Here is the Sept. 11, 1941, (Hawaii) Catholic Herald story on the establishment of the Diocese of Honolulu and installation of its first diocesan bishop.
Stirring Pageantry Marks Installation
Thousands Line Streets, Fill Church
Ancient Ritual Held to Elevate Vicariate, Install Bishop
In a surrounding of ecclesiastical pageantry and ancient church ritual, the Most Reverend James Joseph Sweeney, D.D., was installed Thursday as the first Bishop of Honolulu — a solemn but joyous rite that brought to an inspiring climax the 114-year history of the Catholic Church in Hawaii.
The ceremonies of installing Bishop Sweeney had a beauty and ritualistic splendor such as has never before been equaled in these islands.
The rite followed immediately after the ceremonies which officially elevated the island vicariate to the status of a diocese. The Diocese of Honolulu now is a suffragen see of the Archdiocese of San Francisco.
Thousands of spectators crowded the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and lined Fort Street in front of the cathedral to witness the never-to-be-forgotten scenes.
They began to arrive as early as 7 a.m., taking places in the unreserved seats at the rear of the church. By 8 a.m. this section was filled, although the ceremonies were not to begin until 10 a.m.
Well before the fixed hour, civic dignitaries, army and navy representatives and other invited laymen had taken their seats.
A peal of cathedral bells sharply at 10 o’clock announced the arrival of Bishop Sweeney and members of the Hierarchy and Clergy.
While cameras clicked and the crowds surged forward the procession arrived from the rectory. As Bishop Sweeney and his chaplains approached the entrance, the Very Rev. Victorinus Claesen, stepped forward to greet him, as pro vicar.
In a brief ceremony at the entrance, Father Victorinus presented a crucifix to Bishop Sweeney, who kissed it and then blessed those about him with holy water. Bishop Sweeney then placed incense in the thurible presented to him.
The procession proceeded into the cathedral. It was a colorful line, with the clergy in their white surplices and the members of the Hierarchy in their bright purple. As they entered, the organ and choir broke into “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus.”
The interior of the Cathedral presented, too, a brilliant sight. In the sanctuary were the red canopies of the Archbishop’s throne at the Gospel, or right side, and the Bishop’s throne at the Epistle, left, side. Scores of candles burned about the altar and the noonday sun glinted brightly through the cathedral’s stained glass windows.
In the rows of pews on the right was the delegation of robed nuns, and behind them black clad brothers. Visiting and island clergy, in lace surplices, occupied the center right row and behind them were the army chaplains, resplendent in white uniforms and braid. With them were official U.S. army representatives in white and gold.
In the center left rows were invited guests, Mrs. and Miss Sweeney occupying the front row. Both fingered Rosary beads as they waited for the ceremonies so important to them. Behind them were U.S. Navy officers and naval chaplains, dressed, too, in dazzling white and braid.
Inside the sanctuary rail were the purple-clad Bishops and at the extreme right, the black-robed Franciscan superior, the Very Rev. Martin Knauff.
Upon arriving at the Sanctuary, Bishop Sweeney knelt in the center, flanked on the right by Archbishop (John) Mitty and on the left by Father Victorinus. They remained there, kneeling, until the hymn “Ecce Sacerdos Magnus” was done. The Archbishop went then to his throne and Bishop Sweeney to the Saconium on the opposite side of the Sanctuary.
The Very Reverend Harold B. Collins, secretary to Archbishop Mitty, approached the public address microphone set up at the left of the Sanctuary and read the official church documents pertaining to the erection of the new diocese.
The statement was from Archbishop A.G. Cicoganini, Apostolic Delegate, making official announcement of the erection by His Holiness, Pope Pius XII of the island vicariate to the status of a diocese. The silence in the cathedral seemed deeper as the Monsignor paused sometimes in the reading of the brief but historic announcement. The full papal document, according to the Apostolic Delegate, had not yet arrived from the Vatican.
Monsignor Collins then read the Apostolic Delegate’s announcement pertaining to the appointment of Bishop Sweeney as the first Bishop of Honolulu. This, too, was brief.
The documents read, Archbishop Mitty and Bishop Sweeney went with their chaplains before the altar and knelt, while Father Victorinus, standing at the right side of the altar, chanted the Verses and Orations, to which the choir responded.
Bishop Sweeney ascended from the Sanctuary and after kissing the altar in the middle, he sang the oration of the Patron of the Cathedral. His strong resonant voice rung through the crowded church.
Returning to the center of the altar, he sang the Episcopal blessing, after which Archbishop Mitty ascended and led him to the throne on the Gospel side of the Sanctuary.
Now the choir began the “Te Deum” for in surmounting the throne Bishop Sweeney became the first Bishop of Honolulu and the stirring chorus of the ancient hymn swelled triumphantly through the cathedral.
At this moment the clergy of the islands, led by Father Victorinus, formed a line to kneel before Bishop Sweeney and kiss the episcopal ring, signifying their pledge of obedience to his leadership.
Following this ceremony, the bishop and ministers of the Mass began putting on their vestments for celebration of the Mass. The following were to assist in the Mass: Father Victorinus, assistant priest; Father Miesler, first assistant deacon; Father Dornbusch, second assistant deacon; Very Rev. Father Jules, deacon; Rev. Father Cotter, processional cross-bearer.
The Rev. Joseph B. Renault was master of ceremonies for the Mass. Father Lochs was thurifer, and the Rev. Fathers Morin and Rowley, acolytes.
Three acolytes assisted Bishop Sweeney in vesting for the Mass, during which Father Victorinus ascended the pulpit to officially welcome Bishop Sweeney in the name of the Clergy, Religious, and Laity of the Diocese.
Father Victorinus greeted Bishop Sweeney as a friend and father and as one of an eminent line of church leaders in the islands. He dwelled at length upon the work and accomplishments of the late Bishop Stephen Alencastre.
“It is a momentous event we are witnessing here today,” Father Victorinus said, “and we may be sure that as we gather here together for this great occasion, the blessed spirit of Father Damien hovers near.”
In response to the diocesan welcome, Bishop Sweeney spoke from his throne, standing with white and gold miter on his head, and holding the crozier, his staff of authority.
The new bishop’s voice rang resonantly through the cathedral as he pledged himself to devotion and service in his labors in the islands.
At the conclusion of his address, Bishop Sweeney began the celebration of the Solemn Pontifical Mass, at the throne.
It was 11 o’clock as the beautiful ceremonies began, the first Pontifical Mass by the diocesan leader in the Cathedral.
The Mass over, Archbishop Mitty descended from his throne to make his address before the microphone in the middle of the Sanctuary.
“Today,” Archbishop Mitty said, “marks another glorious chapter in the rich history of the Church in Hawaii.”
He said he regretted that the Apostolic Delegate could not come to Honolulu for the Installation, but that it was a prized privilege that he himself could officiate at the occasion.
“Bishop Sweeney as spiritual leader of this diocese will reap the reward for what his predecessors have sown in tears and sweat. But in the months and years to come, he, too, will sow laboriously that others might reap.”
He said that Bishop Sweeney came in a twofold capacity: as Representative of the Church and as a Citizen of the United States.
“And Bishop Sweeney, I assure you, pledges strict allegiance to both: to the Cross of his Church and to the Stars and Stripes of his country’s flag.”
As Archbishop Mitty concluded, the organ pealed forth with the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” in which the congregation joined in singing.
Archbishop Mitty and Bishop Sweeney joined, too in the anthem, standing by their thrones in the Sanctuary.
The memorable ceremonies ended with the solemn recessional of the Hierarchy and clergy from the Sanctuary down the center aisle and out of the cathedral.
