(Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash)
MADISON — June 25 was a day of blessings for God’s people on Earth.
It was also a day of blessings for the Diocese of Madison, Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, and parents Margaret and Timothy Powers and Julie and David Wanta and their families.
In their humility and service to the Lord, it was also a day of blessings for newly-ordained priests Fr. Luke Powers and Fr. Michael Wanta.
After years of formation, prayers, and seminary studies, the two young men were ordained to the priesthood at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison on Friday, June 25.
Response to God’s love
At the start of Bishop Hying’s homily, he remarked that he processed into the Mass wearing a miter that belonged to the late Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison who died in 2018.
“His great passion as bishop was the cultivation of the priesthood in our diocese,” he said. “So many of our younger priests had a father-son relationship with him . . . we pray for him and we pray to him tonight.”
June 25 also marked the two-year anniversary of Bishop Hying’s installation as Bishop of Madison.
He continued his homily by saying,” In this chaotic, confusing, and difficult culture that we find ourselves in — this 21st century America — many people would seriously ask ‘What would possess a young man to give up marriage and a family, a lucrative career, and material things, worldly success, and acclaim to become a Catholic priest?’
“Priesthood is a life of sacrifice and service, of generous availability and constant demand. Who would choose such a life? What would motivate such a radical decision? The answer lies in the Gospel we just heard — God so loved the world that He sent us His son, Jesus, to save us from sin and death.
“The Lord came into the world on a rescue mission to free us from the clutches of the evil one so that we can live forever with God.”
Bishop Hying added that when we realize the “enormity” of what God has given us, “that demands a response from us . . . in some form or a life-long vocation, a complete handing over of self.”
He continued, “This love of Christ is the only possible answer to both the mystery and the gift of the priestly vocations of Luke Powers and Michael Wanta . . . it’s only when we disappear into Christ that He can use us to bring about His mission.”
Ordination rites
Following Bishop Hying’s homily, the ordination rites were performed at the Mass.
The two men to be ordained made their priestly promises to Bishop Hying declaring their resolve to be consecrated for the Church’s ministry.
The men then lay prostrate on the floor, dying to their selves and rising to new life during the Litany of Supplication, while a litany of saints was sung.
Next, came the Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Ordination.
Bishop Hying placed his hands on their heads, conferring upon them the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Priests in attendance then took turns also laying their hands on their heads.
The newly ordained were then vested with a stole and chasuble.
Father Powers was vested by Fr. Chad Droessler, pastor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona.
Father Wanta was vested by Fr. Paul Arinze, pastor of St. John Vianney Parish in Janesville.
The bishop then anointed the hands of the new priests with Sacred Chrism and their hands were wrapped in the maniturgia.
Parents of the newly-ordained brought up the Offertory gifts to the bishop. Priests in attendance again lined up to offer a sign of peace to the newly ordained.
First blessings
Toward the end of the Mass, Bishop Hying thanked everyone who helped with the Mass, including Fr Greg Ihm, diocesan vocations director and master of ceremonies.
Also assisting in the Mass were Transitional Deacons Patrick Costello and Matthew Colle from the Diocese of Green Bay, who were classmates of the newly-ordained.
Diocese of Madison seminarians Mark Foley and Matthew Pearson served as readers.
Sarah Gillespie served as cantor and Glenn Schuster and members of the Madison Diocesan Choir provided music ministry.
Following his words of thanks, Bishop Hying added that “Tonight, our hearts are especially filled with joy and gratitude for the gift of two new priests.”
He continued that,” It’s the prerogative of the ordaining bishop to ask for their very first blessing and I do so with great joy and thanksgiving.”
Each of the two new priests took their turns blessing Bishop Hying.
Following that, the parents of the newly-ordained came forward to receive the blessings from their sons, now ordained priests.
As his first priestly assignment, Father Powers will serve as parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in Baraboo.
He will return to the Pontifical North American College in Rome in the 2021-2022 academic year to continue his Licentiate studies.
Father Wanta’s first priestly assignment will be as parochial vicar at St. Cecilia Parish in Wisconsin Dells.
He also will return to the Pontifical North American College in Rome in the 2021-2022 academic year to continue his Licentiate studies.
The video of the livestream of the Ordination Mass can be found on the Diocese of Madison Facebook page and the St. Maria Goretti Parish YouTube channel.