Ordained and Sent Forth

Editor’s Note: Missioner Patrick Montine shares his experience during a priesthood ordination in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

A little while ago, I was afforded the opportunity to attend a priesthood ordination in Montego Bay, Jamaica. It was a very unique and special event to see.  This was the first ordination that the bishop of this diocese has done since he was named the bishop, so the event was very crowded.

This was also my first time attending an ordination, so I was excited to see what would happen. The process is very important and the most important parts are the laying of the hands by the bishop and the blessing of the Holy Oils.

The bishop laid his hands on the ordained and prayed the prayer of consecration and invoked the Holy Spirit. Then, all the priests of the Diocese came  and prayed over the priest-to-be. This was a very powerful moment for me because when the priests were done praying, they all stood behind the altar together, bringing the physical presence of all the priests in the Diocese together.

The priests in the Diocese

Another critical part of the ordination was when the new priest was marked with the sign of the Chrism with the oils that had been blessed. This was done in preparation for the priest’s first celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist. Then, the priest changed to a stole and chasuble, the attire  of a priest, to symbolize the change of positions.

Finally, we as a church prayed the Litany of the Saints, which is a prayer to all of Heaven to pray for the Church and the newly ordained. It is a very long but powerful prayer during which we ask many saints and angels  to pray for us.

The Litany of the Saints reminded me that when we come to Church for Mass, for a brief moment, we touch heaven as the saints and angels come and pray with us. Through this prayer, we are gathered with our Catholic Community to pray together, but are also united with the Community of Saints. The Saints can transform our lives but we have to let them in, just like we let in our new priest to  the Diocese. Our lives can be transformed; all we have to do is say yes. So, I encourage you during this month of May to listen and say yes and pray to Mary the Queen of Heaven to transform your  lives.

Reflection Question: What is holding you back from saying yes to God working in your life?