Booklet for the Mass
Many priests observe the anniversary of their ordination at this time of year. It is a common time for ordinations, probably because Ember Days were common times for ordinations and Ember Days fall during the Pentecost Octave.
In any event, today is my turn. Today is my anniversary of ordination, 35 years ago, by St. John Paul II in St. Peter’s Basilica. That might make me a 2nd class relic.
When this date rolls around, I usually say to myself:
“Well… I made it this far.”
And so begins the 35th year.
On 26 May 1991, the Feast of St. Philip Neri, it was also Trinity Sunday.
It is a wonderful synchronicity that The Parish™ in Rome to which I am so attached, is both the place of St. Philip Neri’s great work and also in honor of the Most Holy Trinity.
It was a perfect Roman May day.
I got up that morning, ate breakfast, said my prayers, and walked alone across town to the basilica, where I entered through the main doors with the rest of the crowd. After that, however, I went to the right, to the nave near the Pietà, where we ordinands vested and waited for the Holy Father. My family members came separately from a different part of town. They had special tickets which brought them very close to the altar. St. Theresa of Calcutta was there, just in front of where my folks sat.
Since we were 60 in number, and from many countries, the basilica was absolutely jammed with people from all over the world who had come for the ordinations, probably some 50k.
You have not experienced the Litany of Saints until you have heard it sung by that many people in a space like that.
I arranged for my grandmother, a convert to Catholicism in her 80’s, to receive Communion from the Holy Father, St. John Paul.
I often wonder what happened to the other men with whom I was ordained. I only knew a few of them personally, since I had been at the Lateran University with them.
It was the first year that the Iron Curtain was raised a bit. A few men were permitted out Romania to come to Rome to be ordained by the Pope. There were some Opus Dei guys ordained with us. Another of the group was John Corapi of the SOLT group, though I didn’t know him at the time. Pray for him. One priest was ordained for the Archdiocese of Southwark in England. I know that one fellow is now a bishop in Haiti.
This day, especially when I review some of these videos and think about what has happened between then and now, underscores the fact that God doesn’t choose men who are worthy. He chooses those whom it pleases Him to choose.
I ask for your prayers today and in an ongoing way for my cares, my health, and my future. Pray for canceled priests.
And please, in a special way, pray for the late mother of a priest, my own.
The sermon from the Mass. The sermon is in Italian and the text is HERE.
I really miss him.
Here are some excerpts from the broadcast of the ordination, which was on national television in Italy. We have the interrogation, litany and the prayer (form).
Imposition of hands.
Congratulations Father! I pray for another 35 at least and then some. God bless you always!
I wish I could’ve lived during his time. I remember, at age 11, when I saw in the Dallas Morning News of his passing and asking my parents what the huge crowd in the front page was all about…they answered, “well son, the pope passed away.”
“Who?” (We were non-denominational/Baptist at the time before converting)
“He leads all the Catholic Christian.”
“Oh…”
Never in my life did I ever think we would become Catholic, much less that I would learn what it even was. Now he’s one of my favorite saints to pray to.
St. JP2…pray for us.
May you have many, many more years Father. You’ve already done so much good with your vocation, more than you’ll ever know this side of Eternity.
Congratulations Fr Z!
You’re in my prayers especially today!
Ad multos annos, Father Z.!
Prayers indeed, that your 35th year as a priest may be greatly blessed, both in the effectiveness of your ministry, but also in teems of personal happiness.
Give you joy of the celebration of such a momentous occasion!
Congratulations! You are such a blessing to all of us!
So begins your 36th year. ;-)
Ad multos annos!
Happy Anniversy, Fr. Z!
Ad multos annos! May the 36th year of your priesthood be a happy one. A priest (EJ) I have recently befriended will celebrate the 30th anniversary of his ordination next Sunday. Please pray for him.
Happy anniversary, Father, and may God grant you many, many blessings. May Mother Mary keep her mantle over you always.
Happy Anniversary!!
I see St. John Paul II with his precise and measured tones and it’s almost overwhelming. Those were heady times, was I ever that young? Congratulations and thank you for being such a gracious host and your sacrifices. We will continue to pray for you and your mother, please pray for us.
Congratulations! What wonderful memories. It sounds like it was a glorious day. Thanks be to God for your vocation and thank you for your prayers! May God bless you!
Why He is the Patron of Joy:St. Philip Neri believed that “a joyful heart is more easily made perfect than a downcast one.” He famously said, “Cheerfulness strengthens the heart and makes us persevere in a good life.”
Congratulations FrZ……you too have a joyful heart overflowing with love of God! Thank you for all you do !
Praise be to God for your “Yes” to His call then, now, and for always. May He grant you many, many more years of priesthood. Thank you for all you do to advance God’s Kingdom on earth, to defend our Holy Mother the Church, and for your faithful witness. Ad multos annos!
The Trinity’s love for you overflows.
“On 26 May 1991, the Feast of St. Philip Neri, it was also Trinity Sunday.” That combined with St John Paul II, grace upon grace.
I like to think in heaven, all those involved are celebrating: St Philip Neri, your mother, family and all the guardian angels involved.
Thank you Father for sharing that grace-filled day with us.
Thank you for dedicating your life in His service.
May God’s Blessing be upon You for decades to come.. I read you everyday.
Wishing you a Happy 35th Anniversary!
Thank you for answering God’s call & thank you for this blog! Wishing you many blessings, graces, & favors (temporal & spiritual) this year!
Please be assured of my prayers for you & your intentions (especially for the happy repose of your mother & her immediate entrance into Heaven).
I will never forget the tears (of joy) you shed while saying Mass at Pope St. John Paul II’s tented chapel during our life-changing pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as you recalled your ordination.
My wife Ruth and I will be pilgrims to Rome, Assisi and Monte Cassino (9/28-10/7). We plan to visit “The Parish” during our free time.