Nine ordained to the priesthood

By Donis Tracy

Pilot Correspondent

Standing before a cathedral packed with family members, fellow seminarians, hundreds of priests and deacons, and a multitude of friends looking on, nine men — seven from St. John Seminary and two from Blessed John XXIII National Seminary — were ordained to the priesthood on May 24 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross.

“Today is a very happy day for the ordinands, for their families and friends, for the presbyterate and for the whole archdiocese. I rejoice with them and pray that God will bless them abundantly all the days of their lives,” said Bishop Richard Lennon, Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Boston.

Boston’s newest priests—(front row l. to r.) Fathers Nicholas Sannella, Matthew Williams, Richard Burton, Martin McNulty and James Achadinha. (Back row, l to r.) Fathers Brian Smith, Patrick Armano, Bishop Richard Lennon, Fathers Brian Flynn and Daniel McCoy. Pilot photo by Peter Smith

“Consider carefully the position to which they are to be promoted,” Bishop Lennon advised the assembly during the homily. “God has chosen some of His followers to carry out within the Church a priestly ministry, in His name, on behalf of all mankind.”

“They are to serve Christ — the teacher, priest and shepherd — in His ministry,” he said.

Bishop Lennon also exhorted the new priests to serve with “genuine joy and love” and an “abiding concern for all people.”

“Apply all your energies to the duty of teaching,” he said.

He impressed on them the importance of celebrating the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist, “a sacrifice which is offered sacramentally through your hands.”

Underscoring the importance of their mission, Bishop Lennon said, “Remember, you have been chosen from among God’s people. Let the doctrine that you teach be true nourishment for the people of God.”

“Strive to bring the faithful together in one family so that they may be one flock with God’s people,” he continued.

During the chanting of the Litany of the Saints, each of the nine men prostrated himself in the center of the cathedral, as a sign of humility.

Bishop Lennon then received the promise of obedience. “Do you promise obedience and respect to me and to my successors?” he asked. “May God who has begun this good work in you bring it to completion.”

He laid his hands upon each ordinand and invited all the priests in the assembly to do the same.

As part of the ceremony, each of the newly ordained was vested with the stole and chasuble — the signs of the office of priesthood — by a priest of his choosing. The hands of each of the newly ordained were anointed with the Oil of Chrism as Bishop Lennon prayed, “The Father anointed our Lord Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. May Jesus preserve you to sanctify the Christian people and to offer sacrifice to God.”

The new priests then took their places behind the altar to concelebrate the Eucharist.

Following the distribution of communion, prior to the end of the liturgy, each of the newly ordained priests was given his first assignment. [See Official Box page 2.]

For Bishop Lennon, this ordination was a very special event — prior to becoming apostolic administrator, he served as rector of St. John Seminary, where seven of the newly ordained received their formation.

Speaking after the liturgy, the bishop proudly declared, “This is a wonderful day for the archdiocese.”

However, he admitted that these priests now face several challenges. “As the numbers of priests go down,” he said, “more and more is asked from each individual priest. As a newly ordained, that is particularly challenging.”

“I’m not worried about what’s going on in terms of the [priest] shortage,” stated Father James Achadinha, one of the newly ordained priests. “I’m going to do my best to serve God’s people and to bring God’s love to all people in whatever way I can — one person at a time, one family at a time.”

“God chose me. He put something in my heart ever since I was a little kid,” he continued.

“There’s just no words to describe the emotions, the feelings, the happiness. I want to jump for joy,” Father Achadinha exclaimed.

Another of the newly ordained, Father Martin McNulty, echoed Father Achadinha’s joy. “It’s a beautiful day — a beautiful ceremony.”

“It’s really nice to see these guys finally here – to be able to call them ‘Father’,” said Chris Palladino, of West Roxbury. Palladino entered St. John Seminary three years ago and hopes to be ordained to the priesthood in three years. “For three years we’ve lived together — and I’m just overjoyed for these guys.”

“I don’t need any shoes to walk,” laughed Paul Williams, proud parent of Father Matthew Williams. Williams spoke of the “overwhelming blessing” he felt watching his son become a priest. “This is a gift from God. I gave up my only son, but I gained the entire Church,” he said.

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