Rome, December 10, 2016.- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, has ordained priests to 36 Legionaries of Christ in the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. More than 3,000 people attended the ceremony, including family members, friends, seminarians, and formators. Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, L.C., General Director of the Legionaries of Christ and of the Regnum Christi Movement, introduced the candidates for ordination.
In his homily, Cardinal Parolin said that the vocation of these new priests has “a single origin: the fact of being seekers of God, of having been seduced by Him like the prophet Jeremiah.” He also reminded them that “the Holy Spirit, through the laying on of hands and anointing, enables them for service as ministers of the Lord amidst the people of God […] They are consecrated to the Lord to be missionaries of the Gospel among the people.”
Later, Cardinal Parolin addressed the new priests: “Your life will not be a rejection or evasion of the world, but a serene incarnation in history so that those who encounter you may live the relationship with God that is at the root of human existence.” He also warned them about the danger of spiritual worldliness, which Pope Francis speaks so much about. He invited them to “show everyone that humility and simplicity that Christ lived to win our trust and save us.”
“May the entire Congregation continue to walk generously and bravely along the paths of renewal and evangelical authenticity, following the lines traced thanks to the accompaniment of the Holy See, for the greater glory of God, for the service of the Church, and for the salvation of the world,” concluded Card. Parolin.
The rector of the Legionaries’ seminary in Rome, Fr. Christopher Brackett, comments: “Seeing a group of young men, after several years of preparation and personal discernment, take the step to the priesthood is always a great reason for joy. It is worth closely following Jesus Christ and dedicating one’s life to the service of others.” Fr. Brackett adds: “They have received a calling to be instruments of mercy and to ignite in the hearts of men and women they serve the missionary fire that leads them to want to share God’s love with others.”
Fr. Eduardo Robles-Gil, L.C., general director of the Legionaries of Christ and of the Regnum Christi Movement, comments: “The Legion of Christ and the entire Regnum Christi family are celebrating, thanking God for the gift of 36 new priests for the Church. We thank their families because, with their prayers, closeness, and support, they have been decisive in their children’s journey to the altar.”
About 150 priests concelebrated at the ordination. Mons. Matthias König, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany, and Mons. François Bacqué, retired apostolic nuncio to the Netherlands, attended the anointing of hands and the presentation of the chalice and paten. Additionally, Mr. David Parker from the United States, father of one of the new priests, David Parker Jr., participated as a deacon. Both were ordained deacons in a ceremony a few months earlier in Pulaski, Wisconsin, USA.
Who are the new priests?
The 36 new priests come from 11 countries: Italy (2), Germany (2), Brazil (3), France (1), United Kingdom (1), Venezuela (1), Argentina (2), Chile (2), Mexico (13), Poland (1), and United States (8). All obtained their degrees in philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum. Their period of study and preparation also included pastoral work in education, missions, youth group animation, family pastoral care, and formation of minor seminarians.
Among the new priests is Fr. Mairon Gavlik, from Brazil, who carried out his pastoral work in Germany and Brazil, and shares: “What attracts me most about the priesthood is the experience of allowing myself to be found by the love of Christ every day and the desire to share that love with others.” Also, Juan Andrés Lander from Venezuela, who studied computer engineering, worked at a software company in England, and after volunteering with Regnum Christi, discovered his calling to the priesthood in the Legion. Fr. Pablo Solís, from Mexico, completed industrial engineering studies at the Ibero-American University in Mexico and worked for a few years at Procter & Gamble and Kraft Foods before entering the novitiate.
Fr. Nikolaus Klemeyer from Germany was a Lutheran and converted to Catholicism before joining the Legion. During his formation, his family also became part of the Catholic Church. Fr. Brett Taira from the United States is a convert from Buddhism and entered the seminary after meeting Christ.
Fr. Gastón Vicuña, from Chile, was a lay member of Regnum Christi for 8 years, and after a period of discernment, began his path to the priesthood in the Legion.
Some of the new priests mention that their volunteer experience in the Regnum Christi collaborators program helped them discover the meaning of their lives in service to others. Among them are Fathers Daniel Rolczynski, Michael O’Connor, Ryan Richardson, Esteban Castellanos, Juan Pablo Nájera, César Hernández, and Francisco Iñarritu.
The stories of the new priests can be read on the website of the priestly ordinations.
Full text of Cardinal Parolin’s homily:
Flickr: Photos of the 2016 ordinations
