Archbishop Vigneron joins hosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson for the final episode of Eyes on Jesus. As he prepares to become Archbishop Emeritus, taking senior status and retiring from ministry as the chief shepherd of Detroit, Archbishop Vigneron reflects on the ups and downs of episcopal ministry, expresses his gratitude to all those who have served by his side in ministry, and looks ahead with great hope at the future of the Archdiocese of Detroit under Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger’s pastoral leadership.

(0:22) Hosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson greet Archbishop Vigneron, who is set to retire from ministry as Archbishop of Detroit upon the March 18 installation of his successor, Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger. Before digging into this transition in the life of the archdiocese, our hosts take some time to talk about other important topics from the last month, including a new Lenten message to the faithful and our prayers for Pope Francis’ recovery from illness.

(6:14) Mary introduces the topic for today’s episode: reflecting on the episcopal ministry of Archbishop Vigneron as he enters life as “Archbishop Emeritus,” the honorific given to former archbishops who have retired from their leadership roles. Archbishop Vigneron shares about attending a recent “farewell Vespers” with many of his brother priests.

(8:35) Mary summarizes the “big news” of the past month: Pope Francis’ appointment of Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger as the next Archbishop of Detroit. The announcement came around 16 months after Archbishop Vigneron submitted his resignation at age 75, as required by Church law. Mary asks Archbishop Vigneron what it was like to stay focused on ministry during this interim period, knowing he could be called into retirement at any time. He also recalls the moment he received word of Archbishop Weisenburger’s appointment.

(12:25) Archbishop Vigneron shares his impressions of Archbishop Weisenburger, including his congenial spirit and readiness to respond to whatever God asks of him. He then shares the focus of his prayers during this time of transition.

(17:01) Archbishop Vigneron reflects on the high points of his ministry, including Synod 16. He connects the success of Synod 16 with the foundation laid by Synod 69, led by Cardinal Dearden, during which the Archdiocese of Detroit “made a radical first effort” to implement the Second Vatican Council and establish a culture of lay involvement in the Church. He also reflects on some of the challenges of his ministry, including tackling the administrative tasks and navigating the reality of having “limited resources for an infinite mission.”

(24:04) Archbishop Vigneron shares his gratitude and words of encouragement for his brother priests and the laity who have served alongside him over the years. Our hosts then turn to Unleash the Gospel, the pastoral letter by Archbishop Vigneron that has become the roadmap for the Archdiocese of Detroit to become a Church on mission. Archbishop Vigneron invokes Blessed Solanus Casey in thanking God ahead of time for what the Holy Spirit will do in our midst under the leadership of Archbishop Weisenburger.

(30:40) Mike asks “what’s next” for Archbishop Vigneron, who is retiring as Archbishop of Detroit but will still be a priest and archbishop—now with senior status—serving the local Church in new ways. He is committed to assisting Archbishop Weisenburger in whatever ways he is needed, and also hopes to continue celebrating the sacraments, visiting parishes, and possibly teaching some classes at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. His new title, Emeritus Archbishop, signals that he is “still an integral part of the local Church.”

(35:40) Archbishop Vigneron offers his advice to Archbishop Weisenburger and reflects on the fulfillment of his motto: Aspicientes in Jesum, or “keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.” He answers listener...

Archbishop Vigneron joins host Mike Chamberland to discuss the Sacrament of Marriage, one of the Sacraments at the Service of Communion. Their conversation takes us through the sacrament itself, covers how marriage is reflected in Scripture, and touches on the differences between the secular and Catholic understanding of marriage.

(0:21) Host Mike Chamberland, flying solo without cohost Mary Wilkerson this month, welcomes Archbishop Vigneron to another episode of Eyes on Jesus. The Archbishop shares some highlights of the last month, including the solemn opening of the Jubilee Year of Hope, meeting with Knights of Columbus leadership, and the Christmas holiday.

(4:09) Mike introduces today’s topic: the Sacrament of Matrimony. Archbishop Vigneron begins by talking about the difference between the Sacraments of Initiation (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist), Sacraments at the Service of Communion (Matrimony, Holy Orders), and Sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick). Mike then asks Archbishop Vigneron to provide an overview of what happens during the Sacrament of Matrimony.

(10:07) Archbishop Vigneron suggests there are “two archetypes” of marriage through salvation history: First, the marriage of God in the world, which is inscribed in the nature of the human person, and then the marriage of Christ with humanity in the Church. He clarifies that while the Sacrament of Matrimony can take place outside the celebration of the Eucharist, it is most appropriately celebrated within the context of the Mass. He and Mike then discuss who actually “confers” the Sacrament of Matrimony: the husband and wife.

