Last Saturday morning (May 17) the Diocese of Cleveland celebrated the Mass for the Ordination of Priests. Thankfully six men having finished their formation and having received favorable recommendations from the Rector and faculty of St. Mary Seminary had earlier received a letter Calling them to Orders.
The people began to arrive at the Cathedral by 9:00 a.m. as they wished to be assured of getting seats. It was good that they came early as the Cathedral was just about filled by 9:30 a.m.; and by the time the Mass began at 10:00 a.m. there were at least another four to five hundred people added to one of the largest congregations seen at the Cathedral in recent time. The people who came for the Ordination Mass would be characterized as being joyful and happy.
While people were arriving the men soon to be ordained were in the Rectory Chapel with a small group of priests and with me to pray the Morning Prayer of the Church. It was so appropriate before such an event as ordination to the Priesthood that the candidates with the priests had this time together to reflect and pray, especially in light of one of the prayers which was directed to those chosen to be priests with these words: ?May all who have been chosen by your Son always abound in works of faith, hope, and love in your service.?
Being a priest is clearly all about service, service to God, service in His name for His people.
The full cathedral joined in singing the processional which signaled the beginning of the Mass. In light of the prayers and the readings, the homily invited thoughts about prayer in the life of a priest. However, what was said about prayer could just as easily and appropriately been shared with any group of the Christian Faithful.
Pope Emeritus Benedict had invited all the Faithful in the Year of Faith to embrace ?living our relationship with Jesus Christ? to the fullest. Indeed this is what all of us must be all about for we can only realize a vibrant relationship if we are given to prayer. In particular for those who are called to Priesthood the Ordination Ritual challenges them with these words ?Do you resolve to implore with us God?s mercy upon the people entrusted to your care by observing the command to pray without ceasing??
The candidates were reminded that less than seven months ago when they were ordained deacons they had promised to not only maintain their prayer life, but to deepen the spirit of prayer in their lives. Moreover, they were reminded of the obligation they had accepted ?to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours with and for the People of God.?
The Word of the Lord in all three readings presented thoughts on prayer which more deeply underscored for all believers the necessity of prayer in their lives. The section of St. John?s Gospel which was read at the Mass stated, ?Jesus raised His eyes to heaven and prayed, saying: ?Holy Father, I revealed your name to those whom you gave me . . . I gave them your word.? ?
In the second reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we heard Saturday speaking of Christ ?In the days when He was in the flesh, He offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears . . . and He was heard because of His reverence.? Lastly, from the Acts of the Apostles a story about Paul was recounted and at the end of these words was stated, ?When Paul had finished speaking he knelt down and prayed with them all.?
As you can see, the messages on prayer were not only for those being ordained priests, but truly are for all people who desire a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Saturday on so many levels was a wonderful day for our Diocese and for all the Faithful. May our prayers be with Father Matthew Joseph Byrne, Father Gustavus Max Cyrus Cole, Father Christopher Andrew Cox, Father Scott Daniel Goodfellow, Father Ryan Joseph Mann, Father Timothy Joseph Roth. Ad Multos Annos!
(The above column by the Most Reverend Richard Lennon, Bishop of Cleveland originally appeared in the Friday, May 23, 2014 issue of the Catholic Universe Bulletin, the official newspaper of the Diocese of Cleveland.)
