are among reasons the Lord called Bishop-elect Donald DeGrood to lead the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, said Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis, in his homily Feb. 13 at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, shortly before ordaining Bishop DeGrood.

After reciting the prayer of ordination with the Book of the Gospels held aloft over Bishop DeGrood’s head, Archbishop Hebda anointed Bishop DeGrood with holy chrism, and the miter was placed on the head of the ninth bishop of Sioux Falls. 

Handed his crosier, hand-carved from a tree on his family farm in Faribault, Bishop DeGrood, a former priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, embraced the archbishop and took his seat as bishop of the diocese, before presiding over the rest of the Mass.

Archbishop Hebda began his homily with humor.

“I sure hope you slept better last night than I did,” he said, addressing Bishop-elect DeGrood, as the congregation laughed. “I hope it doesn’t make you nervious that I’ve never anointed a bishop before.”

A search of YouTube and Google didn’t provide any guidance, the archbishop continued. But in the end, he realized that like any recipe, the ingredients will make it good, he said.

“And I’m convinced the Lord has given us just the right ingredients,” Archbishop Hebda said.

Archbhishop Hebda said the Lord had long been preparing Bishop DeGrood for his new role, citing his experience as a pastor who reached out to people in pain from abuse and ill health, as a spiritual counselor, and a guide to fellow priests.

Archbishop Hebda cited Pope Francis’ guidance on the need for bishops to be servants, men of discernment with a willingness to touch the wounds of Christ, and a willingness to listen.

“Be assured of our prayers, both mine and all those in this cathedral, as you begin this important ministry,” the archbishop said.

Apostolic nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre read the apostolic mandate from Pope Francis appointing Bishop DeGrood to lead the Diocese of Sioux Falls. He gave the mandate to Bishop-elect DeGrood, who as part of the ordination carried the mandate around the cathedral, showing it to the people of Sioux Falls.

Archbishop Pierre and Archbishop Hebda were joined by about a dozen bishops, including Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Family, friends and dozens of priests from Sioux Falls and St. Paul and Minneapolis filled the cathedral. The ceremony  was lived-streamed on the internet.