My First Catholic Experience
Last week I attended an ordination ceremony for a Catholic priest. Martin (Marteen) the Mexican, Catholic, Priest-in-training that was in my wife’s pastoral education group this past summer became a priest last Thursday night.
(Martin is the man who famously remarked, “I don’t want… Study Bible.”
Martin was the man whose greatest desire last summer was to travel to Las Vegas in order to “PARTY” and see Celine Dion.)
This was my first time to attend a Catholic ceremony of any kind. Many in my faith tradition would not consider Catholics to be Christian. I don’t share that view, but until last Thursday had never even been inside a Catholic church.
It was packed. The place was completely full. I know this because my leg was overlapped by the rather robust lady sitting next to me. It was hot. It was noisy because all of the little kids were crowded and overheated. I couldn’t see what was going on because I am wee in stature and we got there a bit later than we had planned. I couldn’t hear because the old priest presiding over the ceremony was a low talker and his alter boy held the microphone too far away from the low talker’s mouth.
I know that they made promises and gave and received blessings. I know there was a homily (sermon) given in both English and Spanish. I know that there were some guys dressed a bit like pirates that led the processional and recessional (they wore capes, buccaneer hats, and each carried a sword). I know that all of the priests present for the ceremony (30 or so) wore awesome robes. And I know that there was a kickin’ party going on out back after the ceremony; complete with mariachi band and dancing.
I’m still not sure what all went on. I’m not sure exactly what was said. And I don't know if I'll ever figure out why the pirates were there. But there was something very beautiful about watching four men committing their lives to God in a very radical way. Most people I know don’t like the idea of priests. The exclusive way that they are treated, the thought that they are the avenue to get to God is too much for most folks in my world. But how beautiful for someone to be set apart for the purpose of communing with God and bringing others into the presence of God. The reverence with which they treat God and each other is something from which I can learn. The one that is ordained to carry out this ministry truly is set apart in a very concrete way. Each priest is truly a holy person, set apart not only by the way he dresses, but by his entire life; much more than a professional Christian.
Despite the hot, cramped space, and not knowing exactly what was going on, it was a great experience that has caused me to think about my life and my work.
May God bless Martin, a man truly set apart for the work of God.
(Martin is the man who famously remarked, “I don’t want… Study Bible.”
Martin was the man whose greatest desire last summer was to travel to Las Vegas in order to “PARTY” and see Celine Dion.)
This was my first time to attend a Catholic ceremony of any kind. Many in my faith tradition would not consider Catholics to be Christian. I don’t share that view, but until last Thursday had never even been inside a Catholic church.
It was packed. The place was completely full. I know this because my leg was overlapped by the rather robust lady sitting next to me. It was hot. It was noisy because all of the little kids were crowded and overheated. I couldn’t see what was going on because I am wee in stature and we got there a bit later than we had planned. I couldn’t hear because the old priest presiding over the ceremony was a low talker and his alter boy held the microphone too far away from the low talker’s mouth.
I know that they made promises and gave and received blessings. I know there was a homily (sermon) given in both English and Spanish. I know that there were some guys dressed a bit like pirates that led the processional and recessional (they wore capes, buccaneer hats, and each carried a sword). I know that all of the priests present for the ceremony (30 or so) wore awesome robes. And I know that there was a kickin’ party going on out back after the ceremony; complete with mariachi band and dancing.
I’m still not sure what all went on. I’m not sure exactly what was said. And I don't know if I'll ever figure out why the pirates were there. But there was something very beautiful about watching four men committing their lives to God in a very radical way. Most people I know don’t like the idea of priests. The exclusive way that they are treated, the thought that they are the avenue to get to God is too much for most folks in my world. But how beautiful for someone to be set apart for the purpose of communing with God and bringing others into the presence of God. The reverence with which they treat God and each other is something from which I can learn. The one that is ordained to carry out this ministry truly is set apart in a very concrete way. Each priest is truly a holy person, set apart not only by the way he dresses, but by his entire life; much more than a professional Christian.
Despite the hot, cramped space, and not knowing exactly what was going on, it was a great experience that has caused me to think about my life and my work.
May God bless Martin, a man truly set apart for the work of God.
posted by Cody at 11:05 AM
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