E hiki mai kou aupuni Here is the prepared text of Bishop Castori’s remarks given at the conclusion of his episcopal ordination and installation Mass July 28 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. Forty years ago, when I was a novice in the Society of Jesus, making for the first time the Spiritual Exercises — […]
‘The islands put their trust in you’
Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori,SJ’s ordination and installation were a joyous blend of people, traditions and cultures By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald “E hiki mai kou aupuni” — “Thy kingdom come.” The episcopal motto of Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, SJ — taken from the Our Father recited in olelo Hawaii — anchored […]
Bishop Emeritus Larry Silva: Blessed with a holy Church, despite its many flaws
Here is the prepared text of the homily delivered July 27 during vespers on the eve of Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, SJ’s ordination and installation as the sixth bishop of Honolulu at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. Father Michael, tomorrow you will receive a ring, and when he presents it to you, […]
Solemn vespers: An evening of prayer and promise
Hawaii Catholic Herald The events surrounding Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ’s July 28 episcopal ordination and installation Mass began with solemn vespers the day before, also at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu. With Bishop Larry Silva presiding, the church resounded with the traditional hymns and psalmodies sung during the service, which is also […]
‘Special relationship’: Bishop Castori’s ties to Tonga are more than 3 decades deep
By Lisa Dahm Hawaii Catholic Herald At the heart of Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ’s coat of arms are two symbols that represent his loving embrace of family. On the left are poppies and lupines signifying his home and family in California, and on the right is a Tongan kumete — a large, wooden ceremonial […]
‘In awe’ of God’s call, Bishop Castori is installed as diocese’s new shepherd
By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald “E hiki mai kou aupuni” — “Thy kingdom come.” The episcopal motto of Bishop Michael Thomas Tupou Castori, SJ — taken from the Our Father recited in olelo Hawaii — anchored a liturgy rich with culture and symbolism in which the Jesuit priest was ordained and installed as […]
Bishop Castori: ‘Let the islands rejoice!’
“Let the islands rejoice!” (Psalm 97) Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we enter the bicentennial of the arrival of the Catholic faith in Hawaii, the uplifting prayer of Psalm 97, “Let the islands rejoice!” captures the moment. Two centuries after Holy Mass was first celebrated on Hawaiian soil by missionaries of the Sacred […]
Profile: Building God’s kingdom as Honolulu’s new shepherd
By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald Though there was no way to know at the time, Bishop Michael T.T. Castori, SJ’s childhood laid the groundwork for his current ministry as the sixth bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu. When he was growing up in Carmichael, California, the youngest of three children and only boy […]
Analysis: With Bishop Castori, diocese is in good hands
By Celia K. Downes Hawaii Catholic Herald The role of bishop of the Diocese of Honolulu is a great challenge to fill on the rare occasions when it opens up. Hawaii’s unique and diverse blend of ethnicities, cultures, ages and stages in life requires a compassionate and flexible leader who also brings a level head […]
Reflection: Michael our bishop
By Anthony Selvanathan Special to the Herald This weekend, something will sound different at every Catholic Mass throughout the Diocese of Honolulu. For the first time, during the Eucharistic prayer, many island Catholics will hear the words, “Leo XIV our pope and Michael our bishop.” It may seem like a small change in a familiar […]







