50 of my fellow seminarians were ordained today, and I almost missed the Mass and ceremony.
I almost laughed out loud as I looked at the seat in front of me on the bus. I had to either laugh or cry, and neither was really going to make a difference. "This couldn't be happening," I thought to myself
8:00 am - (Home, Via Aurelia, 677) The bus left the house two hours early for the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Plenty of time to think and reflect, and it was the last ordination before my own. God willing in 365 days I would be leaving the house to return a priest.
8:00 am - (Home, Via Aurelia, 677) The bus left the house two hours early for the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Plenty of time to think and reflect, and it was the last ordination before my own. God willing in 365 days I would be leaving the house to return a priest.
8:30 am - (Somewhere on the highway but still very close to home) Things on the bus were different, not quite so happy. Rain and a public transportation strike (almost weekly in Italy) brought traffic to a standstill.
9:15 am - (On a backroad further away and still stuck in traffic) We were desperate. Backtracking less than an hour from the event, some had given up hope of arriving and others were losing it.
9:15 am - (On a backroad further away and still stuck in traffic) We were desperate. Backtracking less than an hour from the event, some had given up hope of arriving and others were losing it.
We started at the red dot and were going to the green one, but for some reason were stuck at the yellow star.
10:00 am - (On a semi-backroad but closer and at least moving) Well identified with our fate, at least at this point we knew we were going to be late and not miss the whole thing.
10:15 am - (Arriving at St. John's in the middle of the readings) We made it at last. "Better late than never," I thought to myself, as we inched our way towards the front so that we could get a good view 50 of my fellow seminarians. They were about to be ordained priests.
As I finally sunk down in a chair, relief flooded my mind - one of those moments where we are powerless to do anything. It didn't matter much I wanted it!
10:00 am - (On a semi-backroad but closer and at least moving) Well identified with our fate, at least at this point we knew we were going to be late and not miss the whole thing.
10:15 am - (Arriving at St. John's in the middle of the readings) We made it at last. "Better late than never," I thought to myself, as we inched our way towards the front so that we could get a good view 50 of my fellow seminarians. They were about to be ordained priests.
As I finally sunk down in a chair, relief flooded my mind - one of those moments where we are powerless to do anything. It didn't matter much I wanted it!
Maybe that was what God was trying to tell me!
As I watched each of the new priests pass by, I thought of my own story, and it hit me hard. I had no idea what God's plan entailed for them or for me.
No matter how hard I try or how much I want, things don't always turn out my way. Priesthood, marriage, single life. America, Ireland, Italy. Youth work, study, office work.
God is in control, and I listen to his voice. I try to be in the right place at the right time so that HE can make things happen. With God's grace next year I hope to be the one kneeling in front of the bishop and walking out a priest.
Thanks God for the gift vocation to the priesthood. The last time I was in Rome was on the Baptism of Magdi Allam. Today, I saw another momentous event today and I'm very happy to see 50 young men who love Jesus so much as to give themselves of to His service.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this page Bro. Mark and I look forward to seeing you in your own Ordination.
Beautiful experience with your fellow 50 of Seminarians Were ordained today. And I love that phrase you have written: Live the ordinary in an extraordinary way - Become a man, a saint in the humdrum of today's world. Blessings, Daniel.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, thanks for your support and prayers. It would be great if you could make it to my ordination, and in the meantime, please keep me in the prayers.
ReplyDeleteDaniel, thank you very much! I hope that we can help many others to be men and saints in today's world.
ReplyDeletePardon for the redundance in what I've written earlier. Yes, you are in my prayers. Take care of your vocation Bro. Mark. I may not be present physically in your Ordination, but I will be with you and your companions spiritually.
ReplyDeleteI tried to follow thru my pc, but there were problems on line as I tried with other vocation points in Spain and they too encountered the same. With God's will I will try to be at your Ordination next year, although I don't like to make arrangements a long terms, with the way God
ReplyDeleteloves me, it's better to take a step at a time.
Wouldn't believe it, but that's how He works with me. GOD BLESS!!!!
Oh Brother, that's so all so real!!
ReplyDeleteIt's such a joy to see situations one can relate to on the 'outside' of a spiritual life. Due to my temperament, I would have been drowning is dismal hopelessness and angst; it was good to see the graces at work in your situation, and I'm glad you were there 'in time'.
Moreover, I want to express to you my acute fascination with your blog. I repeatedly enjoy reading new posts and comments. Rest assured, you have a constant viewer in me :]
Merry Christmas! And God bless you
James, thanks a lot for your comment! Merry Christmas. Just like at Christmas, in reallity it is the Christ child who works in our soul to transform us one day at a time. God bless, and happy to hear you enjoy the blog.
ReplyDeleteBr. Mark