Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained two men to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Church in Gainesville June 1: Father Sean Nypaver and Father James R. Joseph. Among the many concelebrants were Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde and Bishop Christopher R. Cooke, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and dean of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, Pa.
In his homily, Bishop Burbidge joked that while this year’s priesthood ordination class was smaller as compared to previous years, “Our two deacons, soon to be ordained priests, reminded me that this year is not about quantity, but quality.”
The day’s rite of ordination continues the church’s apostolic succession of the priesthood, Bishop Burbidge said. “For in just a few moments, with the imposition of hands and the prayer of ordination, the handing on of the ministerial priesthood will be accomplished by an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. These two men will go forth into the world in the name of Our Lord, Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest,” he said.
He reminded the two ordinandi to live out their priestly promises daily through prayer and sacrifice. “The rite of ordination reminds you today of what the Lord and his church expect of you. You are called to proclaim the truth and joy of the Gospel, remembering what St. Paul says: We preach not ourselves, but Jesus Christ Our Lord. You are to be a faithful steward of the sacred mysteries, so that God’s people may be renewed in waters of baptism and nourished with the gift of the Eucharist; so that sinners may be reconciled, and the sick raised up,” he said.
The sacramental graces conferred in holy orders will sustain men in the priesthood, Bishop Burbidge said. “Deacon James and Deacon Sean, always remember that the most precious gift that you give your parishioners is that time you spend each day with the Lord before the Blessed Sacrament. For there, in his presence, you will find all the help and graces you need to carry out loving and humble service to the Lord and his people.”
The rituals within the rite of ordination demonstrate the spiritual transformation that the two men undergo in the sacrament.
The men stood and professed their priestly promises to serve Christ’s flock, defend the church’s teachings, reverently celebrate the sacraments, and consecrate their lives to God. They prostrated themselves before the altar in an act of total humility and self-surrender to God. Following the litany of supplication, the ordinandi knelt as Bishop Burbidge placed his hands upon the men’s heads, invoking the Holy Spirit to come and bestow upon their souls the spiritual character of the priesthood. The concelebrating priests followed, placing their hands over the ordinandi’s heads.
With the assistance of Father William P. Saunders, diocesan episcopal vicar for faith formation and pastor of St. Agnes Church in Arlington, and Father Vincent P. Bork, parochial vicar of Holy Trinity, the ordinandi stood and donned the priestly stole and chasuble.
Bishop Burbidge then anointed the ordinandi’s hands with holy chrism. The ordinandi knelt before Bishop Burbidge as he placed a paten of bread and a chalice of wine in the hands of each, symbolizing the centrality of the Eucharist in their priesthood. Bishop Burbidge gave the newly ordained the fraternal kiss, as did the concelebrating priests.
The new priests then joined the bishops upon the altar to celebrate the liturgy of the Eucharist.
Following Mass, Father Joseph and Father Nypaver offered their first blessings to their parents and families and then to the faithful lined up outside.
Father Joseph described the spiritual transformation of the sacrament. “It’s a great joy to have the Holy Spirit rush upon you the way it has at this wonderful ordination. I give great thanks to God that I’ve received such great gifts and abundant generosity,” he said.
After ordination, the first word that came to mind for Father Nypaver was “gift.”
“Everything is a gift from God, and even we ourselves are a gift from him, because he created us. Everything that he gives us is an abundance of his grace, especially the holy priesthood,” he said. “So, as I was laying on the floor, I was just thinking of the saints who are praying for me, and all of you who were asking them to, and I was so grateful.”
Father Joseph celebrated his first Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, June 2 at St. Agnes. He will be parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax. Father Nypaver celebrated his first Mass the same day at St. John the Baptist Church in Front Royal. He will be parochial vicar of St. Timothy Church in Chantilly.
This story has been updated.
