Former Detroit archbishop reads letter from Pope Leo XIV congratulating him on his years in ministry, reflects on many blessings
DETROIT — Archbishop-emeritus Allen H. Vigneron stood at the back of the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, reflecting on how in 1962 he first entered the chapel to begin a journey would eventually span half a century in the priesthood.
It was 50 years ago, on July 26, 1975, that the archbishop was ordained a priest by Cardinal John F. Dearden at St. Clement of Rome Parish in Romeo — but Sacred Heart Major Seminary, the institution where he studied, taught, was rector and now is a resident, was the appropriate place for him to celebrate 50 years as a priest, he said.
Don't miss another story
Did you know you can get Detroit Catholic's latest daily or weekly articles delivered to your inbox? It's easy and free to sign up.
Priests from across the Archdiocese of Detroit, brother bishops from the area, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger — Archbishop Vigneron’s successor as archbishop of Detroit — and friends and family joined him in thanking God for five decades of priestly ministry.
“Obviously, giving thanks for 50 years of priestly ministry is a very personal thing,” Archbishop Vigneron said in his homily. “But your presence reminds me it’s not a private thing, and I’m very grateful for all of you who have come here today.”
Archbishop Vigneron reflected on all the blessings he’s experienced in his priestly ministry, particularly for the people he’s encountered and accompanied during his priesthood.
“My brother priests, bishops, coworkers — I’m so very grateful for my family and friends who are here,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “My brother, John, reminded me that he had an intimate role to play in my priestly formation by being my server when I was playing priest at the age of 11.”
Fittingly enough, Archbishop Vigneron — a native son of the Archdiocese of Detroit — celebrated his priestly ordination anniversary on the feast of SS. Joachim and Anne, with St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, being the patroness of the Archdiocese of Detroit.
“When the Son of God became incarnate to come as our savior, Anne and Joachim were the children of Abraham,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Clearly, they were a necessary part of God’s fulfillment of his promise to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations.”
Archbishop Vigneron said it was just as significant that SS. Anne and Joachim were used as instruments in God’s plan to bring about the salvation of mankind.
“God uses the things of this earth to share the things of heaven with us,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Part of this grace that belonged to Anne and Joachim is that they were not only recipients, but they were also agents in God’s plan; they received the graces of the plan all the more. This style of saving grace is revealed in God taking what is wrong and reversing it. God takes the things that went wrong, and He makes them instruments for things to be put right.”
In a similar way, Archbishop Vigneron humbly reflected, God has taken him and his priestly ministry — with all of his self-described flaws — and turned into a fountain of grace for the faithful he’s accompanied along the way.
“A man’s life and ministry as a priest is rooted in this sacramental ecology, this style of God’s saving work,” Archbishop Vigneron said. “Everything a man has and is, is dedicated to the ministry of serving the Church, the ministry of being an instrument for sharing the divine life by those the priest served. And so, by being an agent of salvation, the priest himself becomes a recipient of that gracious gift of God, and it is indeed a reversal. This is part of the graciousness of God, his goodness, to take an earthen vessel such as myself, and make me an instrument of His saving life.”
Archbishop Weisenburger spoke at the end of Mass, borrowing a phrase from author Peter Hebblethwaite, the famed biographer of St. John XXIII, that “in his life, were we prodigiously blessed.”
“There’s much yet for you to do, but I couldn’t help but think, as I was listening to your beautiful homily, in the last 50 years, have not the faithful been prodigiously blessed?” Archbishop Weisenburger said. “In the last 50 years, have not your priests and brother bishops been prodigiously blessed? Have not all who have been in contact with you in your ministry been prodigiously blessed?
“And now, archbishop, 50 years ago, after you were vested as a priest, they would have spun you around, you would have faced the people, and there would have been a wonderful applause,” Archbishop Weisenburger continued. “I don’t think the liturgists would be too upset if I suggest that applause echoed down through these 50 years.”
Archbishop Vigneron then informed the assembly he had received a congratulatory letter from Pope Leo XIV, which was read aloud.
“To the Venerable Brother, Allen Henry Vigneron, Emeritus Archbishop of Detroit, as you celebrate the golden jubilee of your ordination to the priesthood, we congratulate you for the loving zeal with which you have so diligently worked and for your apostolic solicitude for the faithful,” Pope Leo wrote. “Thus, with your eyes unfailingly fixed on Jesus (a reference to Archbishop Vigneron’s episcopal motto), you have worthily discharged your office and by word and example led the people of God.
“As we extend best wishes, we gladly offer prayers for you, earnestly requesting the good things of heaven through Our Apostolic Blessing, which we cordially impart to you and yours,” the letter concludes.
After Mass, the assembly gathered in Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s Bishop Gallagher Parlor for a reception, where the faithful had a chance to greet and congratulate the archbishop.
Kathleen McCann, a longtime advisor and friend of Archbishop Vigneron's, told Detroit Catholic the blessings God has bestowed upon the Archdiocese of Detroit through the archbishop's ministry have been felt far and wide.
McCann was on the board of directors at Sacred Heart Major Seminary when Archbishop Vigneron returned to Detroit in 2009 after his assignment as bishop of Oakland, Calif., and later worked with the archbishop in a number of other roles, including as chair of the Catholic Schools Council.
“I’m sure there are many, many more ways Archbishop Vigneron will serve the Archdiocese of Detroit and be a tremendous gift to us,” McCann said. “I think Unleash the Gospel and Synod 16 are going to resonate through the life of the archdiocese for decades to come. And having him here at the seminary (in retirement), being able to teach and continue to do whatever work God is calling him to do, he’ll most certainly continue to bear fruit.”
