The Mass of ordination June 7 overflowed with moments of
sacredness and humanness.
As Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde laid his hands on the
deacons and recited the prayer of consecration, six men –
through the invocation of the Holy Spirit – officially were
elevated to the priesthood. Seconds later, now-Father James
C. Hinkle’s mother, Meredith, wiped tears from her eyes; a
subtle smile appeared on the face of Father Joel D. Jaffe,
Arlington diocesan vocations director; and a number of family
members and friends of the new priests snapped photos with
smartphones.
There to witness the ordination and welcome the new priests
were hundreds of family and friends, priests and deacons,
Knights of Columbus, religious, and laity. Also present was
Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio of the U.S. Archdiocese for the
Military Services.
Half of the new priests plan to serve as Navy chaplains after
a period of time spent in the Arlington Diocese. There is a
great need for military chaplains, and Archbishop Broglio
said after Mass that he felt “tremendous joy” that these men
had chosen to serve the church and military in this way. All
six new priests, he added, “are a great source of hope.”
Bishop Loverde’s words at the end of Mass acknowledged both
the sacred mystery and human joy of the liturgy. After
listing the names of the men with “Father” in front of them –
Christopher P. Christensen,
David A. Dufresne,
James C. Hinkle,
Mauricio R. Pineda,
Scott Sina and
Steven R. Walker – he said to the applause of the
congregation, “That sounds so beautiful.”
Father Christensen was so overcome with emotion following
ordination that he forgot about this new title. “Hello, I’m
Deacon Chris,” he began to say greeting well-wishers outside
the cathedral. Followed by, “Oh, wait,” and then laughter.
The grace and gifts of the sacrament are so tremendous, it
will take a while for it all to sink in, said Father
Christensen.
“It’s all so amazingly beautiful,” he said. “I’m ecstatic.”
During his homily, Bishop Loverde spoke directly to the
priesthood candidates, emphasizing the importance of being
shepherds of their flocks and keeping the love of Jesus at
the heart of their ministry.
“You will be teachers of the word, instruments of His saving
grace in the celebration of the sacraments, and faith-filled
shepherds guiding and guarding those entrusted to you,” he
said.
Drawing from Pope Francis’ June 6 homily directed at bishops
and priests, Bishop Loverde told the men never to “‘never
forget your first love,’ who is Jesus.”
The rite of ordination, which takes place between the Liturgy
of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, began with
Father Jaffe declaring the men worthy of the responsibility
of priesthood. The bishop then asked them: “Do you promise
respect and obedience to me and my successors?” to which the
men replied, “I do.”
The men then prostrated themselves in front of the bishop, an
ancient posture of supplication symbolizing dying to the old
self and rising to the new.
Following the presentation of the gifts, each new priest
knelt before Bishop Loverde, who presented the chalice and
paten to them. “Understand what you do, imitate what you
celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s
cross,” said the bishop.
After these sacred acts, there was a traditional “fraternal
kiss” of welcome from the clergy present. One by one, the
multitude of priests embraced the six men, joy welling up and
expressed with many bear hugs and claps on the back.
At the reception in Burke Hall after the ordination, the
diocese’s newest priests blessed family and friends, radiant
as they held their arms outstretched over loved ones.
“Today is everything I could have asked for and more,” said
Father Sina.
Echoing nearly all the new priests, Father Walker said
between blessings that it is difficult to articulate the
powerful emotions he felt. “I’m so grateful to God for His
grace and mercy,” he said.
Meredith Hinkle said that seeing not only her son ordained
but also the five other men is “an overwhelming feeling.”
“It’s not just your son you’re watching; we’ve walked this
journey with all of them.”
With men such as these, she added, “the Catholic Church is in
great shape.”
