Saturday, June 13 @ 11:00 AM
St. Augustine Cathedral

My dear sisters and brothers in the Lord,

We gather on this day made beautiful not simply by the weather, but by the reason we come together here in the house of our Father.

We are blessed beyond words by the gift of the two brothers who sit in our midst. Through the love of their parents and siblings, through those who helped raise them, through the love and support of those who formed them, through the gifts of their own nature that God has given them, and most especially through the power of grace, they are here.

They have persevered. They have been changed. They are now freely ready to enter into the mystery of the ministerial priesthood.

As we shared last night at dinner, I know I speak for everyone here when I say how proud we are of you, how proud I am of you, and of the men you have been forged to become in the love of Jesus Christ.

You present yourselves mindful that none of us who share this mystery are ever worthy of it. But God does not ask that.

Like Jeremiah, He called you before you were born, while you were still in your mother’s womb.

And while there are a thousand reasons you could say, “Perhaps not me. I’m too young. I can’t do this. I can’t do that. I don’t have those skills,” whatever the reason may be, nonetheless the fact that He chose you—and will forever love you—is enough.

And so you are here.

I need not dwell long on the mystery into which you are entering, because you know it intimately.

My friends, if you want a definition of the priesthood, look to the altar behind me and to the crucified Lord who hangs above it. There you will find the heart of the priesthood.

For the one who is chosen and set apart, consecrated and ordained, becomes the instrument through whom the graces of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ flow to His people—the perfect image of love, the only Savior and Redeemer the world will ever know.

And so you come here, and we are grateful for your yes.

But, brothers, you also come at a unique moment—at least in my lifetime as a disciple of the Church.

We are beginning to live through a renaissance in the Church.

Saint John Paul II, whose image now adorns our cathedral, prayed for a springtime of renewal in the life of the Church. And 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.

And through the beauty of our Catholic faith, they are coming forward.

You are being ordained in some of the most exciting times in recent memory.

What a blessing it is for you and for us that you are willing to say yes.

But if I may, as your spiritual father, I ask you: do not let this opportunity pass by.

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.

Unlock the power of truth.

For truth is not something; truth is Someone.

Do what Saint Anthony of Padua, whose memory we honor today on June 13, taught us when he said, “Let your words teach and let your actions speak.”

I know that you will preach fearlessly, honestly, and authentically. I know you will break open the power of the Word of God and faithfully proclaim what the Church teaches.

But I ask you to let your lives teach and preach as well.

Let the authenticity of your lives give power to your words.

Many are searching for the truth.

Be instruments of that truth.

And I ask you also to be fathers who value beauty.

Beauty.

Saint Augustine, our patron, once said, “All beauty shows the transcendence of God.”

In a world made barren by endless information, overstimulation, and distraction, more and more people are rediscovering the power of beauty.

You, my sons, must rediscover it every day as well.

Wherever beauty shines its face, there the face of God is revealed.

See Him in the beauty of our liturgy. Celebrate it reverently and beautifully.

See Him in the beauty of our tradition, our music, and the treasures handed down over two thousand years.

See Him in the beauty of nature, in the wonder of creation, and in the face of a child.

God is always present, and people are hungering for that beauty.

Be fathers and servants of that beauty.

And of course, as we heard in the Gospel, you are called to be shepherds of the Good Shepherd.

May I remind you, as I remind all of us who share this vocation—and indeed all who share the gift of baptism—that we are meant to be a people of love.

Goodness should not simply be something you do.

Goodness should be who you are.

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.

Not only those entrusted to your pastoral care, not only those who come to Mass, but also the sick, the poor, the immigrant, the migrant, the lonely, those without friends, those seeking meaning, and those struggling under burdens known only to themselves.

Do not be afraid to go to those sheep and lead them forward, as all of us are called to do.

For the Spirit is already dwelling within them and stirring their hearts as well.

Help them discover their hope, their dreams, their life, and their salvation in Jesus Christ.

It is a great moment for our Church, and how blessed we are that you are willing to enter into this mystery.

And you do so on Our Lady’s feast day.

I can think of no better day.

Today we honor her Immaculate Heart.

She is here.

She has walked with you every moment of your life.

As I said last night at dinner, Our Lady brought you here to Bridgeport. She walked with you through the ups and downs of life, always pointing you to her Son.

As you begin your priesthood, always turn to the Mother of God.

Ask for her intercession, her protection, and her advocacy.

She will always be there.

For if there was ever one human being who perfectly understood who Truth is, who Beauty is, who Goodness Himself is, it was Our Lady.

It is Our Lady.

It will always be Our Lady.

Hold her close to you.

And 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.

Congratulations, and may God bless you now and forever.

Amen.