Archdiocese to gather in support for future priests
By Josh Tng
Three young men dedicating their lives to God will have one night dedicated to them next month.
“Here are three young men who have stepped up to the plate, who are giving their whole lives for the Church,” said Monica Perry, from the archdiocesan office of vocations. “The Ordinandi Dinner is a celebration of the priesthood without which we would have no shepherds, no Eucharist, and no Church.”
The Archdiocese of Vancouver is holding its second annual Ordinandi Dinner in celebration of the future ordinations to the priesthood of Deacon Juan Lucca, Deacon Giovanni Schiesari, and Deacon Francesco Voltaggio.
“The word ‘ordinandi’ is Latin for ‘to be ordained,’” Perry said. “In particular, the Ordinandi Dinner is a celebration of those men who have answered God’s call to serve as shepherds of his flock and are shortly to be ordained as priests for our Archdiocese.”
During the dinner the three deacons will also share testimonies of their journey toward priesthood. “God is still calling men to the priesthood, and men are still responding with generosity to his call,” said Perry. “Thanks be to God.”
Perry noted the importance of the priesthood is frequently downplayed in modern culture. “I think that we Catholics can sometimes be forgetful of the debt we owe to our priests. It is important to be mindful that without the priesthood, we would be left without the ‘Source and Summit’ (Vatican 2) of our Faith.”
God’s gift of the priesthood is “great cause for thanksgiving and celebration!” she said.
The dinner will be at the Italian Cultural Centre, Wednesday, Feb. 1. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at vocationsvancouver.ca/events/ordinandi-dinner or by calling the Vocations Office at 604-683-0281.
