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| Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison lays hands on Fr. Kumud Nayak, CJD, during Father Nayak’s Ordination Mass on December 7 at Holy Name Heights in Madison. (Catholic Herald photo/Joe Ptak) |
MADISON — The vigil of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception included a blessing for the Diocese of Madison — a new priest.
Fr. Kumud Nayak was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison on December 7 in the Holy Name Oratory at Holy Name Heights in Madison.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a limited number of invited guests were able to attend the Ordination Mass, while hundreds from the diocese and elsewhere watched via a livestream.
‘Here I am, Lord’
“Let Rev. Mr. Kumud Chandra Nayak, who is to be ordained a priest, come forward,” proclaimed Deacon Chris Schmelzer during the Mass.
At those words, still-Deacon Kumud stood up from his pew and uttered “present”.
He then came forward as Vicar General Msgr. James Bartylla presented the priesthood candidate to Bishop Hying.
Knowing him to be “worthy,” Bishop Hying said, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose Kumud, our brother, for the order of the priesthood”.During his homily, Bishop Hying said that “in honoring the Immaculate Conception, we pay homage to God for his remarkable plan of salvation, which is given to us in Jesus Christ.”
He continued, “the Son of God came to rescue us from the grasp of sin and death.”
“Like Mary,” the bishop said to Deacon Kumud, “God has chosen you as part of the plan of eternal salvation.
“He has asked you, like her, to place yourself completely at God’s service and plan.
“You have been preparing for many years and waiting a long time — a really long time — for your ordination to the priesthood. And here it finally is. On this eve of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, in the middle of a pandemic, in the United States of America, in the Diocese of Madison, Wis.”
Ordination rites
Following Bishop Hying’s homily, Father Nayak made his promises as a priest to the bishop.
He then lay prostrate on the floor, dying to himself 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 the new priest’s head, conferring upon him the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Priests in attendance then took turns also laying their hands on his head.
The newly ordained was then vested with a stole and chasuble.
Father Nayak was vested by Fr. Jose Unalayao, CJD, from the Canons Regular of Jesus the Lord, the Religious Order which Father Nayak is a part of.
The rites concluded with Bishop Hying giving Father Nayak a sign of peace, as did the priests of the diocese and priest-guests in attendance.
The new priest
Father Nayak’s first assignment as a priest in the Diocese of Madison is at St. Olaf Parish in DeForest and St. Joseph Parish in East Bristol where he will serve as parochial vicar.