Yesterday, June 24th, our good friend Joe Baker received Holy Orders and became Fr. Joe Baker. It is always a happy moment for us to see one of our brother seminarians ordained to the priesthood. The annual ceremony is one of the most joyous celebrations of the year. When planning this pilgrimage, we had taken into consideration that we would be missing our brother seminarian’s ordination. Not being present for such a momentous day has proven to be more difficult than we first thought it would be. It really hit home after seeing the pictures with Fr. Joe fully vested along with Deacons Luke Syse and Jared Holzhuter who were ordained only about three months ago. For Michael, it is a strange feeling to see the pictures but not have had a front row seat by serving the Ordination Mass, which he has been doing for six years now. It is difficult to be away from our brother seminarians especially for such a significant event, but we look forward to seeing them at our summer’s end gathering before departing to our different seminaries. Till then, we’ll keep connected through prayer.
We have found consolation in praying for Fr. Baker on the ocassion of his ordination and first Mass. Even though we have been mostly praying by our selves since we left the U.S., we know that, by prayer and especially the Eucharist, we are united not only to our brother seminarians but the Church throughout the whole word.
If you could please take a brief moment to pray for all seminarians as they continue to discern the Lord’s call and as they approach their ordination, that would be very much appreciated. And as always, please know of our prayers for you as we continue our pilgrimage.
-Michael and Luke