A joyous but limited congregation filled the Manila Cathedral June 24, to celebrate the installation of Cardinal Jose Advincula as the 33rd Archbishop of Manila.

In a solemn ceremony, Advincula accepted his new role as the shepherd of nearly 3 million Catholics in the archdiocese — humbly pledging to be their faithful and listening servant.

“Let me be a listening shepherd to you all, and let us learn from one another how to listen after the heart of Christ our Good Shepherd,” he said in his homily at his inaugural Mass.

The ceremony, which coincided with the 450th founding anniversary of Manila, began in Intramuros’ iconic Postigo Gate, which was exclusively used by the archbishops of Manila and the governors general during the Spanish era.

At Ayuntamiento, once the city hall of Manila that now houses the Bureau of Treasury, he was welcomed by the mayors of the five cities under the archdiocese— Francisco Domagoso of Manila, Francis Zamora of San Juan, Menchie Abalos of Mandaluyong, Abigail Binay of Makati, and Emi Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay.

The usually grand ceremonies were scaled down to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Only about 400 guests, including bishops, priests, and public officials, were allowed inside the cathedral.

To allow more people to welcome their new archbishop, the cathedral extended the celebrations to four days.

On June 25, the 69-year-old cardinal officiated a Mass with the lay leaders from the 93 parishes in the archdiocese.

In his homily, he called on the lay faithful to be active “pilgrims of faith” and “to be witnesses of God to others”.

The following day, he led the Solemn Vespers (evening prayers) with the consecrated men and women, acknowledging their vocation and contribution to the Catholic Church.

On Sunday, Advincula visited the urban poor community of Maricaban in Pasay and celebrated Mass at the Mary, Comforter of the Afflicted Parish Church.

It has been a tradition in the archdiocese that after a new archbishop’s installation, he visits one area with “special concerns”.