By Kathy-Ann Gobin
Photos by Amy Mortensen
BRIDGEPORT—It was standing-room only at the Cathedral Church of Saint Augustine as the faithful gathered to witness and welcome the ordination of two priests to the Diocese of Bridgeport family.
Rev. Juan José Colón, Jr. and Rev. Herley Mendez Torres were each ordained as priests at a Solemn Pontifical Mass with the Rite of Ordination of Priests on June 13.
“We are blessed beyond words for the gift of the two brothers, who sit in our midst,” Bishop Frank J. Caggiano said to the packed cathedral. Bishop Caggiano credited the love of family, friends, formation leaders and all those who supported now Father Colón and Father Torres.
“They persevered. They have been changed. They are now freely ready to enter into the mystery of the ministerial priesthood,” he said.
Bishop Caggiano said he was proud of both Father Colón and Father Torres, “for the men you have been forged to become in the love of Jesus Christ.”
The crucified Christ, the bishop said, is the heart of the priesthood and no one is ever worthy of it.
“But God does not ask that,” Bishop said. “The fact that he chose you and He will forever love you is enough.”
The Bishop said this ordination comes at a special time in the life of the Church.
“We are beginning to live through a renaissance in the Church,” he said, noting that St. John Paul II prayed for springtime renewal in the life of the Church.
“We are beginning to see the first buds of that springtime as the Spirit moves throughout the world, hearts that once could never imagine coming to faith are beginning to stir. Many are hungry. Many are curious. Many are searching for a real purpose and meaning in life as they confront the emptiness of so much that the world offers,” Bishop Caggiano said.
The bishop urged Father Colón and Father Torres to unlock the power of truth.
“Use the gifts God has given you to bring many to faith and to nurture those who will be entrusted to your care—those whom you will serve and for whom you will become spiritual fathers,” the bishop said, noting that this ordination day also honors the memory of St. Anthony of Padua, a martyr for Christ who preached, “let your words teach and your actions speak.”
“I ask you to let your lives teach. As is true for all of us. Let the authenticity of your lives give power to your words,” Bishop Caggiano continued. “Many are searching for the truth. Be instruments of that truth.”
He also asked the men to value beauty, quoting the patron saint of the cathedral, who once said, “All beauty shows the transcendence of God.”
“See Him in the beauty of our tradition, our music, and the treasures handed down over two thousand years,” Bishop Caggiano said.
“Goodness should not simply be something you do. Goodness should be who you are,” Bishop Caggiano said. “In every moment of every day, you will always be a priest. And in every moment of every day, you and I have an opportunity to love—to seek the good of those around us.”
“It is a great moment for our Church, and how blessed we are that you are willing to enter into this mystery,” Bishop Caggiano said.
The bishop also implored the new priests to ask the Virgin Mary for her intercession, for protection and for advocacy.
“I promise you, brothers, that as you enter into this great gift, she will not only lead you to Christ, but she will lead you to everlasting life,” the bishop said.
Following the homily there was the Promise of the Elect, the Litany of Supplication, the Laying on of Hands, the Prayer of Ordination, Vesting with Stole and Chasuble, the Anointing of Hands, the Handing on of Bread and Wine and the Fraternal Kiss of Peace.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed and then the concluding rites.
Bishop Caggiano gave a heartfelt thank you to the parents of Father Colón and Father Torres.
“I thank you for giving us the gift of your sons, which I can imagine is one of the greatest gifts you can give, but you didn’t just give them to us, you helped form them in faith,” he said.
The bishop also asked all gathered to pray in a special way for the 44 seminarians in the diocese. “Pray that they will persevere, and God will continue to bless them,” he said.
Father Torres will remain at St. Thomas Aquinas where he previously served as a deacon, and Father Colón, who was serving as a deacon at St. Mary in Stamford, will continue to serve there as a priest.
Michelle Chuchuca, a friend of the Colón family, said she remembers Father Colon attending St. Joseph and St Ladislaus Parish in South Norwalk.
She said she came to support both priests and was also looking for some personal inspiration.
“I am discerning a religious life,” Chuchuca said. “I thought it would be a good opportunity to be in a place where so many priests and religious are saying yes.”
Supporters of Father Torres were excited for his big day.
“He’s going to be a fine priest,” said John Otis, who was attending the Ordination Mass with his wife, Chris, who is a youth minister at St. Aloysius in New Canaan.
“He was active in the youth ministry,” John Otis said. “He really dove in and helped with all of the activities.”
His wife agreed. “I know how important it is for us to support these men when they make this big change in their life,” Chris Otis said. “My heart is just so excited for him. We need these good men for us.”
