An Historic Day: five new priests ordained for service in the Diocese

The breadth and depth of the rich cultural makeup of the Diocese of Metuchen was clearly evident June 8, in the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, as Bishop James F. Checchio ordained five men to the priesthood. The new priests – two from Vietnam, one from the Philippines, one from Costa Rica and one from Poland – were welcomed and supported by representatives of their respective communities both from within the Diocese and from around the world.

Bishop Checchio extended his greetings to the congregation, thanking the faithful in attendance and noting the number of visitors from across the U.S. and other countries. His words of welcome were shared in Spanish, Polish and Vietnamese by select representatives.

Bishop Checchio served as principal celebrant and homilist, while concelebrants included Bishop Daniel F. Blanco, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of San Jose, Costa Rica, and Bishop Effren Esmilla, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with more than 100 priests from the Diocese as well as priest relatives and friends of the ordinands from other dioceses.

In his homily Bishop Checchio reflected on the Gospel passage for the Mass, Jesus calling his first four disciples by promising them that he will make them fishers of men. The Bishop said that this was an indication the Lord, “wished to redirect their natural talents and skills to accomplish important work for the Gospel, the building up of his Kingdom.”

Addressing the five men he would ordain – Randy Gamboa Espinoza, Joseph Ho, Larrydom Magdasoc, Dawid Malik and Peter Phan – the Bishop told them, “that the Lord does exactly this same thing to you that he did with all the Apostles. Scripture tells us that the first four Apostles left the resources of their lives and closest relationships to follow Jesus. It takes a lot of faith and courage to do that. That sounds familiar for you five as you left your homes and families to become missionaries for Jesus here in the Diocese of Metuchen. And we thank God for that.”

As the Rite of Ordination began the five men responded vigorously to Bishop Checchio’s questions regarding whether they were resolved to discharge the order of priesthood, consecrate their lives to God and promise obedience to him and his successors. The men then prostrated themselves in the sanctuary in an ancient biblical gesture of humility while the congregation and choir sang a litany invoking Jesus and all holy men and women to pray for these men.

After Bishop Checchio and the vested priests present laid their hands on the five men, the Bishop prayed the Prayer of Consecration. The Bishop then anointed the palms of each man’s hand and wrapped them in a strip of linen called a maniturgium. Each was then vested in Stole and Chasuble and presented with a paten and chalice, the symbols of their new ministry. The five new priests then concelebrated Mass with Bishop Checchio and the other priests.

Luke Fuller, who will continue his study for the priesthood at Immaculate Conception Seminary served at the Ordination Mass.  “Witnessing the ordination of my brother seminarians, especially my diocesan brothers, I saw a great display of courage,” he said. “Following Jesus Christ can be challenging, but what could be better? Witnessing the newly ordained as they prostrated themselves before God and His Church fans the flame of the Spirit in me.”

“This was the first ordination Mass I ever attended,” said Katherine Zita, a parishioner at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater. “The Bishop laying his hands on the head of each man and the anointing of the hands brought to life for me the continuous 2,000 year history of the Catholic Church from the Apostles to today.”

Michael Ligoriano, representing the Order of Malta, commented, “I have been at five other ordinations at least, but this was the most amazing experience.  I was thrilled to see the Cathedral completely filled with family and friends of the ordained men together with parishioners from across the Diocese.”

Bishop Checchio noted it was a historic day in the Diocese because it had been 22 years since five men were ordained as priests for Metuchen and he was grateful for that.  But he also asked the congregation to not stop praying for and encouraging vocations to the priesthood.