In less than 24 hours, Archbishop-designate Nelson Perez will be installed as the 14th bishop and the 10th archbishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Although Feb. 17 was Presidents Day -- a national holiday -- and the archdiocesan offices were closed, there was a flurry of activity at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul and the Shrine of St. Katharine Drexel in Center City, the heart of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Workers were polishing the marble and wood in the church while others were arranging fresh flowers in the sanctuary. Labels marked pews that are reserved for Perez family members. Altar linens were cleaned and pressed. Folding chairs were lined in neat rows in the sanctuary for the bishops, archbishops and cardinal who would be at the Mass and additional chairs were set up throughout the church to provide more seating for the faithful.
A group of seminarians and priests were receiving instructions for their role in the installation liturgy while news crews were taking pre-installation photos in preparation for the afternoon and evening shows.
The archdiocesan communications staff was wrapping up the last details before the big day.
The archbishop-designate spent some time in the archdiocesan offices visiting with staff and taking care of some pre-installation business. He was interviewed by some local Philadelphia TV reporters and was preparing to greet family members who were arriving for the liturgy on Feb. 18.
Archbishop-designate Perez also sent a short video greeting to the faithful in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland (below). Click HERE to see the greeting on Instagram and HERE for the Facebook video.
“I’m still your bishop until tomorrow,” he said, explaining that he was in Philadelphia getting reacquainted with the archdiocese and getting ready for the installation. “I already miss all of you. Pray for me, please, as I begin this next phase in my service to the Church. I’ll never forget you and I know you’ll never forget me. God bless you and peace be with you.”
Click HERE to watch the installation liturgy beginning at 2 p.m. Feb. 18 on the diocesan website.