Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained seven men to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington June 6. The newly ordained are: Fathers James M. Harbour, YA; Donghan S. Lee; Sean E. Mazary, YA; Eric M. McDade, YA; Alexander J. Solsma; Teko G. Teko-Agbo; and Aaron F. Zanca.
Each ordinand’s vocation story is unique: One was a former radio sportscaster, two others had moved to the U.S. from South Korea and Togo. One found his calling while serving behind the counter of a Wegmans pizza shop; another heard it in the confession line of his lifelong Manassas parish. One began his seminary journey in Spain; another worked in ministry for a decade-plus before he realized God was calling him to serve in a different way. Yet these different stories share one outcome: God’s irresistible call to the priesthood.
The ordination Mass was concelebrated by Bishop Emeritus Paul S. Loverde, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia Christopher R. Cooke, and Msgr. Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, permanent observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States.
“This wonderful group of deacons always felt free to offer me suggestions,” Bishop Burbidge began his homily. “So, they were thinking today, since seven are being ordained, maybe I could grant them seven additional weeks of vacation, or maybe the homily could be seven minutes long.” The congregation laughed as he added, “That’s a no to both.”
“We gather in faith and with great joy on this blessed day, when through the imposition of hands and the prayer of ordination and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, these seven deacons, your sons and grandsons, family members and friends, will be ordained our newest priests,” he continued.
The ordination of the seven comes at a poignant moment in the church today, Bishop Burbidge said. “They are ordained at an exciting time in the life of the Church as we have recently received Pope Leo’s first encyclical, ‘Magnifica Humanitas,’ as the bishops of the United States next week will consecrate our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and as we prepare for the canonization of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. By God’s providence, my dear sons, I believe these events provide important guidance for you and your priestly ministry, namely, to rebuild and to remain.”
Bishop Burbidge warned the seven of new challenges they would face in the modern age of the church. “In this age of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, there are some warnings, because so often humanity is dehumanized, falsehoods are spread, and even artificial companions are offered to us for life’s journey,” he said. “Our Holy Father says to you and to all of us in this day and age, we cannot be spectators or commentators for what is troubling. Instead, Pope Leo says we must be willing to enter into the construction sites of history ‘to rebuild what has collapsed and protect what is threatened.’ ”
But even in this time of uncertainty, “by the grace of God, the church is perfectly prepared for this moment,” Bishop Burbidge said, emphasizing that the Gospel will give the truth that the church needs “to rebuild all in our world and our church and our very lives that need repair.”
Addressing the seven, he continued, “My dear sons, you participate in this work, in this rebuilding, through your priestly ministry as you effectively preach the Gospel in all of its beauty, as you reverently and joyfully celebrate the sacraments; as you humbly serve the poor, the sick, and those who are suffering physically and emotionally; as you pray fervently each day, including the Liturgy of the Hours and strive daily, as St. Paul says, ‘to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received.’ ”
He offered a quote from Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who will be beatified Sept. 24: “The priest is not his own.”
“So, you must give your entire life to the Lord and his church, as you are faithful to the promise of celibacy, as you give of yourself selflessly, sacrificially, without counting the costs, and as you’re willing to unite yourself to the Lord on the cross,” he said. “As his beloved sons and soon-to-be priests, how essential it will be for you to draw ever close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to whom our nation will be consecrated next week.”
Bishop Burbidge then congratulated the seven on a happy coincidence. “How wonderful you will be celebrating your first Mass of Thanksgiving on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,” he said, “for the Eucharist must be at the center of your life.”
The ordinandi then stood before Bishop Burbidge, who addressed them: “Dear sons, before you proceed to the order of the priesthood, you must declare before the people your resolve to undertake this office.” The seven then promised to faithfully live the office of the priesthood, preach the Gospel and teach the faith, reverently celebrate the sacraments, pray for their flocks, and unite themselves closer to Christ daily.
Kneeling before Bishop Burbidge and placing their hands in his, each ordinand made Promises of Obedience to him and his successors. In an act of total surrender and humility, they prostrated themselves before the altar, as the litany of supplication was sung.
The moment of ordination had come. Each man knelt before Bishop Burbidge, who laid his hands on their heads. Each of the concelebrating priests processed by the seven, doing the same. Bishop Burbidge then prayed the prayer of ordination.
Diocesan priests assisted the newly ordained in donning a priest’s stole and chasuble. The new priests knelt once more before Bishop Burbidge, who anointed the palms of their hands with chrism. They washed their hands, then returned to Bishop Burbidge, who placed a chalice of wine and a paten with bread into their hands, saying, “Receive the oblation of the holy people to be offered to God. Understand what you will do, imitate what you will celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.” He then offered the new priests the fraternal kiss, followed by each of the concelebrating priests.
The liturgy of the Eucharist followed, and for the first time, the seven men uttered the words of consecration. At the end of the Mass, they gave their first blessings to Bishops Burbidge, Loverde and Cooke. “Through the goodness of the Lord, we have seven new priests,” Bishop Burbidge announced to the faithful, who burst into a lengthy applause.
The aftermath of the Mass was one of emotional tears and many first blessings by the newly ordained priests.
Ileana Harbour, mother of newly ordained Father Harbour, said that for the past week, she had been shedding many tears. “This cry is of joy,” she said. She recalled a fond memory of her son when he was 6, and told her he wanted to be a priest one day. She said he would play “Mass,” pretending to be a priest with crackers and fruit juice.
Ileana said that as a mother, she offers all her children up to God, but particularly her son as he enters the priesthood. “My hope for my son is that he will always be faithful, that he will always be patient, that he will bring many, many people to Christ,” she said.
Family members of Father Teko-Agbo demonstrated their enthusiastic support with shirts and dresses made out of a personalized fabric that included images of both St. Rita of Cascia — a favorite saint of his — and his own diocesan portrait. “It’s very moving,” Father Teko-Agbo said.
He said the night before felt surreal. “I was able to sleep for maybe a couple of hours,” he said. But the moment Bishop Burbidge laid his hands on him, everything shifted: “All these moments that we’ve been preparing for — it’s the culmination.”
Father Zanca shared Father Teko-Agbo’s initial nerves. “Yesterday, I was nervous,” he said. “But then this morning, there was total peace.”
He said he felt overwhelmed as he processed into the cathedral. As he lay prostrate before the altar, he once again felt that peace. He said that the ordination rite itself, with the laying on of hands, was an unforgettable experience. Even after the conclusion of the Mass, “I can still smell the holy chrism on my hands,” he said, reflecting upon the priesthood he now shares with his brother diocesan priests. “Each and every priest laying (their) hands down on me … helping to bring the Holy Spirit down upon me is really amazing.”
