Photos: Seven Men Ordained Transitional Deacons in Detroit

Yesterday, seven men were ordained transitional deacons by the Most Reverend Michael J. Byrnes, Auxiliary Bishop of Detroit, at Sacred Heart Major Seminary. This is the last stop before priestly ordination.  One of the men ordained yesterday, is a fellow parishioner at Assumption Grotto, Rev. Mr. Louis Lapeyre.

I took many stock photos at the chapel of Sacred Heart Major Seminary (SHMS) yesterday, but I will save those for another post some time within the next week.  As you will see in these photos, there was some real craftsmanship that went into this old building.

What follows are just a sampling of the many photos taken.  At the bottom you will find a link that will take you to the full gallery.

The environment was much darker than that to which I am accustomed.  No flash is used during liturgical events, so natural lighting is all there is to work with.  Regrettably, I did not use a white card to set white balance before-hand, so they may be "warmer" in appearance.  I use Adobe Lightroom and can still tinker with quality, but two computers show me two different hues and exposures.  It's hard to tell which one is right.

There were many religious orders represented among those watching, including some of the S.O.L.T. brothers who are studying at SHMS.

The Mass got underway. Roughly 50 priests were there for the ordinations.  I've been told that the window seen in the Sanctuary was made by the same man who crafted the stained-glass windows at Assumption Grotto.

Bishop Byrnes delivers his homily

From left to right: Rev. Mr. Joseph Kirkconnell (St. Ignatius, Cayman Islands), Rev. Mr. Jeffery Allan (St. Colette, Livonia), and Rev. Mr. Ryan Adams (Holy Redeemer, Detroit)

Rev. Mr. John Kopson (St. Mary Queen of Creation, New Baltimore) , Rev. Mr. Louis Lapeyre (Assumption Grotto, Detroit), Rev. Mr. Gregory Piatt (St. Sylvesters, Warren), Rev. Mr. Joseph Tuskiewicz (St. Josaphat, Detroit)

The promise of respect and obedience to the Ordinary of the diocese and successors

The Litany of the Saints

Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Ordination

Investiture with Stole and Dalmatic

Handing on of the Book of the Gospels

Kiss of peace

Incensing the Altar as we entered Offertory

The Sacred Heart Seminary Choir after singing a beautiful "O Cor Jesu" by Rossini

Rev. Mr. Greg Piatt is seen kneeling here

Rev. Mr. John Kopson holds the Sacred Chalice

Rev. Mr. Louis Lapeyre

Rev. Mr. Jeffery Allan spoke on behalf of the newly ordained

Pure cuteness got in the way of my camera lens

I had never been in the gym at Sacred Heart Major Seminary, but even that shows the craftsmanship of a previous era.  The reception was held here. This doesn't do it justice, but gives you a glimpse. 

Please pray for these new transitional deacons for Detroit, and all of the seminarians in the Archdiocese of Detroit working towards the priesthood. (see more at DetroitPriest.com including social media options)

There are many more photos from this event in my Smugmug account.  

• Gallery (several pages of thumbnails you can go through)
• Slideshow (this is a good way to view them, but I recommend setting it to "fast" in the upper left corner)

Want Prints?

Newly ordained deacons should see Rev. Mr. Louis Lapeyre who will have a disk for you and your families, with my compliments. Perhaps you could include me in your prayers.

All others are welcome to purchase photos through the Smugmug site.  Purchases help mitigate the cost of uploading high resolution photos to a quality site that offers a quality service.  If you have problems, please let me know.

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church;
it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Photostory: Detroit Ordination on September 14

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

Before heading in to the Eucharistic prayer, Archbishop Vigneron incenses the altar and crucifix

Fr. Bechill drinks from the Chalice for the first time as a priest

Fr. Bechill gives Holy Communion to his mother, who was first in line

Father addresses the people

Archbishop Vigneron gets a "First Blessing" from the newly ordained

Archbishop Vigneron kisses Fr. Bechill's newly annointed hands

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.

Please pray for Fr. Bechill and all priests and seminarians in the Archdiocese of Detroit, and in your own dioceses.

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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For interesting news items I don't have time to blog on, check out my Twitter Feed: @TeDeumBlog

Te Deum Laudamus! Home

The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!

Note: The recommended links below are automatically generated by the tool, so they are not necessarily related content.