PRIESTS' ORDINATION 2024

SACRED HANDS: SACRED SERVICE
For the three men ordained to the priesthood on June 1, 2024, for the Archdiocese of New Orleans - Fathers Austin Barr, Jorge Gomez and Cuong Minh Tran - it is a quiet moment, almost a secret moment, that takes place far away from the eyes of the congregation. After the archbishop anoints the hands of the new priests with scented, sacred chrism, they walk silently into the sacristy to wipe the fragrant oil on a small cloth that traditionally is given to their mothers. And, then, the new priests wash their hands with lemon and water. For the first time as priests, they embrace each other and confer their first blessings as priests. The scent of the sacred chrism lingers. Their hands are anointed to touch the sacred, and their hands are anointed to anoint others through the priesthood of Jesus Christ.

[@JennyVanRooyen]

Beautiful

[@lanbaode]

Congratulations to the new presbyters! May you all take and follow the words of Pope Francis: be rooted in Jesus Christ-don't forget to pray; stay close to the people you serve by smelling like the sheep-you are to serve not lord over them, avoid careerism and clericalism-don't get any sense of clergy entitlement and superiority over the laity, continuously read and study especially the scriptures so that you always deliver quality homilies, be attuned to and apply the reforms and teachings of Vatican II-don’t appear like liturgical clowns by desiring grandmother laces and guitar shaped vestments. In light of the ongoing crisis and scandal: don’t be enticed and get trapped in the "frociaggine" (the adjective used by Pope Francis) subculture of the gay lavender mafia within the clergy which is at the root of and operation of the homosexual predation sex abuse scandal by the clergy and cover up by bishops.