Through the Archbishop's laying on of hands and the subsequent prayer of ordination, the candidates are given the special gift, a gift which will never be lost, the Holy Spirit. It configures the ordained minister to Christ, consecrates him to his service and makes him share in Christ's mission.
The prostration of the candidate before God is a sign of his nothingness before Him. Since the sacredness of the responsibilities asked for by this great Sacrament (of Ordination) needs the help of the Divine and the Saints in heaven, the entire assembly call on the Saints in heaven for assistance and protection.
Fr. Alvin, Fr. Allen and myself on May 5, 1997
PRAYER FOR PRIESTS
O Jesus, our great High Priest,
Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Father [Name].
Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love
which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life.
In his loneliness, comfort him
In his sorrows, strengthen him
In his frustrations, point out to him
That it is through suffering that the soul is purifies,
and show him that he is needed by the Church,
he is needed by souls,
he is needed for the work of redemption.
O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests,
take to your heart your son who is close to you
because of his priestly ordination,
and because of the power which he has received
to carry on the work of Christ
in a world which need him so much.
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength,
and especially help him to live and to defend
the ideals of consecrated celibacy. Amen.
John Joseph, Cardinal Carberry (+1998)
Archbishop of St. Louis 1968-1979
