ROCKFORD—After processing into a filled Cathedral of St. Peter surrounded by sacred music and sunlight, Bishop David Malloy remarked that “a day like this” was rather akin to the heavenly adoration described in the Book of Revelation and a reminder “of the glory of God whom we are all called to worship.”
The June 6 gathering for the ordination of two new priests for the Diocese of Rockford was a day “that you and we have talked about for so long,” he said to Ervin Caliente and John McNamara as they sat before him during his homily.
“I didn’t ask you before Mass how you slept last night,” Bishop Malloy said, comparing the potential for nervousness to “a bride and groom about to exchange their vows … making an irrevocable and full commitment of self for a future that is unknown … .
“Don’t be nervous,” he said to the men, reminding them that their response to the final question of their promises soon would be, “I do, with the help of God.”
“With God’s help,” he assured them, “you and we will be more than conquerors.”
The bishop noted some of the joys of priesthood: offering the Mass, hearing confessions and forgiving sins, preaching, anointing, and “the joy of a priest sharing the laughs and the happiness of the parish faithful.”
“In just a few minutes you will join me at the altar as priests of Jesus Christ,” Bishop Malloy said. “You will be changed, conformed to Jesus in a new and permanent way.”
Noting the history of the ancient Levitical ceremony, he spoke briefly of the various steps of the rite of ordination, and added, “Then as now, the presence of your family, of your brother priests and deacons, of Bishop Doran and all of the faithful is a reminder that you are ordained to service. Your priesthood, like the ministry of Jesus, is about others … What fulfills the Levitical priesthood is Christ Himself in you.”
He encouraged the men to, “above all, love the Mass … It is the Mass that so specially joins a priest to the Master and to His care for us … (And) trust the Holy Spirit. Trust the presence of Christ, in you, the Church in the faithful. He told us that He would be with us until the end of the ages. You will not ever act alone.
“In dark moments, make a special act of priestly trust. Never be shy of conveying the Truth to the world. We have challenging days before us – challenging about faith, about religious freedom and about the plan of God for marriage and family based in the unity of man and woman. People will look to you for comfort, for guidance and for joyful leadership. They will look to you for the truth.”
After the homily, the men made their priestly promises, then lay prostrate as all prayed for them.
Bishop Malloy and other priests laid their hands in silence upon them one at a time. The bishop prayed the prayer of ordination, then anointed their hands with sacred Chrism oil and placed in their hands a paten and chalice holding bread and wine.
Mass continued as the parents of Father McNamara and the mother and brother of Father Caliente brought the offertory gifts to Bishop Malloy.
After communion, the two new priests gave their first blessing to Bishop Malloy, and their second to Bishop Doran, and then to their immediate family. Many blessings were given during the reception that followed – along with numerous greetings, hugs and expressions of joy.