Good Shepherds

At Mass of Ordination, new priests called to follow Jesus' model

By JOHN WOODS

During the Mass at which he ordained eight men to the priesthood, Cardinal Egan said that they each "had decided to be Good Shepherds prepared to give their lives for the flock."

Cardinal Egan, in his homily at the Mass of Ordination in St. Patrick's Cathedral on May 13, told the priests he was ordaining them to follow the model of Jesus the Good Shepherd as described in the Gospel reading from John. He urged them to "be Good Shepherds foreverÑknow your flock, serve it at the risk of your own life, and, if necessary, hand over your life," as Jesus did.

As priests, the cardinal said, they would be called to preach the Gospel with clarity; lead others in prayer, especially at Mass and in administering the sacraments; and guide others in works of charity and justice.

Though none of them yet knows what sacrifices and challenges await, the cardinal promised the new priests that they would find happiness on earth and in heaven if they followed the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, in carrying out their priestly responsibilities.

Five of the priests were ordained for the Archdiocese of New York. They are Fathers Guillermo C. Catalan, Thomas A. DeSimone, Joseph A. Nahas, Arthur M. Rojas and Brian J. Taylor.

The three others were ordained for the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, who are based in the archdiocese. They are Fathers Solanus M. Benfatti, C.F.R.; Michael Kmiotek, C.F.R.; and Christopher P. Metzger, C.F.R.

Cardinal Egan was joined on the altar by Auxiliary Bishops Dennis J. Sullivan, vicar general; Josu Iriondo, vicar for Hispanic Affairs and vicar of the South Bronx; Dominick J. Lagonegro, co-vicar of Orange County; and Gerald T. Walsh, vicar for development and vicar of North Manhattan.

More than 100 priests concelebrated, including Father Bernard Murphy, C.F.R., community servant (superior) of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, and Msgr. Peter G. Finn, rector of St. Joseph's Seminary, where all but one of the newly ordained completed their studies for the priesthood.

The rites of ordination at the two-and-a-half-hour liturgy were filled with sacred and poignant moments. Msgr. Finn presented the candidates to Cardinal Egan as worthy of the responsibility of priesthood. Those to be ordained later promised their respect and obedience to the cardinal and his successors.

Cardinal Egan, followed by each of the other priests on the altar, then laid his hands on the head of each of those being ordained. The cardinal then recited the Prayer of Ordination.

The newly ordained, with the assistance of a priest they had chosen, put on their own stoles and chasubles for the first time. After several other rituals took place, Cardinal Egan exchanged a fraternal kiss with each of the new priests to complete the ordination ceremony.

Near the end of the Mass, Cardinal Egan drew applause when the first thank-yous that he offered went to the parents of the men whom he had just ordained. He went on to express his gratitude to other family members and friends who were in attendance.

"Vocations to the priesthood and religious life begin in the family and are fostered and strengthened in the family," said the cardinal, who asked them to pray that more candidates come forward to study for the priesthood and religious life.

One of the newly ordained priests, Father Thomas DeSimone, spoke briefly with Catholic New York after taking family photos with Cardinal Egan and before assuming his place at his assigned station to give first blessings.

Each of the priests had long lines of family members, friends, seminary classmates and well-wishers who gathered for the blessings. The first blessing of each new priest was given to Cardinal Egan who knelt before them in the sanctuary at the end of the Mass.

"The Mass was very exciting. It went by very quickly," Father DeSimone said. "It was peaceful and beautiful."

Speaking of those who were ordained, he said, "We're on a cloud...I was glad to see people so excited."

Rita Nahas, a sister of Father Nahas, said she was "amazingly proud" of her younger sibling. She was joined in the cathedral by their sister, Therese, and brother, Najib, as well as their mother, Leonie, and other relatives and friends.

Ms. Nahas said that the experience of watching the ordination of her brother to the priesthood ranks "up there" with the joy she felt at welcoming her three children into the world.

"I'm so amazingly proud," she said.

Return to CNY Homepage