“Have the mind of Christ and become holy through your ministry”

It was a solemn ceremony: the pro-Cathedral Most Precious Blood Church was filled to capacity, as many family members and friends would not miss this special day. Deacons Jim Craig, Javier Ebertowski, and Luis Lozano entered the church and initially sat with their families, waiting for the call to step forward. They were deemed worthy of ordination after years of study and spiritual formation. 

In his homily, Bishop Michael Mulvey reminded them to have “the mind of Christ” – to become holy through their ministry. “You are called to serve and not to be served – let go of yourselves,” the bishop continued. In the Gospel, Jesus asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter answered, “Lord, you know everything, you know that I love you.” Bishop Mulvey explained, “Jesus knew his talents, but also his weaknesses. He knows everything about us, and He still loves us.” 

To fulfill the call to the priesthood, prayer is essential: “Never leave the gaze of the Father, never abandon the Word of Christ,” said the Bishop. He shared three insights on their journey that young people conveyed to him during this year’s confirmations. One young man in Odem responded to the question about what he learned during his preparation, saying, “I’ve learned to live God’s lifestyle,” which is love. “Expand your heart, don’t exclude anyone.”

The second answer came from a young woman from Alice: “I learned about the beauty of community in the Church.” Relating it to the New Commandment, “Love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34). Today, when many people feel isolated, God invites us to unity and love.

The third answer came from a young man in Corpus Christi: “I’ve come to appreciate the priests” – that they are shepherds. “A shepherd does not run away from the cross,” said Bishop Mulvey, “it is through the cross that we minister.”

Ultimately, he recommended that they have a special love, not just devotion, for Mary, Mother of the Church. “Mary gave up Jesus, but was not alone–she welcomed John, she was in the upper room where the Church was born.”

After the homily, all three deacons prostrated themselves before the altar as the litany to the saints was sung. In silent prayer, the bishop laid hands on each of them, ordaining them as priests in the Catholic Church. All the priests laid their hands on them and offered their prayers. 

As the next step, the bishop anointed their hands with Holy Chrism Oil. With a brotherly embrace, the bishop welcomed them into their midst, followed by all the bishops and priests. They received their stole and chasuble before, for the first time, concelebrating Mass and changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

At the end, Bishop Mulvey thanked Most Reverend Timothy Broglio, Archbishop for the Military Services and current President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody and the more than 70 priests who were present. He thanked the people involved in their formation from different seminaries and Vocation Director Bob Cummings for their accompaniment. 

The newly ordained priests received their first assignments: Fr. Jim Craig will serve as the parochial vicar at St. Patrick, and Fr. Luis Lozano will be at Corpus Christi Cathedral. Fr. Javier Ebertowski will return to Rome for another year to complete his studies. During the summer, he will be assigned to St. George Church in George West.

After the ceremony, all three new priests spent their first blessings in the school hall.