Cardinal Blase J. Cupich to Ordain Eight Priests for the Archdiocese of Chicago on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Holy Name Cathedral
Chicago, IL (May 10, 2019) – Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, will ordain eight diocesan priests at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at Holy Name Cathedral, 735 North State Street, Chicago. The candidates for ordination range in age from 28 to 38 and hail from the Chicagoland area and Michigan, as well as Mexico, Uganda and Vietnam.
“It is with great joy that we welcome eight young men into the priesthood, all of whom will be wonderful shepherds to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago,” said Cupich. “As they start their journeys, we pray that the Holy Spirit guides them to be strong in their vocations as faithful and fervent priests walking side-by-side with their flock.”
Men become priests through the Sacrament of Holy Orders, a celebration rich in symbolism and tradition. At the center of ordination is the moment when Cupich imposes his hands on the candidates’ heads and prays over them, asking that God grant them an outpouring of the Holy Spirit for the ministry they will undertake as priests. After the new priests are clothed in their vestments, Cupich will anoint their hands with oil, hand them a chalice and paten for the celebration of the Eucharist, and give each one the sign of peace.
At ordination, priests receive a wide variety of responsibilities, particularly celebrating the Mass and granting forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Priests also preach the Gospel, and celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism, Matrimony, and Anointing of the Sick. Diocesan priests make promises of life-long celibacy, prayer for the People of God, and obedience to their bishop at their ordination. It is also expected that priests will lead a life of simplicity consistent with the people they serve.
Each candidate for ordination has completed at least six years of human, spiritual, academic and pastoral formation, which included an exhaustive study of philosophy, Catholic theology, the history of the Church, and pastoral practice. As part of their seminary education, future priests are also assigned to parishes, schools, and hospitals as they develop their capacity to be shepherds of God’s people.
ORDINANDI
Robert Carlton, 36, from Evanston, will have his first assignment at St. John Brebeuf in Niles. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sat., May 18, 2019 at 5 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Parish, 7211 W. Talcott, Chicago.
Marco Franco, 28, from Zapopan in the state of Jalisco, Mexico, will have his first assignment at Good Shepherd Parish in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sun., May 19, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Parish, 2735 S. Kolin Ave., Chicago.
Patrick Kizza, 38, from Kampala, Uganda, will have his first assignment at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Glenview. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sat., May 18, 2019 at 5 p.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 1775 Grove St., Glenview.
Ryan McMillin, 30, from Oak Lawn, will have his first assignment at St. James Parish in Arlington Heights. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sun., May 19, 2019 at noon at St. Linus Parish, 10300 Lawler Ave., Oak Lawn.
Ton Nguyen, 28, from Phan Thiet, Vietnam, will have his first assignment at Saint Julie Billiart Parish in Tinley Park. He will celebrate his first Masses on Sat., May 18, 2019 at 5:30 p.m. in Vietnamese at St. Henry Parish in Chicago’s West Rogers Park neighborhood, and in English on Sun., May 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Mary Seat of Wisdom Parish in Park Ridge.
Br. Matthew Schuster, 31, from Leonard, Mich., will have his first assignment at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sun., May 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. John Cantius, 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago.
Jay Suero, 31, from Downers Grove, will have his first assignment St. Francis of Assisi in Orland Park. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sun., May 19, 2019 at 11 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Parish, 7399 W. 159th St., Tinley Park.
Br. David Yallaly, 32, from Villa Grove, Ill., will have his first assignment at St. John Cantius Parish in Chicago. He will celebrate his first Mass on Sun., May 19, 2019 at 1 p.m., at St. John Cantius, 825 N. Carpenter St., Chicago.
