07.25.97

Page 1

t eanc 0 VOL. 41, NO. 28

•

Friday July 25, 1997

FALL RIVER, MASS.

FALL RIVER DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER FOR SOUTHEAST MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS Southeastern Massachusetts' Largest Weekly

• $14 Per Year

PRIESTS OF the diocese gathered around Bishop Sean O'Malley on the altar of St. John the Baptist Church, New Bedford, as the bishop offers a blessing on the newly ordained. Richard Wilson and David Engo were ordained priests July 19. See page 8 for more photos. (AnchorlMills photo)

Two ordained priests at St. John the Baptist, ~ By CHRISTINE

VIEIRA MILLS

ANCHOR STAFF

The sidewalk within a block's radius of St. John the Baptist Church on County Street in New Bedford was lined with churchgoers July 19 walking from the parking places which they had luckily found when the lots marked "Ordination Parking" were filled. Hundreds filled the church, sitting and standing shoulder to shoulder in the cfioir loft and pews, fanning themselves with ordination programs on the warm, sunny day. Others knelt in the aisles to catch a glimpse of the ceremony. Those standing near the large open front doors were compensated for - their lack of a clear view with a kind breeze. Dozens of vested priests and deacons lined up to join Bishop Sean O'Malley, OFM Cap., in the opening procession of the ceremony that would welcome

He spoke of the humanity of two men into the order of pres- plauded Engo and Wilson, wholeheartedly consenting to. priests--the loneliness and anbyter. guish of not being appreciated Meanwhile, Richard Wilson their "call" to the priesthood. and David Engo, widely grin"Do you judge them worthy?" that many feel and the heartache ning, waited for their cue to pro- Bishop O'Malley asked Voca- as well as joy that comes from . cess down the long aisle com- tions Director Father Craig A. dealing with human experiences. mencing the rite that would cul- Pregana. "It is the celebrant's task to minate their years of intense With an affirmative response preparation and begin their lives from Father Pregana, the con- bring Jesus to people," he conas priests. gregation gave theirs with more tinued, speaking directly to the Victor de Matos directed the enthusiastic applause. The ordinandi regarding the Euchachoir, accompanied by an organ- bishop then imposed his hands rist. "You must imitate what you ist and guitarist. The St. John on the heads of the two men, the hold in your hands." The new priests proceeded in the Baptist singers were joined "essential matter" of the sacraby Gayle Boudreau of St. Pius ment of ordination. The"essen- the rite by affirming their intent X parish, South Yarmouth, and tial form" is the accompanying to serve as priests and to obey several friends of ordinand prayer in the preface of the or- their bishop. The assembly then interceded for them through David Engo. . dination rite. St. John the Baptist parish, The ceremony continued with prayer during the Litany of the with its distinction as the first the bishop's homily when he ad- . Saints, as they lay prostrate. Portuguese parish in North dressed the assembly about the Then each priest in attendance was invited to bless his new America had never before office and duties of the priest. brothers. hosted an ordination in its 126"There is no career, no proThe newly ordained were year history, but last Saturday's fession, no work like the priestvested with the stole and chacelebration showed no telltale hood," Bishop O'Malley said. suble, signs of the office of "Jesus is the light of the world signs of inexperience. priesthood. Father Wilson was The moving rite of ordination and priests are called to be the vested by Father Francis began as the gathering ap- light of Christians."

McManus and Father Engo by Father James Hanon. Their hands were then anointed with the oil of chrism as a sign that they had been set apart to do God's work. Family members of the new priests brought up the gifts of bread and wine at the offertory and the sign of peace was a moving experience representing love and friendship. At the close of the ceremony, Fathers David Engo and Richard Wilson beamed as they exited the church to the outside sunlight where many of those in attendance lined up to receive a blessing from them. Then the sidewalks were lined again with people retracing their steps back to the sign that said "Ordination Parking," where they had left their cars and, in fact, their busy lives, to take a break and prayerfully welcome to His service two men intent on serving the Lord.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.