"As the pastor of this holy house, I will accomplish my task only with the help of God," Msgr. Moroney said. "I will seek to be gentle and humble and faithful and true. Like the Good Shepherd...I will seek to know my sheep and invite them to know me. I will seek out the lost and bind up their wounds and carry them home. I will lay down my life...and protect this house from thieves and marauders of body or mind. I will lead this flock of shepherds to good pastures... And I will do it all in union with the bishops and our Holy Father," he said.

After the homily, Msgr. Moroney made the profession of faith and, using a bible that belonged to the first bishop of Boston, Cardinal Jean Lefevre de Cheverus, took the oath to carry out his duties to the Church. He and Cardinal O'Malley signed his oath. The process was repeated with the faculty.

Among those Msgr. Moroney regonized at Mass were Monsieur Pierre-Marie Dumont, founder and publisher of Magnificat magazine, who he said flew in from Paris for the occasion.

He also mentioned his sister, Deborah Galanos, her son, Daniel, and cousins, Sisters Mary and Ann Horgan, Sisters of Providence, who were present. He added that his parents were watching the Mass through CatholicTV.

"We know he's worked so hard and we're so extremely proud," his sister said after Mass. "And he's been such a blessing, not just to the Church, but to our family."

"It was a beautiful ceremony," said Sister Mary. "I think he'll do a wonderful job with the young men."

"Bishop Kennedy has done a fabulous job," said seminary trustee Craig Gibson of Msgr. Moroney's predecessor, Bishop Arthur L. Kennedy, now the archdiocese's episcopal vicar for the New Evangelization. "The seminary is, thanks to him, almost full." He said Msgr. Moroney, who has "abundant gifts," "is a star in the area of sacred liturgy" and is kind and gentle, was an excellent choice.

"He's got a clear vision on growing the seminary, doing so with the bishops around New England," he said. "He's a terrific guy. We're very excited."