By Noreen McInnes
The installation of Bishop Michael Pham as the seventh bishop of San Diego a year ago was celebrated in a liturgy that wrapped our diocese in a seamless garment of the mantle of Christ.
“United in Christ,” Bishop Pham’s motto emblazoned on his Coat of Arms, became a reality through efficacious liturgical symbols that brought to life what they signified.
As the liturgy began on July 17, 2025, we were immediately drawn to the dominant symbol in the sanctuary: the powerful yet tender crucifix, with the loving and welcoming outstretched arms of Christ.
Our ears received a symphony of multiple languages layered in harmony. Our eyes took in a divine tapestry of humanity in the assembled cultural communities that mirrored the image and likeness of God.
Though this was a beginning, in many ways, it was also a continuation of the inspiration the Holy Spirit had begun decades ago.
At the age of 13, Bishop Pham and two siblings, and later the remainder of his family of 10, were blessed to have safe passage from the hunger and oppression in Vietnam to the United States.
In gratitude for this gracious gift and answering the beckoning of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Pham said “yes” to the call to the priesthood.
The Holy Spirit continued to plant seeds that germinated in his ministry as the Vicar for Ethnic and Intercultural Communities. He launched synodal listening sessions for various cultures and inspired the vibrant Pentecost Mass for all Peoples.
The music offered another symbol of our unity in Christ. The hymns carefully chosen by Bishop Pham followed the three judgments for good liturgical music: pastoral, liturgical, and musical.
The pastoral judgment indicates that hymns should invite the assembly to sing with full, active participation. Consequently, the hymns were well known and sung in the various languages of our diocese by a multicultural choir.
The liturgical judgment requires that the lyrics and tempo of a hymn accompany the liturgical action and reflect the Scriptures proclaimed. The Processional hymn, “Gathered as One” by Light and Tate, united the assembly into one voice and set the tone not only for this liturgy, but also Bishop Pham’s mission as the Good Shepherd of the diocese.
The Offertory hymn, “Ang Katawan Ni Kristo” by Manalo, is Filipino for “The Body of Christ.” The lyrics “We have come to break the bread; we have come to share our lives. Let us bring these fruits to the table, the love of God yours and mine” describe the liturgical action of offering of ourselves in sacrifice.
The assembly joined in one voice to sing the fitting Communion hymn, “Ubi Caritas” by Hurd: “Where true charity is, God is there … The love of Christ joins us together” was sung as we received the Body of Christ.
The musical judgment implies that musical selections are to have a high level of competence and dignity. The choir embellished the assembly’s participation with four-part harmonies and instrumentation that provided the celebratory nature an installation Mass deserves.
In Bishop Pham’s homily, he drew a comparison between the Mass of Installation and the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. Bishop Pham observed, “Here we are today again in one place together through the guidance of the Holy Spirit to recognize the will of God in our Church.”
He continued, “It is the Holy Spirit who unites us to our Risen Lord and brings us to birth as a Universal Church to go forth proclaiming God’s love and salvation to the world. Jesus was sent to us by the Father to give us his spirit of love; we, too, are sent by Jesus to bring the same spirit of love to the world filled with division and hatred through our active participation in justice and peace, in forgiveness and reconciliation actualized now in the Eucharist. This is what we are celebrating sacramentally today. True love unites in diversity.”
Bishop Pham’s mission to serve the Lord and God’s people is echoed in the compelling Communion hymn he requested,“Tâm Tình Hiến Dâng” by Oanh Song Lam. “What return could I make? Could I ever repay? With my life, O God, may I love as you have loved” was sung in English and Vietnamese. Jesus emptied himself, saying, “Father … not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Bishop Pham also empties himself to do the will of God and models for us to do the same.
As the assembly was sent forth from the Mass to glorify the Lord, we boldly sang out in one voice “Somos el Cuerpo de Cristo” by Cortez and Hurd. “We are the Body of Christ … We’ve answered ‘Yes’ to the call of the Lord … We come to bring the good news to the world.” We received the Body of Christ. We are the Body of Christ. We are now sent to minister to the Body of Christ! The Diocese of San Diego is a living symbol of Bishop Pham’s motto, “United in Christ.” Amen!
Noreen McInnes ended her service as director of the diocesan Office for Liturgy and Spirituality on June 30, 2026.
