Bishop Raymond Goedert laid to rest

Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist of Chicago Alicia Torres and Stephanie Baliga look over pictures at the wake of Auxiliary Bishop emeritus and former vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago Raymond E. Goedert at St. Barnabas Parish on Dec. 17, 2023. Bishop Goedert served as pastor of St Barnabas. (Brian Brach/Chicago Catholic)

A couple look over pictures at the wake of Auxiliary Bishop emeritus and former vicar general for the Archdiocese of Chicago Raymond E. Goedert at St. Barnabas Parish on Dec. 17, 2023. Bishop Goedert served as pastor of St. Barnabas. (Brian Brach/Chicago Catholic)

Father Andy Matijevic, associate pastor of Holy Name Cathedral, blesses the casket of Auxiliary Bishop Raymond E. Goedert during the Rite of Reception at Holy Name Cathedral on Dec. 18, 2023. Bishop Goedert, 96, died Dec. 9. He was a priest since 1952 and an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Chicago since 1991. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich visits the casket of Bishop Goedert before Mass begins. (Deacon Randy Belice /Chicago Catholic)

Bishops process into the cathedral for the start of the funeral Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Priests and deacons process into the cathedral for the start of the funeral Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Members of funeral home staff lay the pall over the casket before the start of his funeral Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic

Deacon Dan Welter proclaims the Gospel. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Father Scott Donahue gives the homily. Donahue, president and CEO of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, met Bishop Goedert when he was assigned to be associate pastor of St. Barnabas Parish in the Beverly neighborhood after being ordained in 1982. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Donahue gives the homily. Donahue recalled Bishop Goedert boasting. “If he had one fault, it was that he would brag too much,” Donahue said. “He would brag about his love for God. He would brag about his siblings, about his nieces and nephews. He would brag about his love for the church and his life as priest. He was always about others.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Family and friends listen to the homily during Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich accepts the gifts. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Fathers Marek Smolka and William Corcoran, interim vicars for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the archdiocese's auxiliary bishops join Cardinal Cupich for the eucharistic prayer during the funeral Mass on Dec. 18, 2023, at the cathedral. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich leads the congregation in the “Our Father.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Auxiliary Bishop Bob Lombardo distributes Communion. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Chicago Auxiliary Bishops Bob Lombardo and Mark Bartosic distribute Communion. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Priests reflect near a photo of Bishop Goedert. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich reads a letter of condolence from Cardinal Pietro Perline, Secretary of State for the Holy See, at the end of Mass. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich incenses the casket during the concluding rite. “In this holy season, we hear the words that, ‘The word became flesh and God pitched his tent in our midst.’ I think that phrase, God pitching his tent, is apt for describing Bishop Goedert,” Cardinal Cupich said at the end of the funeral Mass. “It evokes words such as loyalty, fidelity, steadfastness, all of which he was. But there’s another word that comes to mind as I think of him in terms of one who pitches his tent. He was fearless.” (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Bishops listen to the letter being read by Cardinal Cupich. From left is former Chicago Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Paprocki, now the bishop of Springfield, Illinois, Auxiliary Bishop Bob Lombardo, Father William Corcoran, interim vicar for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Retired Bishop Francis Kane. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Fathers Marek Smolka and William Corcoran, interim vicars for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the archdiocese's auxiliary bishops join Cardinal Cupich for the final commendation at the end of the funeral Mass on Dec. 18, 2023, at the cathedral. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Fathers Marek Smolka and William Corcoran, interim vicars for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the archdiocese's auxiliary bishops join Cardinal Cupich for the final commendation at the end of the funeral Mass on Dec. 18, 2023, at the cathedral. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Fathers Marek Smolka and William Corcoran, interim vicars for the Archdiocese of Chicago, and the archdiocese's auxiliary bishops join Cardinal Cupich for the final commendation at the end of the funeral Mass on Dec. 18, 2023, at the cathedral. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Fathers Daniel Flens, who served as Cardinal Francis George's priest secretary, Ryan Brady, associate pastor of Our Lady of the Ridge – St. Linus Parish, Robert Fedek, administrative secretary to the archbishop, and Gregory Sakowicz, cathedral rector, pray during the final commendation. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic

Father Daniel Korenchan, associate pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish, Orland Hills, sings the Salve Regina at the end of Mass with fellow priests. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Cardinal Cupich leads a procession to the place of committal at the end of the funeral Mass. (Deacon Randy Belice/Chicago Catholic)

Pallbearers lead the casket out of church. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Bishops from the Archdiocese of Chicago and elsewhere join Cardinal Cupich in greeting the body of Bishop Goedert during the procession to the place of committal. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)