A More Intense Preparation: The Retreat for Ordination to the Priesthood

When our four friars… (their bios/photos)
Rev. Bro. Hyacinth Marie Cordell, O.P.
Rev. Bro. Ignatius John Schweitzer, O.P.
Rev. Bro. Ezra Sullivan, O.P.
Rev. Bro. Austin Dominic Litke, O.P.

…were ordained to the Diaconate last year (video), it was only the start of what the Lord was to accomplish in their lives.

Tonight we had commencement in our chapel within Solemn Vespers. Archbishop Pietro Sambi (Apostolic Nuncio to the United States) was the celebrant and gave the various degrees to the students who completed their studies at the Dominican House of Studies.

Now that the festivities are over, our four brothers have already left to start a more intense preparation: their Retreat for their Ordination to the Priesthood which will take place one week from today on May 27, 2011 in our Nation’s Capital. To become a Priest of Jesus Christ – truly an awesome gift from the Lord!

Please remember our brothers in a special way during these important days as they prepare spiritually for what God will accomplish by configuring them more intensely to Jesus Christ as a Priest.

YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER

Henri Lacordaire OP

To live in the midst of the world with

no desire for its pleasure…

To be a member of every family

yet belonging to none…

To share all sufferings; to penetrate

all secrets; to heal all wounds…

To daily go from men to God to

offer Him their petitions…

To return from God to men

to offer them His hope…

To have a heart of fire for charity

and a heart of bronze for chastity…

To bless and be blest forever.

O God, what a life, and it is yours,

O Priest of Jesus Christ!

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I leave you here with some photos from last year’s ordination (2010):

prostration during the litany of the Saints during Ordinations (2010)

Praying the Litany of Saints for Ordinandi (2010)

Archbishop DiNoia & Acolytes praying for Ordinandi (2010)

The sacrament of Holy Orders is conferred by the laying on of hands followed by a solemn prayer of consecration asking God to grant the ordinand the graces of the Holy Spirit required for his ministry. Ordination imprints an indelible sacramental character. (CCC 1597)