“Today the whole Church of Vancouver, but especially the priests, are giving thanks and praying for our Deacons Medard and Patrick,” Archbishop J. Michael Miller told a packed Holy Rosary Cathedral.
Fathers Medard Kamanzi and Patrick Le celebrated their ordinations on Canada Day as the two newest priests of the Archdiocese of Vancouver.
“We put great trust and hope in their future and expect abundant fruits of holiness and goodness from their priestly ministry,” he said in his homily.
In his homily, the Archbishop thanked the “communities and families, and all others who have helped [the newly ordained] to persevere in response to the Lord’s call.”
The Archbishop gave thanks for the prayerful accompaniment of the communities of the Neocatechumenal Way spiritual renewal program and of the pastors and parishioners of St. Patrick’s Parish in Maple Ridge, St. Matthew’s Parish in Surrey, Our Lady of the Assumption Parish in Port Coquitlam, and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Vancouver.
“I wish to express my deep gratitude to those who have guided their formation, the priests of the Archdiocese who have mentored them, the Benedictine monks at Westminster Abbey and the Seminary of Christ the King who have guided them spiritually and theologically, the many lay faithful who have played a significant and active role in bringing them to this day,” he said.
“Indeed, during the rite of Ordination, as an eloquent expression of their baptismal priesthood, the lay faithful will wrap our deacons who are lying prostrate on the sanctuary floor in a mantle of prayer as they sing the Litany of the Saints,” he said.
Speaking to the newly ordained, he said, “Dear Medard and Patrick: it’s clear from your vocational journeys that the Lord’s words to the Apostles recorded in the Gospel you selected ring true: ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you.’” (Jn 15:16)
“Always remember that no one would dare to ‘presume to take this honour upon himself,’ but he does so only because ‘he is called by God,’” he said, referencing Hebrews 5:4.
“Dear brothers: be immersed in the passion of this world and with Christ’s help and in communion with him, seek to transform it, to bring it to God as a sacrifice pleasing in his sight,” he said.
The priesthood is rooted in the friendship of Christ, he told them. “It is even more necessary to abide with him, to remain in his love, just as Jesus abides in the Father’s love. Such friendship calls for a personal relationship of deep familiarity, imbued with the warmth of total trust. This is what happens between friends.”
Archbishop Miller enjoined the young men to walk with their people and never shy from the hardships of life.
“Do not be afraid to enter into the darkness of people’s lives, for it is there that the light of Christ can shine brightest,” he said. “Priests are called to empty themselves, to pour themselves out in love and self-gift to others.”
“Remember that true greatness doesn’t lie in the accolades of the world, but in humble service and self sacrifice.”
The Archbishop ended his homily with some pastoral guidance: “be men of the Word of God,” he said.
“Preaching isn’t about sharing your own tastes, tendencies and preferences, but letting that Word mould you and convert you daily,” he said.
“In what you teach and preach you are under the authority of the Word of God as transmitted in the Scriptures and handed down in the Church’s sacred tradition.”
“You are a servant of this Word and its truth.”
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