Hundreds of Catholics attend historic mass in Hartford

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Hundreds of local Catholics attended a historic mass Monday morning, during which the archbishop of Hartford was formally conferred in a ceremony at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph.

Parishioners from all over Connecticut came to see the leader of the Hartford archdiocese be given this sacred honor.

Monday’s ceremony was called the Investiture of the Pallium. The pallium is a three-inch wide band liturgical vestment blessed by the pope and worn by metropolitan archbishops.

It symbolizes the relationship between archbishops and the pope. Cardinal Christophe Pierre, a representative of Pope Francis, placed the pallium over the shoulders of Archbishop Christopher Coyne, who has been the archbishop since May .

“Every archbishop around the world gets a pallium from the pope,” Coyne said. “It’s a sign of the pope’s jurisdiction continuing, so it’s a sign of the universality of the Catholic Church. That when I wear it, I’m standing with the pope.”

Coyne was given the pallium by Pope Francis in Rome in June. This is the first time the Investiture is in Hartford. Parishioners said it was important to see the sacred moment.

“It was a historic day, and just getting to bring my son and having him see everyone was really neat,” Emily Naylor of Killingworth said.

Coyne is the sixth archbishop of Hartford. He works to introduce the Catholic faith to people, starting with a connection.

“Let’s just get people in the door first,” he said. “Let’s let people feel welcome. Let people feel this is a place they want to come back to, and let’s start the journey of faith together.”

Coyne oversees parishes in Connecticut and Rhode Island. The Archdiocese of Hartford serves more than 400,000 Catholics.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.