A mild summer morning greeted guests at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Lake Ridge Aug. 13, the location of this year’s Mass for Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders.
During the Mass, James Harbour, Donghan Lee, Sean Mazary, Eric McDade, Alexander Solsma and Nicholas Young committed to move forward in their studies for the priesthood. Having finished their philosophical studies, they will now focus on theological studies. The Mass is the church’s formal reception of the men as candidates for ordination.
During the Rite of Admission to Candidacy, Father Michael C. Isenberg, diocesan vocations director, called each man by name. Each responded “present” and stood before Bishop Michael F. Burbidge. They promised to complete their preparation for priestly ministry and form their minds and hearts to serve Christ and the church.
During his homily, Bishop Burbidge emphasized how essential it is to listen to the Lord.
“The Lord speaks to us in countless ways, most especially in the Word made flesh, in sacred Scripture, in silence, in the countless miraculous signs around us each day and, of course, in and through his church,” he said. “That is why some of our seminarians are here today to be admitted to Candidacy for Holy Orders — because the Lord has spoken, called them forth through his church and his instruments.”
He encouraged the seminarians to have both feet firmly planted in the formation program. “You cannot be lukewarm,” said Bishop Burbidge. “You cannot compromise. You must give God your very best.”
Young, a seminarian from St. Theresa Church in Ashburn, was one of the six candidates. He said the main reason he wants to be a priest is because Jesus called him.
“He called me by name to follow him and as I’ve gone to seminary, he has really deepened that call, that desire,” said Young. While he has lived out that calling for a few years now, having the opportunity to formally vocalize it and hear the church’s response through Bishop Burbidge was special. “This day has been huge.”
In addition to the candidates, the diocese welcomed 12 new seminarians this year. While these men are still in the early stages of their discernment, their families are no less proud of them as Peyton Olszewski’s mother Reva expressed.
“His father and I are just incredibly thankful that Peyton is so sincerely discerning God’s will.”
After Mass the seminarians and their guests were treated to a picnic in Seton Hall co-sponsored by the vocations office and the Serra Club.
According to club member Mary Petrino, the club is devoted to praying for vocations to the priesthood.
“St. John Vianney said, ‘What good is a house of gold if there is no one with the key to unlock the treasure,’ ” said Petrino. “Our priests hold the key to the sacraments and our treasure is the Eucharist.”
Kassock is a freelancer in Fredericksburg.
