Saturday, May 23, 2009

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Congratulations to the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Ordination Class of 2009! For the 9 men who comprise this group, today is undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable days of their lives – it’s comparable to a wedding, both in terms of its theological significance and the pomp and circumstance surrounding the event. Invite only? Check. Formal attire? Required (much to my dismay – I had to borrow a dress shirt from a brother seminarian this morning just to make the cut!). Ceremony and reception packed with hordes of people? Check. All that’s missing are the bride and groom – and, as these men are to be ordained to act in persona Christi capitis – “in the person of Christ, the head” – to serve his bride, the church, it’s not unfair to say that they are, in a certain sense, the “groom” at this “wedding” (this is, by the way, one of the reasons the Catholic Church only ordains men to priesthood. A woman can’t be a groom!). They are called “Father” as a reminder of their role to spiritual guide Christ’s flock to Him; they are to be spiritual fathers to the children of God, and with the entire congregation (laypeople, priests, bishops, consecrated religious, and His Eminence Cardinal Francis George) praying for them, I know these men will, by God’s grace, do just that. They are now priests forever, ordained to be servants of Holy Mother Church! I can think of nothing so profoundly powerful and existentially amazing than this. The entire mission of a Christian is to become more Christ-like on a day-to-day basis. If the Catholic understanding of priesthood is accepted, how can one possibly get any closer to the Lord in this life than to be ordained a priest?

Even during my high school days in the minor Seminary, where discerning young men were guided by the Rule of St. Benedict – Ora et Labora – “prayer and work” (hence this blog’s name), I wanted this. I find it no coincidence that, halfway through my formation in the Chicago Seminary system, (6 years since I first entered, and 6 more years, God willing, before my ordination), I find myself at a parish whose patron is none other than the man who prayerfully lived this life, sharing Christ with others through his daily work and prayer. Whether I am attending finance meetings, working with the maintenance team, or singing with the church choir (and tonight, at the 5:00PM Vigil Mass, I did just that!), I hope that the people of St. Benedict parish and I all grow closer to the Lord together! St. Benedict, pray for us that we may unite ourselves to Christ as you have! AMEN!