Celebrating Father’s Ordination to the Priesthood
Last week we headed to our Cathedral City to celebrate the Ordination of our dear Deacon to the Priesthood. Watching priest after priest stream into the Cathedral gave me goosebumps, 50 priests in all had come to witness and celebrate with their fellow Brother. The Cathedral was packed, around 200 parishioners from our parish alone had traveled North and the Filipino community was there in strength.
In the Bishop’s Homily one of the topics he discussed was the need for a Priest to have an active prayer life. Our dear friend and assistant Parish Priest (to the right) was Master of Ceremonies, it was only a few years ago we attended his own Ordination.
There are many stirring moments during an Ordination, the laying of hands obviously is The Moment, but when the Priest lays prostrate before Our Lord, that is thrilling, so evocative.
Another special moment is when all the priests individually lay their hands upon the newly ordained Priest, shortly after they again file around and each give him a brotherly hug.
Our new priest Father B, sharing words of thanksgiving to many who supported him on his journey. The children were so excited when he was clothed in his stole and chasuble by our parish priest, they whispered to me, “Now he is Father B, not Deacon B”.
The smile of joy on Father B’s face, it’s worth a thousand words. It is humbling to realise this special young man has now dedicated his whole life to God and to ministering to His people.
*Photo credit mostly goes to Jelly Bean(10) and Anna Maria(20).
4 Comments
An Almost Unschooling Mom
Our youth pastor was ordained this summer in our church as a full fledged minister. It's interesting to compare the similarities and differences in the ceremonies. How great that you could be to support and witness the ordination of a cherished friend 🙂
Erin
AAUM
What were the similarities and differences? It was special and something we and the children will long cherish.
Helena
That would have been amazing to be there for! I wish I could have gone. It was good to read about it, though!
Erin
Your sister and Dad represented you well though:) but yes an ordination is something you never forget!