(Catholic Herald photo/Brian Payne)
MADISON — It was more than just the biggest night of their lives — it was a special night for their families, the Diocese of Madison, and the Church as a whole.
No moment symbolically externalized the work of the Holy Spirit more than the thunderous applause for six men who had just presented themselves to Bishop Robert C. Morlino to be ordained to the priesthood.
The faces of soon-to-be Frs. Scott Emerson, Chahm Gahng, Christopher Gernetzke, Tafadzwa Kushamba, Gabriel López-Betanzos, and Cristóbal Padilla were filled with joy at the love and support around them and the humility of surrendering themselves to Christ and his Church.
St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison has seen many new priests ordained over the past several years, but there was something special about this night — Friday, June 26, 2015 — a night in which the Holy Spirit showed itself in full force.
In fact, the six priests were the most ordained in the diocese in 42 years.
The Mass begins
The six men processed in with Bishop Morlino, along with the Knights of Columbus Honor Guard Assembly 1200 Madison, Knights and Ladies of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, seminarians of the Diocese of Madison, priests of the diocese, and guest priests of those to be ordained.
Bishop Morlino welcomed everyone to the Mass, especially the families of the six men.
“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” he said, “for the beautiful gift that you offer to the world.”
Prior to Bishop Morlino’s homily, the six men were presented to the bishop as they were called by name for the Presentation and Election of the Candidates.
After Bishop Morlino accepted their worthiness for the priesthood, the whole church erupted in exuberant applause. With the raw emotion of Mass-goers, and the Holy Spirit working through the men to be ordained — it was truly a time to celebrate.
‘Warriors’ for Christ
In the shadow of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that day which legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, Bishop Morlino approached the capacity crowd during his homily with a message reflecting on the day’s events.
The bishop said when he heard the decision, he recalled Sacred Scripture when Jesus tells the devil, “Now is your hour, the hour of darkness.” He said he “put that image aside rather quickly because we have six new priests” — “a force against the darkness.”
“We have to live so as to give the devil a lot to worry about,” Bishop Morlino continued, calling the soon to be ordained “warriors” for Christ.
“The Eucharist is the explosion of the good in the heart of being, in all of creation, especially the human,” Bishop Morlino continued later in his homily. “And who is there with the Eucharistic Lord at the Eucharist when the good explodes? Christ’s beloved priests.”
Ordination rites
Following Bishop Morlino’s homily, the six Elect rose before the bishop for their promises as priests: to proclaim the Church’s faith in word and deed, to be celibate “for the sake of the kingdom,” and to respect and obey the bishop and his successors.
The Litany of Supplication followed where the six men lay prostrate on the ground “dying” to their old selves and then rising to their new life and ministry ahead as priests. A litany of saints was sung while this took place.
Next, came the Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Ordination. Bishop Morlino placed his hands on their heads one-by-one, conferring upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit. Priests of the diocese then took turns also laying their hands on the heads of the men, symbolizing their ordination to the presbyterate.
The newly ordained were then vested with a stole and chasuble. Father Emerson was vested by Fr. Chad Droessler, pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Lodi and Dane; Father Gahng was vested by Msgr. Charles Schluter, pastor of St. Peter Parish in Madison; Father Gernetzke was vested by Fr. Eric Nielsen, pastor of St. Paul University Catholic Center in Madison; Father Kushamba was vested by Msgr. James Gunn, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Waunakee and St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Westport; Father López-Betanzos was vested by Msgr. Kevin Holmes, pastor of Cathedral Parish in Madison; and Father Padilla was vested by Fr. John Blewett, pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Sauk City, Holy Cross Parish in Mazomanie, and St. Norbert Parish in Roxbury.
The bishop then anointed the hands of the new priests with Sacred Chrism. Their hands were then wrapped in the maniturgia — a linen cloth used after the anointing. Traditionally this cloth is given afterwards to the priest’s mother.
After the gifts of bread and wine were brought forward and presented to the bishop by the newly ordained’s parents, he presented the gifts to the new priests, reminding them to strive to imitate the mysteries that are celebrated at Mass.
Priests in attendance again lined up to offer a sign of peace to the newly ordained.
First priestly work
The Mass continued with a profession of faith, followed by the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The new priests concelebrated with the bishop during the Eucharistic Prayer.
At Communion, the six new priests distributed the Blessed Sacrament to those who received. Following Communion, the new priests blessed their parents and then each blessed Bishop Morlino.
Also taking part in the Mass were seminarians Joseph Baker and Jared Holzhuter, who served as readers.
Other seminarians from the Diocese of Madison were servers for the Mass.
Members of St. Maria Goretti Parish and the Madison Serra Club served as greeters and ushers.
The Madison Diocesan Choir, directed by Dr. Patrick Gorman, provided the music, along with instrumental accompanists.
Also in attendance were consecrated virgins of the Diocese of Madison.