Prostrate, in front of the altar, this is one of the images that remains most impressed in the eyes of anyone attending an ordination for the first time. Their faces to the ground, while the Prayer Litany was being sung as “a sign of humility and waiting”, as Bishop William Shomali explained. The Auxiliary Bishop of Jerusalem presided at the Solemn Mass at St. Saviour this morning when eight Franciscans received the Sacrament of Holy Orders, and for which we give thanks that the mission Christ entrusted to his Apostles continues to be exercised in the Church.
“Here I am”. Eight smiling and excited young men from different parts of the world appeared before the Auxiliary Bishop. They were accompanied by their families, friends, teachers and fellow students from the pews of the Church, from the altar and from the choir.
Five friars, Brother Zdenko Gruber, Brother Tymoteusz Marszalek, Brother Adrian Maznicki, Brother Salvador Rosas Flores and Brother Roger Saad received Presbyterial Ordination, while Brother Fernando Comparan, Brother Jorege Humberto Espinoza and Brother Antonino Milazzo became Deacons.
“After inquiry among the people of Christ and upon recommendation of those concerned with their training, I testify that they have been found worthy,” Father Custos Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa answered to the Bishop’s question, “Do you judge them to be worthy?” This is the question that opens the rite, immediately after the ordinands have been called. Then there are the promises, with the eight friars stating and confirming that they are willing to take on the commitments of the diaconate and of the priesthood. Lastly, after the Prayer Litany, there is the actual Ordination, with the laying on of the hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
“You are summoned to be witnesses of Christ in every circumstance.” This was Bishop Shomali’s strong reminder to the eight young men, moments before in his homily.
“Being priests means being friends of Christ, but also being summoned to sanctity. The Lord needs men who have given themselves up completely to him, and today’s world with its difficulties, divisions, hatreds and wars is in great need of listening to the Good News. Salvation can only come from Christ, without him life is absurd. You must be examples of this with your actions, even before words.”
The rite ended with the vesting of the Deacons and Priests and long embraces during the exchange of peace on this day which, as the Auxiliary Bishop again recalled, “brings us the triple joy of these Ordinations, the solemn Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Sixtieth Anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s priesthood.”
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marie Armelle Beaulieu
“Here I am”. Eight smiling and excited young men from different parts of the world appeared before the Auxiliary Bishop. They were accompanied by their families, friends, teachers and fellow students from the pews of the Church, from the altar and from the choir.
Five friars, Brother Zdenko Gruber, Brother Tymoteusz Marszalek, Brother Adrian Maznicki, Brother Salvador Rosas Flores and Brother Roger Saad received Presbyterial Ordination, while Brother Fernando Comparan, Brother Jorege Humberto Espinoza and Brother Antonino Milazzo became Deacons.
“After inquiry among the people of Christ and upon recommendation of those concerned with their training, I testify that they have been found worthy,” Father Custos Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa answered to the Bishop’s question, “Do you judge them to be worthy?” This is the question that opens the rite, immediately after the ordinands have been called. Then there are the promises, with the eight friars stating and confirming that they are willing to take on the commitments of the diaconate and of the priesthood. Lastly, after the Prayer Litany, there is the actual Ordination, with the laying on of the hands and the invocation of the Holy Spirit.
“You are summoned to be witnesses of Christ in every circumstance.” This was Bishop Shomali’s strong reminder to the eight young men, moments before in his homily.
“Being priests means being friends of Christ, but also being summoned to sanctity. The Lord needs men who have given themselves up completely to him, and today’s world with its difficulties, divisions, hatreds and wars is in great need of listening to the Good News. Salvation can only come from Christ, without him life is absurd. You must be examples of this with your actions, even before words.”
The rite ended with the vesting of the Deacons and Priests and long embraces during the exchange of peace on this day which, as the Auxiliary Bishop again recalled, “brings us the triple joy of these Ordinations, the solemn Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul and the Sixtieth Anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s priesthood.”
By Serena Picariello
Photos by Marie Armelle Beaulieu