Auspice Maria: The Ordination of Priests

This Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Lewiston, Maine, three men will be ordained to the priesthood: Deacon Erin Donlon, Deacon Hoa Tien Nguyen, and Deacon Thanh Duc Pham. The Church rejoices with these men and their families. Each has taken a unique path, and each has his narrative that will now add a new "epoch" to its ongoing story. 

In the Rite of Ordination, one of the deacons assisting in the Liturgy will say after the proclamation of the Gospel, “Let those who are to be ordained priests come forward.”  The deacon will then publicly call out the men's names. One by one, in response to hearing his name called out, the candidate says, “present.” This edition of Auspice will explore how the call to the priesthood is rooted in the baptismal call, where each Christian is first called by name and set apart for Christ. 

Being called by name does not regularly occur in liturgical settings, but it does happen in the context of certain sacramental rites. In addition to Holy Orders, pastors or catechetical leaders often call the names of the candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation before the bishop administers the sacrament. There is a deeper meaning than practically knowing who’s who in the celebration of the sacraments. The calling of the names of those receiving Confirmation or Holy Orders is reminiscent of the day of one’s baptism. 

When an infant or child is baptized, the priest or deacon baptizing will ask the parents at the beginning of the Rite of Baptism: “What name do you give your child?” Then, when told the name of the candidate for baptism, the minister will ask: “What do you ask of God’s Church for [Name]?” This beginning, when the child is presented by name for baptism, is significant because it recognizes the uniqueness and the dignity of the person being baptized. 

Baptism is the beginning of an individual’s sacramental life in the Church. The Catechism says, “Baptism not only purifies from all sins, but also makes the neophyte [newly baptized] ‘a new creature,’ an adopted son [or daughter] of God, who has become a ‘partaker of the divine nature,’ member of Christ and co-heir with him, and temple of the Holy Spirit” (1265). The Catechism goes on to say, “Baptism makes us members of the Body of Christ….  Baptism incorporates us into the Church. From the baptismal fonts is born the one People of God of the New Covenant….” (1267). In essence, the Christian vocation begins at Baptism, where we are “grafted” to the Body of Christ on earth. 

The essence of the Christian vocation is the call to holiness. Uniquely made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27), the human person, adopted as a son or daughter of God by baptism, is called to holiness. Holiness is a process of growth and conversion where the person becomes more and more who he or she is, a son or daughter of God. 

Although, collectively, through baptism, we share in the life of the Church, the “one People of God of the New Covenant, which transcends all the natural or human limits of nations, cultures, races, and sexes…” (CCC 1267), we do not lose our individuality. Being called by name on the day of our baptism represents the personal relationship with the Father we are invited to through Christ. Reminded of the fact that we are created uniquely in the image and likeness of God and invited into intimacy with the Father, scripture speaks clearly and tenderly: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name: you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1). Jesus, the Good Shepherd, reminds us of this same reality: “…the sheep hear his [the good shepherd’s] voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (John 10:3) The Church consists of people uniquely created, known, and loved by God the Father. 

In response to the call to holiness, certain members of the baptized faithful, called to the ministerial priesthood, respond uniquely. Christ gives His Church “shepherds after [His] own heart” (Jeremiah 3:15). Men ordained priests are called to serve the Body. Thus, we distinguish the "ministerial" or "ordained" priesthood from the "priesthood of the faithful (the baptized)." The ministerial priesthood does not replace baptismal dignity in the man, but it builds upon it. Similarly, in the Sacrament of Matrimony, the spouses sharing the Sacrament of Matrimony are joined in a covenant to serve each other, their future children, and the Church. The covenant of holy matrimony does not replace baptismal dignity in the spouses, but it builds upon it. 

There is a unique mystery and blessedness to each human being made in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, the Church staunchly seeks to defend and protect this dignity.  Most recently (March 25, 2024), the late Pope Francis approved a document issued by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on the inviolability of human dignity from the moment of a person’s existence (conception) entitled “Dignitas Infinita.” In paragraph number 1, the document states: “Every human person possesses an infinite dignity, inalienably grounded in his or her very being, which prevails in and beyond every circumstance, state, or situation the person may ever encounter. This principle, which is fully recognizable even by reason alone, underlies the primacy of the human person and the protection of human rights. In the light of Revelation, the Church resolutely reiterates and confirms the ontological dignity of the human person, created in the image and likeness of God and redeemed in Jesus Christ. From this truth, the Church draws the reasons for her commitment to the weak and those less endowed with power, always insisting on ‘the primacy of the human person and the defense of his or her dignity beyond every circumstance.'" These are impactful words reminding us of a fundamental truth. 

As the mystery and blessedness of our lives unfold and the supernatural grace of God given to us at baptism makes us the Father’s own, the mystery and blessedness deepen. Our paths to holiness are unique, yet each of us called by name belongs to our Heavenly Father, who loves and cares for us beyond our comprehension. Deacon Erin, Deacon Hoa, and Deacon Thanh’s names will be called on Saturday in front of the assembly gathered. As they respond, “present,” they offer themselves as gifts in service to the Church. May God who has begun this good work in them bring it to fulfillment. 

-Bishop James T. Ruggieri