Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained four
men to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 8 —
Nicholas F. Blank, Edouard B. Guilloux, Sean T. Koehr and Christopher W. Nyce. The
cathedral was filled with the men’s family and friends and more than 100
priests who came to celebrate the happy occasion. “This is a day of great
rejoicing for our diocese and, indeed, the entire church,” said Bishop
Burbidge.
Newly ordained Father Blank will be
parochial vicar of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria; Father Guilloux will
be parochial vicar of All Saints Church in Manassas; Father Koehr will be
parochial vicar of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Church in
Fredericksburg; and Father Nyce will be parochial vicar of St. Philip Church in
Falls Church.
During his homily, Bishop Burbidge said
that though the church is facing great difficulties, he has been reminded by
the faithful that the church belongs to the Lord.
“At this time of year in our diocese and
in other dioceses, some priests are transferred, which I always say is a lesson
in humility and reality. I think of my own transfers throughout my priesthood.
From all of them, I heard a consistent statement. Parishioners would say, ‘Father,
we are so sorry that you are leaving’ — and in the very same sentence — ‘and
who’s taking your place?’ ”
“Actually, when you think about it, that
is a great act of faith,” said Bishop Burbidge. “Recognizing that no parish, no
diocese depends on one certain priest or bishop. The care of the parish, the
care of the diocese is only entrusted to us for a privileged season, but it’s
always the Lord’s, the One who speaks to you today, dear candidates, through
the prophet Jeremiah and says, “Have no fear because I am with you to deliver
you.’ ”
During the ordination, one by one, the
men knelt before Bishop Burbidge, as he laid his hands on their heads. He then
recited the prayer of ordination, making each man a grateful priest. Following
the prayer, the new priests were vested with a stole and chasuble by a close
priest friend.
Father Blank was vested by Father
Matthew Rensch, a fellow Christendom graduate who serves in the Diocese of
Burlington, Vt. Father Guilloux was vested by Father Brian G. Bashista, pastor
of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge and former vocations director.
Father Nyce was vested by Father William P. Saunders, pastor of Our Lady of
Hope Church in Potomac Falls and episcopal vicar for faith formation.
Father Koehr was vested by Father James
R. Searby, chaplain at George Mason University in Fairfax. The two men met when
Father Koehr was a senior in high school. “He’s become an incredible friend,”
said Father Searby. “To go from being a son to a friend to a brother is
incomparable. It’s absolutely amazing to know that we’re now both priests
forever.”
The vesting also was a poignant moment
for Jean-Marc Guilloux, the father of Father Guilloux. “You see him as a priest
(for the first time.) Though its only one small part of the ceremony, you can
visualize (the reality),” he said.
As with the other parents of the newly
ordained, Guilloux was grateful to witness this moment in the life of his son,
and in the life of the diocese. “When he was 4, he said he wanted to be a
priest the same way that people say they want to be an astronaut. But it was
significant to us that he would say that,” said Guilloux. “We’ve been in this
diocese for 20 years. A big reason for moving to Stafford was the diocese. The
priests have been role models for him.”
Bishop Burbidge then anointed the men’s
palms with holy chrism. The priests each washed their hands with a manitergium,
a cloth traditionally presented as a gift to the priest’s mother after the
Mass. Family members of the newly ordained brought up the bread and wine, which
Bishop Burbidge placed in the priests’ hands.
“Receive the oblation of the holy
people, to be offered to God. Understand what you do, imitate what you
celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross,” he told
them. Then Bishop Burbidge and the dozens of priests present embraced the new
priests, saying, “Peace be with you.”
At the closing procession, the men
walked down the aisle to exuberant applause from the audience. After Mass, they
blessed their parents, friends and family at a reception in Burke Hall.