Seven PFIC Students Ordained to Priesthood The PFIC is honored to share the news of the priestly ordinations of seven of our students and graduates! On Tuesday, May 24, Josephite Brothers, and recent graduates of the PFIC, Christopher C. Amadi, SSJ, Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, SSJ, and Michael K. Okechukwu, SSJ were ordained at Holy ComforterSaint Cyprian Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., by Bishop Shelton J. Fabre, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Three days later, on May 27, the newly ordained Josephites joined 70 concelebrating priests at St. Dominic’s Parish in Washington, DC, for the ordination of Dominican Friars Hyacinth Marie Cordell, OP, Ezra Sullivan, OP, Ignatius John Schweitzer, OP, and Austin Dominic Litke, OP, by Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA. The following day, May 28, a Marian of the Immaculate Conception, James Cervantes, MIC, was ordained in Los Angeles by Bishop Oscar Solis, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Preaching on the nature of priestly ministry, Archbishop Broglio charged the ordinandi to identify always with the Truth. “[Today] the ability to proclaim the truth has never been such a difficult task… Depend on the Lord Jesus, who is the Truth.” Concluding he said: “Keep your eyes fixed on the Lord. The world awaits your ministry.” At Fr. James Cervates’ ordination, Bishop Solis recalled the invitation of Blessed John Paul II: “You are answering the call to follow Christ, to act in persona Christi, in the person of Christ. ... But do not be afraid.” Fr. James will return to his native Philippines to work in the missions of the Marians of the Immaculate Conception. In response to his ordination, Josephite Father Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, SSJ, said “I am so happy to be a priest. It is a gift.” We join our joy with theirs and with the joy of their families, their brethren in religion, and the families and friends of all the ordinandi. We eagerly await their ministry! Top: Josephites Ugochukwu Jerome Cletus, SSJ, Christopher C. Amadi, SSJ, and Michael K. Okechukwu, SSJ at their ordination. Center: James Cervantes, MIC, prostrates himself before the altar during his ordination. Bottom: Archbishop Timothy Broglio, flanked by deacons Br. Michael O’Connor, OP, (l) and Br. Augustine Reisenauer, OP, (r) stands with the newly ordained, Fr. Ignatius Schweitzer, OP, Fr. Austin Litke, OP (l) and Fr. Ezra Sullivan, OP, and Fr. Hyacinth Cordell, OP, (r) at their ordination.
St. Dominic Icon Honors Dean O’Donnell
Thanks to the generous support of anonymous donors, a specially commissioned icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary with St. Dominic now hangs in the vestibule of the PFIC Academic Center. Blessed by Archbishop Pietro Sambi following the 2011 Commencement Exercises, the icon is dedicated in honor of Fr. Gabriel O’Donnell, OP, dean of the PFIC, for the 40th Anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Virginia based Iconographer, Ioana Belcea (pictured with Fr. O’Donnell and Archbishop Sambi, right), created this icon inspired by the vision of Mary giving the Rosary to St. Dominic. When approaching the subject, Ms. Belcea decided to represent the Virgin in the traditional Byzantine style, with sharp flat features, and rigid folds in her wine-colored gown. But St. Dominic is drawn in a more realistic style. Remarking on this difference in representation, Ms. Belcea said, “I wanted Mary to have the feeling of permanence, not of something that is passing.” Mary is looking not at St. Dominic, but at the viewer, because “Dominic’s vision is for us, not for him alone.” St. Dominic, likewise, represents those of us in the world now. His figure, reminiscent of El Greco, has “more motion, more energy, more timeliness flowing from his person. While Mary’s is a state of being that emanates light.” Ms. Belcea said that it was the largest icon she has ever created—taking her nearly 3 months to complete. The frame was made to her exact specifications and shipped from Peru. This is the second icon Ms. Belcea has created for the PFIC. Her Crucifixion hangs on the third floor of the Academic Center. She has been an iconographer for 9 years.
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