We have a new Bishop – the Most Reverend Mario A. Avilés is the ninth Bishop of Corpus Christi

Most Precious Blood Church – the biggest church in our diocese – was filled long before the ceremony began. Many people came from Brownsville to hand over their beloved Auxiliary Bishop Mario A. Avilés to the Diocese of Corpus Christi, and every extra chair was filled. The procession started at 1:45 pm, with altar servers, seminarians, many deacons, and more than 100 priests from our diocese, the Diocese of Brownsville, and other parts of the country. 25 bishops were present – the Nuncio of the United States, Cardinal Christophe Pierre, could not attend because his flight was cancelled due to the winter storm.
 
Bishop Michael Mulvey introduced the new bishop and reminded him of the need to be united: “Where two or three are gathered in my name” (see Mt 18:20) is Jesus’ mandate to bring the Church ahead.
 
During the Rite of Canonical Possession, Archbishop Joe Vázquez of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston read the Apostolic Letter of Appointment issued by Pope Leo XIV. He asked Bishop Mario Avilés if he accepted the call of the Holy Spirit and the governance of the people in the diocese. He accepted and first showed the Papal Bull of his appointment to the bishops, then to the priests, and finally to the faithful. After the certification, Archbishop Vázquez led Bishop Avilés to the Cathedra – by sitting on the Bishop’s Chair, he formally took possession of the Diocese. Representatives of the priests, deacons, parishes, and various ministries of the diocese greeted the bishop before the Mass continued.
 
In his first homily, Bishop Avilés, referring to the name of our diocese and the Church where his installation took place, emphasized that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Christian life. “As I stand before you as your new Bishop, it is a new chapter in the Diocese of Corpus Christi – let’s embark on the journey together,” he continued.
 
He chose as the Gospel John 21:15-19, in which the risen Jesus asked Peter three times whether he loved him. After Peter affirmed, Jesus said, “Feed my lambs” and “Tend my sheep.” The bishop asked the people, “Pray for me that my love for the Lord grows and that I will lead faithfully,” and invited everyone to “labor together to serve the people of God.”
 
His parents, who had come from Mexico City, brought the gifts for the Eucharistic celebration, as they had done at his ordination as a priest and as a bishop. After the solemn Mass, everyone was invited to a reception in the gym with refreshments, the chance to take pictures with the new bishop, and to receive his special blessing.