From Archbishop Donoghue

Priestly Ordination of Joseph Morris
March 30, 1996
Church of the Transfiguration
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[See Georgia Bulletin account]

Dear Friends in Christ,

Truly this is a day of rejoicing for us all - for our brother and son Joseph, who will presently add his name to the list of priests of this Archdiocese, past and present - those men who have consecrated their lives to the service of our local Church - for his family and friends, who well know that the happiest of feelings is the surge that comes over our hearts when we consider the success and well-being of those whom we love - and last the Church of Jesus Christ, which perseveres in finding, nurturing, and ordaining those who follow Him to act as priests - as mediators between our earthly needs and failings, and the bountiful mercy of God the Father in heaven.

Each of these concerned parties - the man to be ordained into the priestly fraternity, his family and friends, and the Church - recognize and realize in a special way today, those words of Our Lord:

The command I give you is this: that you love one another.

The family and friends of the ordained show this love by expressing the pride and joy they feel in seeing one for whom they care deeply, finally reaching a high point of success - a culmination in a way, of years of support, interest, care, concern, and most importantly - years of prayer. It is a normal thing in the society of human beings to note with interest the career choices of

those whom we care about, but it is a special feeling that comes from within when we discover that a son or a brother, a friend or a colleague, has heard the call, and intends to become a priest. We think of these men not just as a priest, but as our priest - and just by knowing this ordained person, we feel perhaps a little safer, a little more protected in this world which can be so savage to the souls of persons, and so cynical about hopes and ideals. We realize then, that it is for our comfort and for our needs on the path of salvation that Christ has instituted the priesthood, and St. Paul knew this when he wrote the Corinthians, saying:

It is not ourselves we preach but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake.

Through the selfless ministry of the priest, this feeling of service and security in the Lordship of Jesus is made visible to the entire Church. For the about-to-be priest, Joseph Morris, will not minister solely to his family and friends, but to the entire community of God which now presents itself before him in a special way - the way of those who come to listen in order to hear the truth. When the word of the Lord came to the Prophet Jeremiah, and he experienced the overwhelming knowledge that he had been chosen, his first reaction was normal - "Lord God," he said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young." We don't know if Jeremiah was referring to his tender age, or to the fact that his knowledge and wisdom were as yet untested by the world and the Devil. But it doesn't matter. For those whom God calls, there is no excuse and no turning back - and so God answered Jeremiah with finality and a certain amount of fatherly sternness:

Say not, "I am too young." To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.

What strength there is for us in knowing that we can trust the Holy Spirit of God to send us shepherds, who will come with the words of truth in their mouths, and the conviction of a vocation - a vocation to bring those words of truth to life for all the men and women who make up the community of Jesus Christ, which is the Church.

In a few moments, that same community of Jesus Christ will witness and signify its assent and its joy, as I lay hands upon this man, and confer upon him a power and a special character that has been the honor of bishops to confer since the days when Jesus walked and talked with His twelve Apostles. But it is not the power to rule that I pass on, nor the power to coerce anyone into the position of Faith. Rather, it is the inexplicable power which rises from humility, and reflects not the pride of human nature, but instead, the sublime glory and everlasting mercy of God. Jesus Christ said to the men He had gathered around Him, and says again today:

Anyone among you who aspires to greatness must serve the rest, and whoever wants to rank first among you must serve the needs of all. Such is the case with the Son of Man who has come. . . to give his own life as a ransom for the many.

My brother Joseph, these words of Our Lord, and the holy rites that we will now perform are but the recollection and representation of a living mystery which defies rational understanding. It is a mystery which now will bind you in a special way to Jesus Christ, who chooses, not to call you a slave, but instead, to call you a friend. For from this day on, your life will be caught up into an intimate and individual relationship with Jesus Christ, realized above all in the Eucharistic sacrifice, which will be your privilege and sacred duty to perform faithfully from now on. This duty will remain the central act of your life, until that time when nature shall take its course, and your priestly duties will be exchanged for a heavenly reward - an eternal banquet at which the High Priest, Jesus Christ, will preside in glory.

My brothers and sisters all, as we await together the day of our heavenly reward, let us continue to thank God at this Mass and at every Mass for all priests, who have heard the call of God, and by His grace, have answered the call and become servants of Christ's faithful Flock. We have before us - in our parishes, in our institutes of Christian charity, and indeed, upon the whole wide stage which is the Catholic Church, the example of their steadfastness, their leadership, and their generosity - clear indications of the fact that Jesus Christ cares for us, and wishes us to enjoy His living Presence, a Presence brought forth for us upon the altars of our churches, by the caring hands of His faithful priests. And how could we ever think otherwise, for we have heard the firm promise He made us, and we find unweakened, the strong comfort of His words:

As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you. Live on in my love.

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