Chosen from eternity: 7 new priests for the Church
“Tu es sacerdos in aeternum!” On the twenty-second day of June, the month of the Sacred Heart, at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, His Excellency Bishop Tissier de Mallerais offered a Pontifical High Mass and conferred the Priesthood on seven new Ordinands. In the same ceremony he raised five more to the order of the Diaconate.
Hundreds of faithful and numerous priests assisted at these annual ceremonies that constitute a real source of hope in the life of the Church. At the imposition of hands, Our Lord once again brought forth the fruits of our constant prayer “for many holy priests” and bestows upon each ordained a special and intimate share in His Holy Priesthood. Transformed into another Christ, the priest has the power to offer the Divine Sacrifice and minister to the faithful in the name of the Church. The Sacred Heart of Jesus calls the priest to the closest possible union and sets him afire with divine zeal and charity.
“I have chosen you and appointed you that you might bring forth fruit.” Our Lord addressed these words to His apostles and through them, to the new ordinands. Chosen from all eternity by the Divine Master, they must now fulfill their mission of laboring faithfully in His vineyard. Remember to pray for them as they begin this great work; pray also for those who continue to prepare themselves for the priesthood at the Seminary, and that many more may offer themselves for this sublime service.
