MAY 27, 2022
mississippicatholic.com
Bishop ordains Bowden to priesthood
JACKSON – Attendees witness the Priestly Ordination of Father Andrew Bowden on Saturday, May 14 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle. Bowden is pictured as he lays prostrate on the floor for the Litany of Supplication. This symbolizes his unworthiness for the office he is about to assume and his dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community. The Litany of Saints is sung, which is a great reminder that we are all connected with the body of saints in heaven. (Photo by Tereza Ma)
BY JOANNA PUDDISTER KING
JACKSON – Family, friends and supporters gathered on Saturday, May 14 at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson for the priestly ordination of Andrew Bowden, who set his sights on the priesthood from the time he was a kindergartener. Father Bowden was the first seminarian welcomed into the program by Bishop Joseph Kopacz in 2014, after Bowden graduated from high school. Bishop Kopacz said that eight years ago “seems like a lifetime age,” something that vocation director Father Nick Adam concurred with. In 2014, Father Nick was still in seminary formation when Bowden was accepted to the program. “It’s great to see the growth ... from 18-years-old to now 26, but also the growth in his identity as a future priest of the church,” said Father Nick. At the joyful celebration, Bishop Kopacz was joined by many other priests in the diocese, seminarians and Father James Wehner, STD, rector of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans. Bishop Kopacz gave special acknowledgement to Fa-
ther Wehner, who is leaving his position as rector after a 10 year “tour of duty,” returning to his home diocese of Pittsburg. Wehner was a huge part in the lives of our recent generation of priests in the diocese. Bishop Kopacz acknowledged, while running through the lists of “characters” that have entered the priesthood under Father
Wehner’s tenure. “Twelve seems to be the number ... we have truly been blessed in our diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz. The Solemn Mass of Ordination featured the election of the candidate with Father Nick Adam proclaiming Bowden’s worthiness; the promise of the elect, where – Continued on page 20 –
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