Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained four men to the priesthood
June 5 at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington: Fathers Jonathan R.
Fioramonti, John Paul J. Heisler, Jonathan M. Smith and Joseph B. Townsend.
With most pandemic restrictions recently lifted, the mood in
the cathedral was one of joy and thanksgiving, both at being able to gather
with friends and relatives to witness the ordination, which Bishop Burbidge
called “a tremendous work of God,” and also “for granting us perseverance and
for remaining true to his promise to deliver us from our trials” during the
height of the pandemic. He added that prayers continue for those who have died
in the past year and those still suffering.
But he noted that joy was the emotion of the day. “I am
still amazed that these four men have first names beginning with the letter J.
So maybe it is not surprising that an evident characteristic they share begins
with the same letter: joy.”
Bishop Burbidge said their joy at being ordained was even
visible in the video profiles of each of the men recorded by the diocesan
communications office, in which “each stated joyfully and proudly: ‘I am going
to be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ!’ And they made clear the reasons for
their joy: because despite their unworthiness, the Lord Our God, has chosen
them, and because ‘by remaining in his love,’ as Jesus says, their joy will be
complete and they will find the grace to carry out faithfully the ministry
entrusted to them.”
“More than ever, our church and world need priests to take
Jesus Christ to them,” Bishop Burbidge said, telling the ordinandi, “You will
take Christ with you wherever he sends you.” He named the four parishes where
they are assigned as parochial vicars: St. Leo the Great Church in Fairfax
(Father Fioramonti); St. James in Falls Church (Father Heisler); St. Andrew the
Apostle in Clifton (Father Smith); and the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria
(Father Townsend).
Bishop Burbidge said he is often concerned “that the men
about to be ordained could be overwhelmed by all that is expected of them by
the Lord, his church and their Bishop! But you will not be, if you trust in the
assurance the Lord spoke to you today: ‘Have no fear because I am here to
deliver you,’ if you constantly call upon the Holy Spirit to sanctify you, and
seek the constant help and protection of Mary our Mother, St. Joseph and all
the saints. Then, you will be filled with true priestly joy.
“I am confident that as you go forth as our newest priests,
those you are sent to serve will easily recognize you, through your faithful
witness, humility and sacrificial service. Be assured that the One who has
chosen you will sustain you and be with you today and forever. Remain in his
love, so that his love may be in you, and your joy may be complete.”
After the homily, the four promised to worthily carry out
their priestly office, preaching the Gospel, celebrating the sacrifice of the
Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation, praying for the people entrusted
to their care, and uniting themselves ever more closely to Christ as his
priests. Each knelt before the Bishop, put their hands in his and promised
respect and obedience to him and his successors, with the words “I do.”
Next came the moving Litany of Supplication, when the four
men lay prostrate before the altar as the Litany of Saints was sung.
They went one by one to kneel again before the Bishop, as he
lay his hands on each of their heads in blessing. About 80 concelebrating
priests did the same. As the four men returned to their places and kneeled, the
Bishop prayed the Prayer of Ordination.
Then the newly ordained stood and clergy assisted each in
putting on their new vestments: a priest’s stole and chasuble. Father Nicholas
Blank assisted Father Fioramonti; Father Donald J. Planty assisted Father
Heisler; Youth Apostles Father Peter Nassetta assisted Father Smith; and Father
Daniel Hanley assisted Father Townsend.
The newly ordained again went to the Bishop and knelt before
him as he anointed the palms of their hands with holy chrism. After they washed
and returned, he placed a paten with bread and a chalice of wine in the hands
of each, then gave each of the newly ordained the fraternal kiss.
Concelebrating priests also filed past again to offer the newly ordained
brethren the fraternal kiss.
The four new priests then gathered around the altar to
concelebrate their first Mass. In a moving final part of the ceremony, each
went to Bishop Burbidge, who knelt before them for a blessing. They also went
to the side of the sanctuary to give a blessing to the two other bishops
present, Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde and Bishop Timothy C. Senior,
Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in
Wynnewood, Pa.
Outside after Mass under four small canopy tents, friends
and relatives lined up for hugs and the traditional first blessings.
One of the first in line was Christine Curran of Carmel,
Ind., maternal grandmother of Father Heisler. She said she was not surprised he
was called to the priesthood because he was “always filled with joy.” As a
teenager, “he was very outgoing,” she said.
Father Smith’s parents, Mary and Michael Smith of Columbus,
Ohio, stood outside their son’s tent, watching him bestow blessings on friends
and well-wishers. “His faith in God is going to spread to so many other
people,” his mother said. “His influence is just beginning,” added his dad.