Most dioceses in Canada have just come off celebrating the most important liturgical time in their calendar, that being Easter.

But for one diocese on the west coast, the celebration continued as parishioners and lay faithful of Prince George, British Columbia welcomed Msgr. Stephen Jensen as their new bishop. This came on Tuesday, April 2 inside Prince George's Sacred Heart Cathedral.

On January 3, 2013, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Jensen, then Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver, as Bishop of the Diocese of Prince George. He succeeds Gerald Wiesner, OMI, who, after over 19 years, offered his resignation to the Holy Father when he reached the age of 75, as required by canon law.

Having been ordained in May of 1980, Jensen never thought he would be in this particular position. I had the chance to sit down with him, just hours before his ordination to the episcopate. He shared with me his thoughts on the episcopate, his priestly ministry and the life of the Church in Canada and the world, to name a few. In those precious moments I had with him, I saw for myself a man who is truly in touch with his faith and the Church's call for a new evangelization. I can definitely say that the people of Prince George have an incredible shepherd, wise pastor and beautiful friend in Bishop Jensen. Stay tuned as we bring you the full length of that interview.

The Most Reverend J. Michael Miller, CSB, Archbishop of Vancouver was the Principal Consecrator of the Mass, alongside Bishops David Monroe of Kamloops, British Columbia and Brian Dunn of Antigonish, Nova Scotia who served as co-consecrators. Both Monroe and Dunn were classmates of Jensen in seminary.

Salt + Light Television is pleased to bring you the Mass of Ordination and Installation of Bishop Stephen Jensen on Thursday, Apr. 11, 2013 at:

8:30 pm ET/5:30 pm PT
Repeat: 12:30 am PT/9:30 pm PT

The Mass will repeat, once again, the following day (April 12) at:

12:00pm ET/9:00am PT.

To learn more about Canada's newest bishop, visit the diocese of Prince George's website. As we give thanks to God for this Mass of Ordination that will soon air on our network, I give thanks to Salt + Light and the diocese for allowing me to be a part of this incredible celebration. For me personally, I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend my Easter. Deo gratias. Alleluia!

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Credit: Rebecca Gilbert/Prince George