A Holy Hour is held to pray for vocations and for two deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood.
On the eve of the ordination of Deacon Ezekiel Yisi and Deacon Evans Yongyee to the priesthood, the faithful gathered in the chapel of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland to pray for the two young men and to pray for vocations to the priesthood.
Bishop James Ruggieri presided at the Eucharistic Holy Hour and Solemn Vespers, with Father Anthanasius Wirsiy, pastor of St. Brendan the Navigator Parish in Camden, serving as the homilist.
“Jesus says, ‘Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be’ (Jn 12:26). The priesthood, therefore, is not a title to possess. It is a path to follow, and the One we follow is Christ the Servant,” Father Wirsiy told those gathered.
During his homily, Father Wirsiy recalled the impact that witnessing an ordination had on his own vocation, most especially seeing three ordinands lying prostrate on the floor, while the Litany of Saints was sung.
“Tomorrow, before hands are laid upon these two brothers, before they are vested as priests, before they speak the words of consecration for the first time, something striking will happen here in the cathedral. They will lie flat on the floor in prostration while the Litany of Saints is sung. It is one of the most powerful moments in the life of the Church,” he said. “Tomorrow, Evans and Ezekiel will lie face down, not just as a ritual but as a declaration: ‘My life is no longer my own.’ Like Christ, the Good Shepherd, they are placing themselves at the service of God and his people.”
Father Wirsiy told the young men that while they will rise from the floor changed forever, it is important to remember that ordination is not the end of their formation.
“It is the beginning of deeper sacrifice,” he said. “The temptation can be to think, ‘Now, I have arrived.’ No. Tomorrow, the Church will not crown you for success; she will hand you over for service.”
At the conclusion of the Holy Hour, Bishop Ruggieri blessed the priestly vestments which the newly ordained priests will wear for the first time tomorrow. He also blessed the chalices and patens which will be presented to them during the ordination Mass.
Deacon Yongyee and Deacon Yisi will be ordained for the Diocese of Kumbo in Cameroon, but through a partnership with the Diocese of Portland, they have been attending seminary in the United States and will first serve in Maine before returning to their homeland. Bishop George Nkuo, Bishop of Kumbo, will ordain the young men on Saturday, May 23, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, in the presence of Bishop Ruggieri. All are invited and encouraged to attend.