(14:47) Archbishop Vigneron shares how the Sacrament of Matrimony is reflected in Scripture, beginning with the creation of Adam and Eve in the Book of Genesis. Mike asks about the purpose of marriage, which Archbishop Vigneron summarizes as a way for God’s sons and daughters to fulfill their own purpose and participate in the mystery of communion. Archbishop Vigneron then explains what we mean when we say marriage is “unitive and procreative.”

(26:53) Mike asks the Archbishop to explain why the Catholic Church rejects divorce. Archbishop Vigneron points to Scripture, where Jesus Christ teaches that divorce had previously been permitted due to a human hardness of heart. But now, “we have hearts of flesh, not stone, by the power and grace of Christ.” Archbishop Vigneron then explains how the secular concept of divorce differs from a declaration of nullity from the Church.

(35:04) Archbishop Vigneron shares about the annual Together in Holiness Conference, an opportunity for spouses to grow together in holiness and, for those who are parents, to learn how to form their children in the Catholic faith. He also looks back on a marriage ceremony he celebrated early in his priestly ministry and shares what he most enjoys about celebrating this sacrament. Then, he talks about the witness of his parents living out their vocation as a married couple.

(42:15) Mike shares his own experience of being married for 21 years, learning from the witness of his own parents and other couples in his life. He and the Archbishop then discuss the Feast of St. Valentine, or St. Valentine’s Day. Archbishop Vigneron suggests that while the secular celebration is often focused on romance itself, the Christian focus for relationships should be on love, which remains even in times when romance fades. He and Mike then offer their advice to couples preparing for marriage and those struggling in their marriages.

(48:20) Archbishop Vigneron answers listener questions about his favorite memory as a bishop, how to address others’ doubts of God, and the one thing he’d ask God for if given the chance. He then closes the episode with a prayer and blessing.

Archbishop Vigneron joins cohosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson to discuss the upcoming Jubilee Year of Hope, including the history and purpose of jubilee years, the meaning of the “Pilgrims of Hope” theme, Archbishop Vigneron’s new message to the faithful about the jubilee, and opportunities for pilgrimages within the Archdiocese of Detroit.

(0:23) Hosts Mike Chamberland and Mary Wilkerson welcome Archbishop Vigneron to another episode of Eyes on Jesus. It has been a couple months since our last episode, so Archbishop Vigneron shares some of the highlights of his fall.

(5:43) Mary introduces today’s topic: the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025. Archbishop Vigneron begins by summarizing the history of jubilees, with roots in the Old Testament when the Law of Moses called for every 50 years to be dedicated to the renewal of the life of the children of Israel. The Church’s first official jubilee year was held in 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII declared a special year of grace and pilgrimage to Rome. Over time, the practice was regularized to include Ordinary Jubilees every 25 years and Extraordinary Jubilees proclaimed at the discretion of the Holy Father.

(8:08) Mary recalls attending World Youth Day in Rome during the Great Jubilee of 2000, noting that she was particularly moved by St. Pope John Paul II’s expression of trust in young adults to carry the truth of the Gospel into the world. Archbishop Vigneron highlights the fact that each jubilee year carries with it a special grace for every person, and specifies that while a person’s participation in the jubilee may be very personal, it is not private. It is a communal celebration of pilgrims united in prayer.

(15:09) Mike asks Archbishop Vigneron to share about the theme of this jubilee year, “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Archbishop begins by explaining the nature of hope and touching on what the Holy Father has said about his chosen theme. The group then discusses the power of authentic hope found solely in the person of Christ through the gift of the Church and the Eucharist.

(20:57) Archbishop Vigneron details how the opening of the Jubilee Year will unfold, beginning with Pope Francis opening the first Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome on Dec. 24. Over the Christmas season, he will open four more Holy Doors, including one in a Roman prison. Locally, the Archbishop will celebrate a Mass with the Rite for the Solemn Opening of the Jubilee Year on Sunday, Dec. 29, the Feast of the Holy Family.

(22:56) Unique to this jubilee year, there will be no Holy Doors outside of Rome. Instead, the Archdiocese of Detroit has designated 12 local pilgrimage sites where the faithful will be able to pray the official prayer for jubilee and unite themselves spiritually with all who will journey as pilgrims to Rome. Archbishop Vigneron lists and discusses some of those sites.

(27:49) Archbishop Vigneron introduces the concept of indulgences, the remission of the temporal punishment (the effects of sin that linger in us) caused by sin. Pilgrims can obtain an indulgence by visiting one of the designated pilgrim sites within the Archdiocese of Detroit, as long as they also strive for a complete detachment from sin, offer prayers for the Holy Father, go to Reconciliation, and receive Holy Eucharist within a reasonable amount of time. Archbishop Vigneron then talks about his recent message to the faithful, “Pilgrims of Hope,” and shares his intention to release additional messages to the faithful as the jubilee year unfolds.

(37:45) Archbishop Vigneron answers listener questions about celebrating Mass at his childhood parish and his favorite Advent and Christmas hymns. He then closes the episode with a prayer and blessing.