Ordination of Priests at the Cathedral of St Joseph
Today marks a momentous occasion for the Diocese of Baton Rouge as Deacons Huy Tran and Josh Zelden are ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of St. Joseph . This sacred Rite of Ordination is far more than a ceremonial event; it is a profound sacramental act, where, through the laying on of hands by the Bishop and the consecratory prayer, a gift of the Holy Spirit is conferred, enabling them to exercise a "sacred power" in the person of Christ the Head (CCC 1538, 1548). As the Catholic Ordination book describes, the liturgy itself is rich in symbolism, from the calling of the candidates and their public promises of obedience, to their humble prostration during the Litany of the Saints, signifying their complete surrender to God's will. This day is the culmination of years of formation, prayer, and discernment, preparing them to serve God's people in a unique and indispensable way. The priesthood, as described by St. Jean Vianney , the Curé of Ars, is a subl...