The applause came in waves.
Moments after the apostolic letters appointing the Church of Washington's newest auxiliary bishops had been proclaimed, the congregation inside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on July 7 erupted in applause. As the newly ordained Bishop Robert P. Boxie III and Bishop Gary R. Studniewski processed through the basilica carrying the papal mandates, the applause followed them through the Church's traditional expression of joyful acceptance of the Holy Father's choice.
In the reception that followed in the basilica's crypt, the celebration continued. Family members, clergy, friends and parishioners lined up for embraces, photographs and blessings as seminarians reunited with former classmates and old friends greeted one another.
Amid the joyful reunions, one theme surfaced again and again: Joy.
The word had anchored Cardinal Robert W. McElroy's homily earlier as he reflected on the seven joys of episcopal ministry: the joy of prayer, fraternity, Catholicity, shared leadership, the sacraments, prophetic witness and dreaming boldly for the Church.
"The most heartwarming part of the ordination was seeing the joy of the people in the pews reflected in our two new bishops," said Deacon Jim Caldwell of St. John Vianney Parish, in Prince Frederick, who served as one of the deacons carrying the Book of the Gospels during Bishop Studniewski's ordination. "It was clear they love the sheep, and the sheep love them."
For Andorra Howard, a lay member of the Madonna House Apostolate, Bishop Boxie's ordination represented a hopeful moment for Black Catholics throughout the archdiocese.
"When we see a Black man in that position as a father to us, who has reached this position, chosen by God to shepherd us, it says to all of us that we have not been forgotten," she said.
Her words echoed Bishop Boxie's own remarks moments earlier, when he thanked Pope Leo XIV for sending "a message of hope and solidarity through this historic appointment."
Father Jessiah Rojas – ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Washington less than a month ago – worked alongside Bishop Boxie for two years in the Catholic campus ministry at Howard University and described him as someone whose steady presence brought calm to difficult moments.
"In the midst of everything happening in society, he had a way of slowing things down, helping people see the bigger picture and preventing them from falling into despair," Father Rojas said. "Instead, he helped people hold on to Christ Jesus and, by extension, hold on to hope."
"This is a community that has endured a great deal," Father Rojas continued. "Today they see someone whose voice understands theirs, someone who wants to listen to them and bring what's on their hearts to the table."
In his closing remarks, Bishop Boxie extended that same message of hope to young people discerning a vocation.
"If you have ever thought about the priesthood or religious life," he said, "this is your sign. Take the next step. The Church needs you. The Church needs your gifts."
Father Rojas said visibility also matters for young people discerning a vocation, particularly within communities that have historically been underrepresented. "If you can't picture yourself in that life because you've never really encountered it, it becomes much harder to imagine that God could be calling you there," he said.
Brandon Brown, a deacon candidate from St. Mary's Parish in Piscataway who volunteered with the Catholic community at Howard University, said he witnessed that encouragement firsthand.
"His encouragement of young people to become active in the Catholic Church and to take an active, participatory role has been amazing," Brown said. "What he's done at Howard University to build up the Catholic community on campus has been remarkable."
Bishop Boxie broadened that invitation beyond priesthood and religious life, speaking directly to those who have felt wounded or distant from the Church.
"If you have ever been discouraged by the Church... hurt... disappointed... disillusioned... or have drifted away," he said, "let this be your moment of hope. Let this be your moment to come home. You have a home here. The Church needs you."
Father Matthew Tatyrek of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, attended seminary with Bishop Boxie and was also ordained to the priesthood in 2016. He said little has changed about his friend since those years of formation.
"He's been much the same," Father Tatyrek said. "He has a tremendous amount of energy and a real passion for people who might find themselves on the margins. From my friendship with him, I know he genuinely cares for those who exist outside the mainstream and wants to accompany them."
That compassion, he added, is rooted in Bishop Boxie's willingness to be vulnerable.
"When a priest is willing to show vulnerability, especially as a pastor who has walked with people through their lives, he's carrying those experiences with empathy. Then he brings all of that to the altar in the celebration of the Eucharist. That's really powerful."
Linda Kueter, chief of staff at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, where Bishop Studniewski most recently served as pastor, said the ordination united two men whose paths to the episcopacy had been very different.
"They've come from two very different walks of life," she said. "But they're remarkably similar. The enthusiasm they bring to this ministry and, above all, their love for the Church, that's really where everything begins."
Bishop Studniewski brought to the episcopacy 27 years of military service, including nearly two decades as an Army chaplain before retiring as a colonel and returning to parish ministry. Bishop Boxie spent much of his priesthood serving students at Howard University.
For Julius Jackson, a fire service chaplain and member of St. Mary Mother of God Parish in Washington, those complementary experiences are one of the ordination's greatest strengths.
"In Bishop Studniewski, you have someone who comes from the mature leadership of our local Church," Jackson said. "He's been there, done that. He's served in the military and brings leadership experience from outside the Church."
"Bishop Boxie brings something equally important," he continued. "He's very approachable. He's very loving, and he has a big heart. I think his charism is to reach out, embrace people and welcome anyone who is trying to find the Lord in the Church."
First Lt. James Mawell, an active-duty Air Force officer at Fort Meade who is discerning a vocation to the priesthood with the Archdiocese for the Military Services, said Bishop Boxie has been an important mentor.
"He's been a mentor to me and someone I look up to."
Looking ahead to Bishop Boxie's ministry, Mawell said he believes the new auxiliary bishop has a unique ability to unite people.
"What we can expect is solidarity among all the different communities that make up this archdiocese," he said. "This truly is a beautiful archdiocese."
Adam Brown of Holy Trinity Parish in Washington, who attended Theological College with Bishop Boxie before discerning a different vocation, said he hopes the new bishop brings "a spirit of love, hope and acceptance" to the Church.
"Really, it's that spirit of pastoral ministry and welcome, lifting up all the communities within the Church," Brown said.
Those who knew Bishop Studniewski during his years in parish ministry spoke with the same affection.
Patricia Byers, who served with him on the parish council at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, said his leadership was always rooted in a clear sense of mission.
"He has a very clear vision of bringing the Kingdom of God to this archdiocese and inspiring all of us to work for that, too," she said.
Linda Tavenner, a member of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, recalled how then-Father Studniewski accompanied her family as her son Gary was dying, praying at his bedside and later celebrating his funeral.
"He's on fire with the Holy Spirit," she said. "He wanted people to understand what that meant, to receive the Holy Spirit and to live in relationship with Him."
Ginger Caldwell of St. John Vianney Parish said she believes both bishops will bring renewed energy to the local Church.
"I think they'll bring new life," she said. "It's their enthusiasm and their love of the people. You can tell they truly love the Church, and they truly love the people."
Bishop Studniewski expressed that affection in his closing remarks.
Looking across the packed basilica, he paused and smiled before thanking those gathered as "a beautiful representation of the Church of Washington" — the Church, he said, that he "fell in love with some 40 years ago."
Then he looked out across the congregation and said:
"Look at you, Church."
