Shepherds & servants
Diocese rejoices as Bishop O’Connell ordains six new priests Story by Mary Stadnyk, Associate Editor Photos by Craig and Autumn Pittelli
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t was “a wonderful day” for the Diocese of Trenton, said Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., as he opened the June 4 Mass of Ordination in St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, Trenton.
And for the six men who were ordained priests, as well as for many of the hundreds of attendees and well-wishers who filled the pews, it was a day they will never forget. “We are here to celebrate the gift of you…and the gift you give to the Church,” the Bishop said to the six then-Deacons - Gregg Leo Loreno Abadilla, Christopher James Colavito, Augusto Lorenzo Cortes Gamalo, Richard Malcolm Osborn, John Michael Apelado Patilla and Daniel McKee Price – he ordained to the priesthood. For the six ordinands, the June 4 date marked the culmination of years, and, in some cases, more than ‘A WONDERFUL DAY’ a decade of formation. Of the six, three are natives of • Chasubles and stoles for the Philippines, while one hails from Michigan and two each of the new priests lie have roots in central New Jersey. All have had varied folded on a table near the lives, schooling and work experiences prior to entering sanctuary, awaiting the their respective seminaries for the Diocese of Trenton. vesting of the ordinandi. Bishop O’Connell noted the date brought with it added significance – June 4 was the sixth anniversary since his arrival to the Trenton Diocese as a coadjutor bishop; it was the day the Universal Church observed the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and was one day after Pope Francis held a special gathering for priests at the Vatican in honor of the CONSECRATED FOR CHRIST • Bishop O’Connell anointJubilee of Mercy. ed the newly-ordained priests’ hands with the Oil of Chrism, Ordaining Servants, then wrapped them in a maniturgia, or linen cloth. Here, Father Richard Osborn receives the maniturgia. Shepherds
SOLEMNITY AND JOY • The six deacons about to be ordained processed into the Cathedral to the strains of ‘To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King.’ whom were classmates of the ordinands; St. Mary Seminary and University, Baltimore, and St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, Wynnewood, Pa., which are among the seminaries where men from the Diocese prepare for the priesthood; the Archdiocese of New York; the Diocese of Camden, and from several religious orders. The Rite of Ordination, based in Scripture and the rich tradition of the Church, confirmed, instructed and consecrated the six men as they began their new lives as priests. Bishop O’Connell reflected on the day’s Gospel message, which focused on how “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (Jn. 10:11-16). “The history of our salvation has been built on the long line of shepherds, prophets and priests whom God has called by name, whom God has formed and fashioned after his own heart,” the Bishop said. Motioning to his heart, he said, “My brothers, love dwells in here. “God dwells in our hearts and he tells us shepherds to pour its contents out, to lay down our lives” for others, said Bishop O’Connell. He explained that when forming men for the priesthood seminaries have enhanced their curriculum in a number of areas such as Scripture, tradition, theology and canon law, the “things of our Church and of our ministry as shepherds and priests.” See Live • S4
The Diocesan Festival Choir – with full instrumental accompaniment – sang “To Jesus Christ Our Sovereign King,” as the procession of acolytes, deacons, some 80 priests and Bishop O’Connell made their way down the aisle. Joining priests of the Trenton Diocese were contingents from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, many of
BROTHER PRIESTS • The concelebrating priests followed the Bishop in laying their hands on the heads of the ordinands as a sign of fraternal solidarity. JUNE 16, 2016 • TrentonMonitor.com •
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