The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels provided the setting for the solemn investiture ceremony for Dames and Knights Commanders of the Order of St. Gregory the Great March 11.

The Order of St. Gregory was instituted in 1831 by Pope Gregory XVI and honors those who have "promoted the interests of society, the Church and the Holy See." It was Pope Gregory who created the Diocese of Both Californias on April 30, 1840, and appointed its first bishop, Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno.

Honorees received their crosses from Cardinal Roger Mahony, who said, "Accept this cross and the call to apostolic service which it signifies." To which recipients replied, "Amen."

In his homily, the cardinal reminded members of their call to a special role of service to the church and its priests. It is role that is not easy, he told them, a role that is challenging and countercultural. "We are called to look upon the face of Jesus in a special way," he said, "that we can bring light into darkness, to be the light of Christ, to be artisans of peace and justice in the world."

The honorees:
Dame Commanders: Kathleen Aikenhead, Margaret Auth, Vivian Burgess, Jane Castruccio, Michele Crahan, Lois Erburu, Maude Ferry, Norma Gonzales, Maria Grant, Therese Grojean, Marjorie Illig, Margaret Jagels, Frances Morehart, Patricia Paumier, Joan Payden and Patricia Smith.
Knight Commanders: Robert Ahmanson, Christopher Alders, Joseph Brown, Stanley Chambers, Michael Feeley, Michael Hennigan, Michael Joseph, Gary Krauss, Thomas Larkin, Allen Lund, Charles Norman, Thomas Romano, Hilmar Rosenast, Edward Roski, Timothy Smith, Clyde Von der Ahe and William Wardlaw.
Dame Commanders with Star: Helen Close and Dorothy Shea.
Knight Commanders with Star: Robert Erburu, Stanley Hayden and Robert A. Smith, III.