June 22, 2002 Corpus Christi Sunday this year explains how tightly my life is connected to the Most Holy Eucharist. Twelve years ago on this day of June 22, I was ordained a priest. That day for the first time I concelebrated Mass with the Archbishop who ordained us. It was such an overwhelming moment. The day before I could say the words of consecration most piously but nothing would happen to bread and wine. That Saturday morning when the Archbishop imposed his hands on my head I was graced with the gift of the Priesthood which has joined me to Christ so closely and Christ to me. This union is so close that Christ uses me to give his brothers and sisters his Body and Blood. That overwhelming feeling of wonder I had when I stood with my classmates around the altar 12 years ago hasn’t worn off. It still amazes me and humbles me, when I see how humble our Divine Saviour Jesus Christ is when he becomes present at the words I say every day: “This is my Body. This is my Blood.” I hope that I can grow in obedience to him who is so obedient to the priests he has called to serve him and his Holy People.
I have done Masses in so many places but the most powerful thing is that I have been able to celebrate Mass every single day. First I saw it as being close to Christ but very quickly I realized that when I say Mass, even on my own, it unites me to the people I serve. I love socializing with people that’s why I love doing Mass every day because when I celebrate Mass I am united to them through closeness to Jesus present on the Altar under the species of Bread and Wine.
Today I also thank God for those good friends of mine who were ordained with me that day. We were only a small class (for Polish standards). That day in 2002, five of us were ordained. I cannot express how much they contributed to my formation over seven years of preparation for the Ordination. I believe that were like tools in God’s hands to sculpture me. That day when we left the church with the Archbishop it was the last time we gathered as a group. It has never happened again. We were good friends but our friendship wasn’t just for ourselves. It was for Christ and his Holy Church. Those five priests ordained on June 22, 2002, minister now in five different countries: Poland, Luxemburg, Ukraine, Venezuela and Australia. I guess we couldn’t get more spread across the planet but it shows how big the Heart of Jesus is. He wants to reach to all people that’s why he invites his missionaries to go to faraway places. It does feel good.
I have done Masses in so many places but the most powerful thing is that I have been able to celebrate Mass every single day. First I saw it as being close to Christ but very quickly I realized that when I say Mass, even on my own, it unites me to the people I serve. I love socializing with people that’s why I love doing Mass every day because when I celebrate Mass I am united to them through closeness to Jesus present on the Altar under the species of Bread and Wine.
Today I also thank God for those good friends of mine who were ordained with me that day. We were only a small class (for Polish standards). That day in 2002, five of us were ordained. I cannot express how much they contributed to my formation over seven years of preparation for the Ordination. I believe that were like tools in God’s hands to sculpture me. That day when we left the church with the Archbishop it was the last time we gathered as a group. It has never happened again. We were good friends but our friendship wasn’t just for ourselves. It was for Christ and his Holy Church. Those five priests ordained on June 22, 2002, minister now in five different countries: Poland, Luxemburg, Ukraine, Venezuela and Australia. I guess we couldn’t get more spread across the planet but it shows how big the Heart of Jesus is. He wants to reach to all people that’s why he invites his missionaries to go to faraway places. It does feel good.
Litany of the Saints. One who is to be a priest needs to be humble. Prostrating before the moment of the ordination expresses the need of humility for the future priests.
Ancient gesture of the imposition of the hands. I makes a connection to the time of Jesus and his Apostles.
Vested as priests for the first time and ready to celebrate Mass for the first time. A bit overwhelmed too ;)
Receiving a paten with bread from the hands of the Archbishop for the first time in order to be able to receive the bread at every Mass from the hands of the faithful and consecrate it so that it could become Jesus' Body and Blood
Class 2002. The last time together.
Mum and Dad look overwhelmed too. Australia is calling (right corner)
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