The men who are ordained as priests of the Paterson Diocese by the bishop receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders, during a liturgy that are steeped in ceremony and rich in the traditions of the Church.
Bishop chooses priesthood candidates
First, the men are called forward by name. The diocesan vicar general and moderator of the Curia requests that the bishop ordain the candidates. With that, the bishop announces that he has chosen the candidates for the priesthood, which the congregation meets with enthusiastic applause.
Men promise bishop obedience
Then, the priest candidates are asked if they were willing to discharge the Office of Priesthood, to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously, to preach the Gospel worthily and wisely, to consecrate their lives to God, and to grow closer to Christ. They kneel before the bishop, placing their hands between his, promising obedience to him and his successors.
Bishop imposes hands on candidates
During the Litany of Saints, the candidates prostrate themselves before the altar and the bishop as a sign of humility and their total reliance on God’s grace. They receive the strength of the Holy Spirit as the bishop imposes his hands on them in silence. Then, the assembled priests are invited to lay hands on the two men, part of the ancient sign of ordination.
New priests’ palms are anointed
In the Prayer of Consecration, the bishop implores God’s help so the priesthood may continue in the Church. He prays that the dignity of the priesthood be granted to the candidates. Priests vest the newly ordained with a stole and chasuble. Then, the bishop anoints the new priests’ palms with Sacred Chrism as a sign that they now share in Christ’s mission.
Priests concelebrate ordination Mass
Bishop Sweeney accepts the Offertory gifts and then, in turn, hands them to the newly ordained. The new priests and a large number of other diocesan priests concelebrate the Mass. Later, the new priests exchange the sign of peace with Bishop Sweeney and the concelebrating priests as a sign of welcome into the presbyterate.
Loves ones receive first blessings
At the end of the Mass, the new priests give their first blessing to the bishop. Then, in front of the altar after Mass, they offer blessings to their family members and friends, who come from near and far to show their support on their ordination day.
