The hands of Fr. David Bechill are annointed with Chrism by Archbishop Vigneron |
Ordinations usually happen in Detroit on the Saturday before Pentecost. Rather than wait for Pentecost weekend 2012, Archbishop Vigneron ordained Fr. David Bechill on the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - September 14th. It was pleasing to hear the Kyrie and the Gloria chanted in Latin.
I was glad to be there for the event, camera in hand - something I normally cannot do. If you ever go to a priestly ordination, you will most likely go back for more. You can see my full collection at my Smugmug account.
Here are two articles from the Michigan Catholic:
- New priest to be ordained September 14 (gives background)
- New priest ordained for Detroit (includes notes from homily)
Here's something from the second article:
Rosemary Bechill said of the ceremony, “It was wonderful. As a mom, I’m finally seeing his dream come true. It is a dream Fr. Bechill first told his parents about when he was in sixth grade, she said, adding, “He’s an amazing young man.”
Notes on the homily from the Michigan Catholic
The ordination Mass took place, by Fr. Bechill’s request, on the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and Archbishop Allen Vigneron took the Cross as the theme of his homily.
The archbishop spoke of the paradox by which the Cross, which had been a symbol of shame, became for Christians the symbol of hope and criterion for measuring our faithfulness.
“Have I obeyed His injunction that I must take up the Cross and follow Him? The Cross is the measure of our success or failure,” he said.
With his priestly ordination, Archbishop Vigneron continued, the new priest would be given a new mission by the Holy Spirit, and “immersed in the mystery of the Cross,” be given the strength to nurture the people he will serve.
And while he already has experience from his diaconal ministry in making the sign of the Cross at baptisms, he will now also use it in anointing the sick and absolving sins, the archbishop said.
In addition, the archbishop told him he will join with Jesus the High Priest in the work of “drawing all men to His heart.”
After the homily the Rite of Ordination took place
The Litany of Saints is chanted |
Archbishop Vigneron lays on hands |
As the Veni Creator Spiritus is sung, priests in attendance lay on hands. Grotto's pastor, Fr. Eduard Perrone is seen here. |
Fr. Bechill is vested in the chasuble by Fr. James Bilot, now the pastor of Divine Child in Dearborn, where the newly ordained will serve |
His hands are annointed with Chrism |
The chalice with wine and water mixed, and the paten with the unconsecrated host is placed in the hands of the newly ordained |
The fraternal kiss |
First blessings were done in a large reception tent outside. It was pouring rain, but it didn't dampen anyone's spirits. |
There was a sighting of seminarian, Bro. Matthew Schuster (center), from Assumption Grotto, who is in formation at St. John Cantius in Chicago.
See the full collection of photos from this ordination here: http://te-deum.smugmug.com/ArchdioceseofDetroit/Ordinations/2011-09-14-Ordination/19035532_Xjsv42#1479926647_tbVpVwc
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