The faithful of St. Mary Oratory had much reason to celebrate Sunday, November 6, 2016.  His Excellency, the Most Reverend David Malloy, Bishop of Rockford, Illinois, graciously came to officially install Canon Benjamin Coggeshall as Rector of the Oratory.  

His Excellency kindly attended the 9am Solemn High Mass, along with Canon Matthew Talarico, the Provincial superior of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest in the United States. His Excellency, Bishop Malloy gave a moving sermon that reminded those present to pray for the souls of the faithful departed, especially during these last few weeks of the Church’s liturgical calendar when the texts for the Holy Liturgy during this time speak of the passing of the present world.

The installation ceremony itself took place at the end of Mass during which Canon Coggeshall publicly made a Profession of Faith and An Oath of Fidelity to the Church.  Additionally, he signed the official Decree of Possession of the Oratory.  

There was a reception afterwards during which His Excellency expressed his appreciation of the apostolate exercised by the Institute of Christ the King in the Rockford diocese at St. Mary Oratory.  He was also presented with a gift from the Oratory in gratitude for his paternal solicitude.  Many of those present were then able to personally greet the Bishop, and he even signed some Mass missals for several young members of the Oratory Faithful!

Thank you, Bishop Malloy, for a memorable visit!