By Julie Godfrey Miller
Catholic Herald
Bishop ordains priest, transitional deacons
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As Barg Anderson kneels before him, Bishop Raphael M. Fliss says the Prayer of Ordination. The prayer expresses the mystery of the priesthood and asks that the newly ordained be made worthy of the dignity that comes with serving God's people. Anderson was ordained to the priesthood June 26, at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior. This was the first ordination in the newly restored and enhanced cathedral. (Catholic Herald photos by Jeff Peters) |
SUPERIOR -- During a special Mass June 26, celebrated by Bishop Raphael M. Fliss, priests of the diocese and visiting priests, Fliss ordained Barg Gregory (Andy) Anderson to the priesthood, and Bernard Michael Byrne and James Patrick Hardy as transitional deacons. The transitional diaconate is the last step before priesthood.
Assisting in the Mass were Arthur Gil de Lamadrid, deacon of the altar, and Richard Peterson, deacon of the book. Among the others participating in the Mass were seminarians Mike McLain and Ron Levra, as candle bearers, and Aaron Kalman as cantor. Sr. Kristine Haugen, OCDH, was the incense bearer. Music was provided by the Diocesan Chorale.
The Rite of Ordination began after the Liturgy of the Word. Each of the candidates for the transitional diaconate was called forward, by name, and answered, "Present." Fr. Andrew Ricci, director of the Office of Vocations, presented the candidates to the bishop and, in the name of the whole church, requested that they be ordained.
After hearing testimony that the men were worthy Fliss said, "Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these men, our brothers, for the Order of the Diaconate."
The assembly signaled their agreement with "Thanks be to God" and applause.
Anderson was then called forward and, after answering, "Present," was presented to Fliss for ordination to the priesthood. Fliss heard testimony of Anderson's worthiness and, using words similar to those used for the deacon candidates, elected Anderson for ordination. The assembly responded and applauded.
During the homily that followed, Fliss referred to the first reading from the Book of Numbers, in which Moses told God he was not capable of leading the Israelites by himself. In response, God commanded Moses to choose 70 elders from among the community, to stand before the tabernacle with him. God said he would put the Spirit on them too.
Fliss said, "Andy, Pat, Bernie, you have been chosen to receive the Spirit of God this day in the sacrament of Holy Orders."
Fliss added that he did not expect them to begin prophesying immediately, but said he would look forward to their love for all the people of God and the service they will render.
Fliss said they were being ordained to the Order of Deacon and the Order of Priest to serve Christ, the great teacher, priest and shepherd. They were being consecrated for preaching of the Gospel, the sanctification and nourishment of God's people, and for divine worship.
"The Lord has given you an example. What he has done, you shall do," Fliss said, and added that they should be men of good reputation, filled with the Holy Spirit and committed to the celibate state so they could cling to Christ more easily, with an undivided heart. "Free yourself for the service of God's people," Fliss said.
On the subject of service Fliss said, "Never forget you are taken from among men and appointed in their behalf to carry out the things of God. ... Keep always before your eyes the example of the Good Shepherd who came not to be served but to serve."
Following the homily, Fliss questioned Byrne and Hardy about their willingness to undertake the responsibilities of deacon. Each of the men came forward, placed his hands in those of the bishop and promised obedience to Fliss and to his successors.
In a similar way, Fliss questioned Anderson about the responsibilities of the priesthood and received Anderson's promise of obedience.
The three "elect" then lay prostrate before the altar and the bishop, while the chorale, cantors and the assembly chanted a litany of the saints and petitions for the elect.
The elect rose and first Byrne, then Hardy, individually knelt before Fliss, who laid his hands on their heads, calling down the Holy Spirit on them and conferring the sacrament of Holy Orders. The ordination was completed with the Prayer of Ordination.
In the two final parts of the ceremony, Fr. Dean Buttrick and Peterson came forward and vested Hardy with the stole and dalmatic. Fr. Eugene Hornung and Gil de Lamadrid vested Byrne. Then each new deacon knelt before Fliss to receive the book of the Gospels. This act recognizes the deacon's new privilege to proclaim the Gospel and charges him to conform his life to the Gospel.
The ordination to the priesthood began with the assembly's silent prayer for Anderson. Then the bishop laid his hands on Anderson's head and conferred the sacrament of Holy Orders. To signify the oneness of the priesthood, all of the priests present came forward and also placed their hands on Anderson's head. During the Prayer of Ordination, the priests were gathered in a semi-circle around the bishop and Anderson. Following the prayer, Anderson was vested with the stole and chasuble.
Since a priest is called to sanctify the people and offer sacrifice to God, Fliss anointed Anderson's hands with holy chrism.
Fliss embraced the new priest and then the two new deacons. The assembled priests came forward to give the fraternal kiss to Anderson, and the deacons gave the fraternal kiss to Hardy and Byrne.
The Mass continued with the Profession of Faith and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
© Superior Catholic Herald, 2005