You are a priest forever...

This morning, I had the priveledge of serving as the deacon for the priesthood ordination of Anthony Ouellette and Brandon Farrar. Both were ordained to the priesthood for our diocese at 10:30 am this morning at St. Peter's Cathedral. Archbishop Naumann, in front of a completely packed church, laid hands and conferred the Holy Spirit upon the two men consecrating them forever as priests of Jesus Christ.

The ritual was a beautiful, blessed and glorious event for the diocese. I had the honor of serving as their deacon for the Mass, which to me seems only appropriate. I have been friends with Anthony since 6th grade and we come from the same home town. His sister is married to my cousin, so we are sort of related. Brandon served as the deacon for my diaconate ordination, so is was a joy to be able to serve as deacon for his priest ordination.

For those who have not witnessed a priest ordination before, it is a beautiful experience. Like my diaconate ordination, the ordinands make promises to the archbishop and place their hands in his offering obedience to him and his successor. Likewise, the sacrament is conferred on them in the same way as it is conferred on the deacon: by the laying of his hands on their head and the prayer of consecration. The newly ordained priests, however, also have their hands anointed with the Oil of Chrism consecrating their hands for the sacred responsibility of changing the bread and wine into the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Lastly, they each receive the paten and chalice from the archbishop signifying their duty to celebrate the Eucharist as co-workers of the archbishop.

The Rite of Ordination to the Presbyterate is truly a beautiful and richly symbolic ritual. I hope to post some pics of the ordination on the blog in the next few days. I ask you to offer prayers of thanksgiving for the ordination of Anthony and Brandon and ask that God continue to guide them as they faithfully serve His people. Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 14:34 | link | comments |
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