Archdiocese of New York Priests Ordained at St. Patrick's Cathedral
By: Steven Schwankert
Ordinandi take their vows and prepare for their first assignments
The Archdiocese of New York welcomed seven men to the priesthood on Saturday, May 25, with the Mass of Priestly Ordination held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan.
Pews in the center of the Cathedral were filled with non-participating clergy members, along with family members of the ordinandi, as those being ordained are known, and other well-wishers for the two-hour ceremony.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated the ordination Mass, which was concelebrated by bishops and clergy from throughout the archdiocese, including: Auxiliary Bishop Edmund Whalen, Vicar for Clergy; Auxiliary Bishop John Bonnici; Auxiliary Bishop Peter Byrne; Auxiliary Bishop Gerardo Colacicco; Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Espaillat; Diocese of Brooklyn Auxiliary Bishop James Massa, rector of St. Joseph’s Seminary; and Monsignor Joseph LaMorte, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of New York.
The Mass began with a long procession of the dozens of concelebrating bishops and clergy, led by the ordinandi.
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it,” Cardinal Dolan said, welcoming those in attendance.
Scripture readings were delivered in both English and Spanish. The gospel was read by Deacon Christopher T. Mendoza of St. Columbanus Parish in Cortlandt Manor, whose son, William, was one of the seven men being ordained.
Following the gospel, Deacon Mendoza read the names of the ordinandi, and each came forward. Cardinal Dolan ceremonially questioned Bishop Massa if the ordinandi were known to be worthy. “After inquiry among the Christian people, and upon the recommendation of those responsible, I testify that they have been found worthy,” Bishop Massa said. ““Relying on the help of the Lord God and of our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these our brothers for the order of the priesthood,” Cardinal Dolan responded.
“These walls this morning shake with thanks, gratitude to almighty God, Father, and Holy Spirit, for the gift of seven spanking new priests. A half-dozen for this joyful and hungry Archdiocese of New York; one for our cherished Franciscan Friars of the Renewal,” Cardinal Dolan said in his homily.
“Dear seven: savor, savor dearly the in-dwelling of that most blessed trinity within your souls, through that priceless gift of sanctifying grace. Never, ever dull or compromise that inestimable gift through sin or dilution of your priesthood, and beam so that all can see that your vocation is a channel, a transmitter, an agent of that sanctifying grace to your people,” Cardinal Dolan said, noting that the following day was Trinity Sunday.
Cardinal Dolan and the concelebrants individually laid hands on each of the ordinandi. The seven declared their intentions to join the priesthood before those in attendance. Each took vows of obedience and chastity. Cardinal Dolan anointed all seven with chrism, consecrated oil.
The newly ordained also received and donned their stole and chasuble, the principal garment of the priest celebrating the Eucharist. Having been ordained, they then joined as concelebrants of the Mass.
At the conclusion of the Mass, in a particularly moving gesture, Cardinal Dolan asked the seven new priests for their first blessing and knelt before them to receive it.
The seven priests ordained Saturday are:
Father Michelangelo Pio Best, CFR
All seven have received their first assignments from Cardinal Dolan:
Reverend Father David Louis Birkdale, parochial vicar, Church of Ss. John and Paul and St. Augustine, Larchmont for the summer with return to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington in September
Reverend Father Vincent Michael Castaldi, parochial vicar, Church of St. Philip Neri, Bronx for the summer with return to graduate studies at the Catholic University of America, Washington in September
Reverend Father Jonathan Hipolito Castro parochial vicar, Church of St. John Chrysostom, Bronx
Reverend Father Victor Gjergji, parochial vicar, Church of St. Columba, Hopewell Junction for the summer with return to graduate studies at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce, Rome in October
Reverend Father Paul Louis Kucharski, parochial vicar, Church of St. Joseph, Bronxville
Reverend Father William Christopher Mendoza, parochial vicar, Church of the Resurrection, Rye
For the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
• Reverend Father Michelangelo Pio Best, CFR