One more year...

Photo credit: Parable Magazine

This past Saturday, our former Campus Minister and Theology teacher, Mr. Andrew Nelson, was ordained a transitional deacon by Bishop Libasci at Saint Joseph Cathedral.  It was an absolutely beautiful Mass and the 900-seat cathedral was packed full.

Bishop Libasci preached a wonderful homily (without any notes) on the role Andrew's parents played in bringing him up in the faith and on Andrew and his parents asking the question, "Quo vadis Domine?" ("Where are you going, Lord?")  After he was ordained, Andrew was vested by Father Cecil Donahue, OSB, a monk from Saint Anselm College and a very good friend of mine (and of many of my friends) from St. A's.  It was very, very touching to see Father Cecil put the robes on Andrew.

The following day, Deacon Andrew assisted at his first Mass and preached at Ste. Marie's Parish in Manchester.  How lucky is he to get to preach for the first time on Pentecost?  He gave a very nice homily but what got me a little choked up was when we said "And with your spirit" as he prepared to read the gospel.  That line is a sign of the authority of the deacon or priest and it just moved me to see this guy who I first met as his RA in college now serving as a leader in the Church.

Andrew will spend the summer at Good Shephered Parish in Berlin, NH and then head back to Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore for his final year.  He will be ordained a priest, God willing, on June 1, 2013.