Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained 12 men to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 7. An overflow crowd of more than 1,000 attended the Rite of Ordination to witness the second-highest number of ordinations in the 51-year history of the diocese, one less than the record 13 ordained in 1996.
“You will see among them a former construction worker, an engineer, researcher, teacher, attorney, a FOCUS missionary — some are musicians, some are athletes,” said Bishop Burbidge. “These men, uniquely gifted and chosen by the Lord, are ordained at a very exciting time in the life of the church. They are ordained in this Holy Year, this jubilee year of hope…Dear beloved sons, this is the hope you are called to bring to others.”
The newly ordained are: Fathers Timothy D. Banach, Emmanuel Carreño García, Joseph D. Connor, Jordan A. Evans, John Fimmuchime, Raymond E. Goins, Andrew T. Lewandowski, Richard M. Malebranche, John M. Meyerhofer, Christian N. Njodzela, Michael C. Sampson and Alfredo D. Tuesta.
“I’m feeling amazing, ecstatic, words can’t describe,” said Father Banach. “It’s been such a long journey but I felt very at peace today, especially seeing so many people I know and so many people who’ve been so important in my life.”
“My feelings fluctuated from anxiety to cathartic joy to calm,” said Father Connor. “The most powerful moment for me was having my old pastor, Msgr. John C. Cregan, give me the chasuble. That was the most touching and poignant time of the whole rite for myself.”
In the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Burbidge asked Father Michael C. Isenberg, diocesan vocations director, if the men being presented were worthy of the priesthood. Father Isenberg responded: “After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with their formation, I testify that they have been found worthy.”
“That was the greatest honor of my time as vocation director to testify that they have been found worthy,” said Father Isenberg, who leaves his role to become dean of men at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia July 1. “Finishing my time as vocation director with 12 men being ordained to the priesthood is a beautiful gift to the church because it gives us a glimpse of the incredible power of God that is so quietly at work in the hearts of men.”
The night before the joyful day, Father Lewandowski said he had no worries. “I slept extremely well, so praise God for that,” he said with a laugh. “It’s been a long journey and I’ve been reaffirmed in the week of retreat that the Lord was calling me to friendship with him in the priesthood. I feel very much at peace and filled with joy.”
In the Promise of the Elect, Bishop Burbidge asked each man four questions, ending with:
“Do you resolve to be united more closely each day to Christ the High Priest, who offered himself for us to the Father as a pure sacrifice, and with him to consecrate yourselves to God for the salvation of all?”
The elect responded, “I do, with the help of God.”
Moments after making the Promise of Obedience to Bishop Burbidge and his successors, each man lay prostrate as the Litany of Saints was sung, symbolizing “his unworthiness for the office to be assumed and his dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community,” according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.
“It was like dying to oneself,” said Father Tuesta. “When you have all the saints interceding for you. When you know you’re becoming a priest, you’re binding the wood of the cross with Jesus. It’s like a death to self.”
“I’m full of gratitude and great joy,” said Father Evans. “It was a taste of heaven. The voices all around you and the joy of the moment in being welcomed. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
The men proceeded one-by-one, solemnly approaching Bishop Burbidge and kneeling before him as he laid hands on the head of each.
The joyful moment arrived. After Bishop Burbidge prayed the Prayer of Ordination, the choir led the congregation in “Come Down, O Love Divine,” as concelebrating priests assisted each of the newly ordained in putting on the stole and chasuble, vesting the men as priests.
It’s a bit overwhelming, actually,” said Father Sampson. “It was especially good to be there with my brothers who I’ve been walking with for the last six years. To look in their eyes and see them ordained at the same time was a beautiful moment.”
“You will meet people in your parishes who are paralyzed — paralyzed with distress, fear, doubt, a loss of hope, and physical and emotional suffering,” said Bishop Burbidge. “And like Peter and John, you bring them not silver and gold and the things of this world, but Jesus, as you preach the truth of his Gospel in love, as you forgive their sins, bring them the Holy Eucharist, anoint them with God’s healing love, and reverently celebrate all the sacraments. In doing so, you will help them to rise and walk in the newness of life that is ours in Christ.”
Anna Donofrio contributed to this story
