The Lord is calling many, but He also needs our voices of invitation
By Bishop Mark Beckman
On June 6 a large and festive crowd filled our Cathedral Church to celebrate the ordination of a new priest for the Diocese of Knoxville, Father Daniel Cooper. The beauty and solemnity of an ordination liturgy were palpable.
It was my second celebration of priestly ordination as your bishop, and I must say that the great joy of the day filled me with gratitude for the good work God is bringing to fulfillment in this diocese.
It feels a bit like a family welcoming a new member at the birth of a child. Father Cooper has been serving as a deacon at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Fairfield Glade along our western boundary. Of the large crowd that filled the cathedral, the majority came from St. Francis to witness this momentous event in the life of our local church.
Many told me they had never experienced a priestly ordination before, and their love for Father Daniel was profound. He, too, was delighted when I asked him to continue priestly service in the parish where he has served so well. It is a good community for a young priest, and the pastor, Father Michael Woods—soon to celebrate 60 years as a priest—is such a wonderful role model.
The ordination liturgy itself is profoundly moving. As the candidate prostrates on the floor of the sanctuary and all kneel, the Litany of Saints is sung. The gesture is a laying down of one’s life for Christ, and asking the intercession of the saints is so important as a new priest is born.
It is the profound act of laying hands on the head of the candidate for Holy Orders by the bishop and the prayer of consecration that marks the new beginning.
Once the bishop has done so, all the priests present also lay hands upon the newly ordained. It is a moving moment as the entire presbyterate participates. The new priest is clothed in priestly vestments for the first time, and he is welcomed into the presbyterate by a solemn greeting of peace.
I noticed many in the pews weeping during that beautiful moment. The hands of the priest are anointed with sacred chrism, the same oil used in baptism and confirmation on the head, for sacred use, particularly in the sacramental life of the Church. I noted that Father Cooper was deeply moved at that moment, and it brought great joy to me as well. The sacred vessels, particularly the chalice given to Father Daniel for his ordination, were brought forward and used in the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
This particular moment in the life of our diocese reminds us of the great importance of our priests in the life of the Church. Men are called by Christ to share in His own priesthood in ordained ministry.
It is true that all the baptized also share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, but in the ordained priesthood the one chosen by God is set apart for the good of the Church. Without the ordained priesthood, the greatest sacramental treasures in the life of the Church are not possible, especially the sacrament of penance and most importantly the gift of the Eucharist itself.
The priest acts in the person of Jesus Christ in the celebration of the sacraments.
Our particular diocese is so blessed with many wonderful priests who serve the people of God here in this time and place. From our newly ordained all the way to men who have served 60 or more years, we are blessed with many pastors who mirror the heart of Jesus Himself.
We have men serving here who are also from other dioceses and parts of the world, and priests from wonderful religious communities who are also making an incredible contribution to the Diocese of Knoxville.
The joy of journeying throughout this diocese and experiencing the pastoral gifts of our priests is a true treasure. For this reason, I encourage all of you to help us to invite young men to consider such a rich and fulfilling vocation. The Lord is calling many, but He also needs our voices of invitation.
At the end of the liturgy on Saturday, June 6, as I looked at our newly ordained priest, our presbyterate gathered to celebrate, and the entire community of God’s people, I must admit that I felt a bit like a father at the birth of a child.
May God continue to bless our diocese with an abundance of Christian vocations, and particularly to the ordained priesthood.