The Mass was a joyful and beautiful blend of ancient Catholic traditions spoken and sung in diverse languages.
It began with a stunning procession led by the Knights of Columbus dressed in full uniform, followed by the six men - Carlos Martinez, Jose Antonio Orozco, Tomas Guillen, Ken Vu, Dominic Vu and Hau Vu (no relation) to join the priesthood. Their parents processed with them toward the altar. Behind them followed what looked like a sea of white, as Bishop Gerald Barnes, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Rutilio del Riego and 51 priests from the Diocese dressed in white vestments completed the opening procession.
The readings, chosen carefully beforehand by the six soon-to-be priests, were proclaimed in English, Spanish and Vietnamese.
In his homily, Bishop Barnes thanked the community for assisting in the formation of the six men. Then he addressed his remarks to the six he was to ordain.
“Remember that you are from the people and sent back to the people,” he said. “They are to see you in God’s love and God’s friendship. You are to be one with them and to know them as well as you know the Lord Jesus. You are to let them continue to form you in the Spirit of Christ and you are to be that Christ that is with them in their times of joy and in their times of sorrow.”
After the homily, each of the six men knelt before the Bishop and confirmed their acceptance of their new responsibilities as priests with “I do.” And then in a gesture of humility, they laid prostrate before the altar as the community sang the Litany of Supplication.
“It was so beautiful to see them commit so much to our faith and lay there in complete humility to the Lord,” said Maria Magana, overwhelmed with emotion after the Mass. Her family met Carlos Martinez during his internship last year at St. Christopher Parish in Moreno Valley and came to celebrate his Ordination.
Following the moving chant, the six men knelt before Bishop Barnes and, with the Laying on of Hands, he ordained each of them to the priesthood. All 51 priests present followed Bishop Barnes in continuing the solemn ritual with each of the men.
After the Kiss of Peace, the six men proceeded to the altar for the first time as the Diocese of San Bernardino’s newest priests. The congregation responded with an extended, roaring applause.
Three of the new priests were nominated to say a few words to the congregation. Father Jose Antonio Orozco delivered his in Spanish, Father Dominic Vu in Vietnamese and Father Hau Vu in English. Not quite used to his new vestments, Father Hau had some trouble finding his notes from his side pocket. The crowd laughed when he finally found them.
“I stand here not only as a son, a brother but now as a father,” he said. “Father Hau Vu. It has a nice ring to it.”
One of the most talked about moments of any Ordination is the announcement of a priest’s first parish assignment. Bishop Barnes joked with the crowd as he began with the first assignment for “Father Vu,” intentionally leaving out the first name. He then announced where each would be assigned - Father Hau Vu to The Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Redlands, Father Ken Vu to Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Father Dominic Vu to St. Kateri Tekakwitha in Beaumont, Father Carlos Martinez to St. Joseph in Upland, Father Tomas Guillen to Holy Family in Hesperia and Father Jose Antonio Orozco to St. James in Perris.
Clara Batyi, who participated in the offertory and is a member of the Serra Club of San Bernardino, was thrilled.
“I’m so excited that six more priests will be able to help our Diocese,” she said.
It equaled the largest class of men ever ordained in the diocese, tied with the class of 2008. The Diocese hopes to ordain five more priests next year.
After the Mass, the new priests gathered at the altar with Bishop Barnes for photos. Friends, family and well wishers crowded at the altar to congratulate and pray with them, and receive their blessing.
“I am overwhelmed with such great joy to be serving the people of God now as a priest,” said Father Carlos Martinez. “It is something that I’m finding difficult to put into words right now.”
Malie Hudson is a freelance writer.