While the music, the readings and even some of the prayers are different, the order of the ritual of Ordination to the priesthood is the same. That was clear to me as I concelebrated the Ordination to priesthood of my nephew Stephen, as well as Michael Johns, Daniel Ramos and Joseph Deabagozo last Saturday at Christ the King in Little Rock. The candidates for priesthood made promises to God through the bishop, to exercise their priestly ministry with great devotion, attention and care, and they promised obedience to the bishop and his successors in the office of bishop for our diocese. We prayed the Litany of Saints as the candidates lay prostrate on the floor outside the sanctuary. The bishop then, after saying a long prayer of consecration, "laid hands" on the candidates heads as "THE" primary moment of Ordination as the ancient "passing on" of Holy Orders through the Holy Spirit comes upon the priests and they received the eternal character of priesthood. After the concelebrating priests also laid hands on the priests, the new priests had their hands consecrated by the hands of the bishop with Sacred Chrism, then they were vested with the priests stole and chasuble (the latter of which I put over my nephews head), and after being greeted warmly by the bishop and all the priests present, the bishop presented them the chalice and paten through which they will celebrate Mass countless times for the rest of their lives. The newly-ordained priests then took their place behind the bishop at the altar and along with the rest of the priests, concelebrated the rest of the Mass.
Though it was a long liturgy (lasting almost two and one-half hours), like the Easter Vigil, I believe it flowed in such a way that it didn't seem that long. Those who participated in the Mass are rewarded in a number of ways INCLUDING receiving the first blessing from the newly-ordained priests at the end of Mass.
Right before that blessing, the bishop thanked all those who had any part in bringing these men to the priesthood. I hope you know that many of our parishioners, though not mentioned by name, should surely be included in that number as we have made it a priority to support vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Little Rock. I want to thank you, on behalf of the bishop, the newly-ordained priests (eight in all) and myself, for your prayers and support for these and the others who have been ordained in recent years as well as those still in formation including our own parishioner, Jonathan Semmler. I also want to invite you to reserve the date of Friday, July 27, as that is the date for our annual fundraising dinner for our Seminarians. Our bishop, Monsignor Friend and seminarians will join us and a few priests, including we hope, one of our newly-ordained priests. It promises to be a great experience for all who speak loudly once again of our love for the priesthood and for our seminarians who are preparing for a life of service to the Lord and his Gospel!
Though it was a long liturgy (lasting almost two and one-half hours), like the Easter Vigil, I believe it flowed in such a way that it didn't seem that long. Those who participated in the Mass are rewarded in a number of ways INCLUDING receiving the first blessing from the newly-ordained priests at the end of Mass.
Right before that blessing, the bishop thanked all those who had any part in bringing these men to the priesthood. I hope you know that many of our parishioners, though not mentioned by name, should surely be included in that number as we have made it a priority to support vocations to the priesthood in the Diocese of Little Rock. I want to thank you, on behalf of the bishop, the newly-ordained priests (eight in all) and myself, for your prayers and support for these and the others who have been ordained in recent years as well as those still in formation including our own parishioner, Jonathan Semmler. I also want to invite you to reserve the date of Friday, July 27, as that is the date for our annual fundraising dinner for our Seminarians. Our bishop, Monsignor Friend and seminarians will join us and a few priests, including we hope, one of our newly-ordained priests. It promises to be a great experience for all who speak loudly once again of our love for the priesthood and for our seminarians who are preparing for a life of service to the Lord and his Gospel!