March 29, 2024

The Diocese of Sioux Falls will see its ninth bishop ordained at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. The Most Reverend Donald E. DeGrood will be ordained February 13 at 2:00 p.m. by Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda of St. Paul/Minneapolis.

Bishop Paul J. Swain and Auxiliary Bishop Andrew Cozzens of St. Paul/Minneapolis will be co-ordaining bishops. The Apostolic Nuncio of the United States, Archbishop Christophe Pierre, will also be present for the celebration.

Due to limited space in the cathedral, the ordination will be a ticketed event. Each parish in the diocese will be represented at the ordination.

Bishop-elect Fr. DeGrood was born in rural Faribault, Minnesota, February 14, 1965, and raised on the family farm nearby. He attended Catholic school in Faribault, graduating in 1983. He graduated from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy in 1987. While there, he felt a strong pull to a priestly vocation.

He worked for several years in the business world and during this time continued to be drawn to the idea of a priestly vocation. He entered the St. Paul Seminary in 1993, earned a Master of Divinity, and was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Harry J. Flynn May 31, 1997.

Bishop-elect DeGrood served first as parochial vicar at All Saints Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, then as a formator and spiritual director at St. John Vianney Seminary. After four years at the seminary, he was assigned as pastor of St. Peter in Forest Lake.

In 2013, Bishop-elect DeGrood was named Vicar for Clergy for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and at the same time, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in St. Paul, and since 2017 until last month, served as pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish in Savage, Minnesota.

How to watch live

  • MyUTV – broadcast and cable
  • youtube.com/sfdiocese
  • sfcatholic.org
  • keloland.com live stream

Opportunities to pray with and meet the new bishop

  • Mass of Thanksgiving, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Friday, Feb. 14, noon, reception to follow
  • Stational Mass, Cathedral of St. Joseph, Saturday, Feb. 15, 4 p.m. which airs as the Sunday TV Mass Feb. 16, 10 a.m. on Keloland
  • Sacred Heart Parish, Yankton, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m., reception to follow
  • Holy Family Parish, Mitchell, Thursday, Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m., reception to follow
  • St. Ann Parish, Miller, Friday, Feb. 21, 5:30 p.m., reception to follow
  • Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Watertown, Tuesday, Mar. 3, 5:30 p.m., reception to follow
  • Sacred Heart Parish, Aberdeen, Wednesday, Mar. 4, 5:30 p.m., reception to follow

What happens during an Episcopal Ordination?

If you plan to watch the Episcopal Ordination Mass online or on television, here is a brief explanation of what you’ll see in the order it will happen. Mass begins as it normally does. After the Gospel is read, the Rite of Ordination begins.

  • Veni, Creator Spiritus: The “Come, Holy Spirit” prayer is chanted.
  • Presentation of the Elect: The bishop-elect is presented to the principal ordaining bishop by two assisting priests.
  • Reading of the Apostolic Letter: The apostolic letter from Pope Francis is read aloud by Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the United States.
  • Promises of the Elect: The bishop-elect is asked nine questions about his resolve to fulfill the responsibilities of his new ministry as bishop.
  • Litany of the Saints: Those present pray the Litany of the Saints while the bishop-elect prostrates himself.
  • Laying on of Hands: The principal ordaining bishop lays his hands on the bishop-elect’s head. The other bishops present do the same in turn.
  • Prayer of Ordination: The principal ordaining bishop places the Book of the Gospels over the head of the bishop-elect and says the Prayer of Consecration. This ancient rite reminds the bishop-elect one of his chief responsibilities is to preach the message of Christ.
  • Anointing and Investiture: The principal ordaining bishop anoints the new bishop’s head with Sacred Chrism and hands him the Book of the Gospels. He is presented with the bishop’s ring symbolizing his fidelity to the Bride of Christ, the Church. The miter is placed on his head, symbolizing resolve to pursue holiness. He is presented with the crozier (bishop’s staff) signifying the duty of guiding and governing the Church entrusted to him.
  • Seating of the New Bishop: The new bishop is invited to take his place on the cathedra (chair), which represents the bishop’s authority through apostolic succession and is the symbol of his role as chief teacher and pastor of the local church.
  • The Fraternal Kiss: The new bishop receives the fraternal kiss from the ordaining bishop and from the bishops present.

The Mass continues as usual, marking the completion of the Rite of Ordination.