By Patrick T. Brown | Correspondent
In parishes around the world, the First Reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent reminded many that just one week remained until the celebration of Christmas.
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The words of Isaiah promise that “the Lord himself will give you a sign; the virgin shall conceive and bear a son.”
For the six seminarians who took part in the Rite of Candidacy Dec. 17, the passage’s reminder of the importance of looking for signs – and of being patient for things long-awaited – held a deeper significance.
Celebrated during Mass in St. Paul Church, Princeton, by Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., the seminarians undertook the Rite of Candidacy as a formal step of embarking toward the priesthood. Four of the six will be ordained transitional deacons in the spring.
“If we were honest, we would admit that we have all looked for and asked God for signs, at times,” Bishop O’Connell said in his homily. “‘Give me a sign, Lord, if this is right path for me, the right person, the right spouse, the right job, the right vocation.’
“Our seminarians here today look for signs that God is calling them to the priesthood. The ceremony in which they participate in the presence of the Church tonight is one of those signs to them,” he said.
Following the Bishop’s homily, Msgr. Thomas J. Mullelly, Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life and Director of Seminarians, called out the names of each of the six seminarians: Christopher Dayton, Michael DeSaye, Brother Nicholas Dolan, Frank Flaherty, Christopher Pinto and James Smith.
They each responded “present,” and stood in the front pew of the church as the Bishop welcomed them into the next step in their formation.
Dayton, DeSaye, Dolan, and Smith will be ordained as transitional deacons in the spring. Flaherty and Pinto will continue in formation at their seminary.
The Bishop was joined by eight priests at the altar, including Msgr. Mullelly; Father Michael Wallack, secretary to Bishop O’Connell, episcopal master of ceremonies and director of vocations for the Diocese; Father Daniel Swift and Father Garry Koch, both of whom serve as assistant directors of vocations for the Diocese, and Msgr. Joseph Rosie, pastor of St. Paul Parish.
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