So I'm gonna take a short break from stories and doctrines, and just stream a few thoughts your way. Today I attended a Catholic Ordination for the first time. For the last several months, St Albert the Great Catholic Parish has been very blessed by the ministry of Deacon Chris Riehl. Today, Deacon Riehl became Father Riehl at a Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral here in Knoxville, TN.
I was struck by this ceremony very similarly to how I was moved by the Rite of Election that was part of my conversion earlier this year. It's hard to explain, but since I've already started I'll give it a shot! :-) There is just something about a procession of the Bishop and his priests and deacons processing through the church along with the altar servers that hearkens back to more ancient times. Just knowing that I was witnessing a tradition that is literally thousands of years old was very humbling! To think: Jesus Christ commissioned his apostles to the ministry of "reconciling the world unto Himself". Then in due time those apostles ordained others who ordained others who ordained others all the way down to our priests and especially our Bishop here in Knoxville. As if that wasn't wonderful enough, I got to see a man ordained into that same line of faithful shepherds who will now take up that mantle and continue faithfully handing on the faith to the flock! It was like being present for the birth of a baby (except less messy! haha).
I guess that's why it was so incredible to see; because there was such intense beauty coming from such an ancient tradition! I suppose that's really a beauty of all the sacraments. They are ever ancient, and yet ever fresh and new! New life is born from ancient Baptism! New consecration is established by ancient Confirmation! New union with Christ our Lord and His church is made possible from the ancient Eucharist! New beginnings are offered from the ancient practice of Reconciliation (by confession)! New families are created by ancient marriage rites! New and necessary peace is brought forth from the ancient Anointing of the Sick! And of course, today, a new priest is "born" from ancient Holy Orders.
My prayers are with you Father Riehl as you serve the Lord Jesus and His Holy Church!
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Apostolic succession is something that I'm in awe of...the beauty of it, the care of our Shepherd to leave us not only a spiritual Church, but a physical body, where Authority is given and passed down to the faithful, to keep us 'in line' for our safety, not to suppress our freedom, but to give us the limits we need to thrive! God bless. Great blog. This was my former background for almost 4 years. Fond memories. God bless you.
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