Schools Page
Priestly Ordination
of Rev. Thomas Bierney
Church of the
Annunciation, Wexford
Solemnity of the
Birth of John the Baptist
Sunday, 24th
June, 2001
"The Lord called me before I was born,
from my mother's womb he pronounced my
name" (15.49:1).
He is the one of whom Jesus said: "I tell
you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John"
(Lk. 7:28).
"This was the man the prophet Isaiah spoke
of when he said: "A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the
Lord, make his paths straight" (Is. 3:3). St. John the Evangelist puts John the Baptist within the
Prologue of his Gospel: "A man came, sent by God.
His name was John. He came
as a witness, as a witness to speak for the light, so that everyone might
believe through him" (Jn. 1:6-7). It
is the Birth of this unique and chosen one in salvation history that we
celebrate today. We thank God for
this beacon of light, for this intrepid proclaimer of the Truth, for this Saint
who lost his head while preparing the Way of the Lord.
Today, here in this beautiful church dedicated to the Mystery of God's coming among us in the Person of His Son Jesus, we have just now witnessed the calling, by the Church, of one young man of this Parish Community of Faith, his calling to be a beacon of light, to be an intrepid proclaimer of the Truth, to be, not another John the Baptist but rather another Christ, an "Alter Christus", chosen to glorify God "in persona Christi Capitis" - in the person of Christ, the Head. He is called to lead God's people in the way of faith, humbly becoming a model for the flock (cf. Pt. 5:3) entrusted to his pastoral care, unfit to undo the strap of the sandals of the Lord, yet called, in the service of love, to wash the feet of His disciples (cf. Jn. 13:14)
Thomas, I welcome you in the name of Christ and
His Church. I thank you for having been open to the influence of God's
Grace in your life and for having so generously responded to His call.
Your offering of yourself is for the salvation of the world (cf. Jn.
6:51) for through it you will glorify God and be glorified by Him.
Your service of God's People in the ministerial Priesthood must be one of
total transparency and trustworthiness, never being afraid to witness by your
life and ministry the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in today's world.
As you offer yourself today for ordination, "the moment when Christ,
through consecration in the Holy Spirit, associates you in a special way with
His Priesthood for the world's salvation" (Pope John Paul. 13.05.2001),
know that your life from now on must be a continual offering of self, a daily
commitment of one's self despite the trials and difficulties you will inevitably
meet as you journey "in this valley of tears".
From this day on you will stand at the Altar and offer "in Persona
Christi-in the Person of Christ" the Eternal sacrifice of Calvary.
Remember always what is said to you today as you receive the Gifts for
Sacrifice: "Accept from the holy people of God the gifts to be offered to
Him. Know what you are doing and
imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your life on the mystery of the Lord's
Cross" (Rite of Ordination).
Thomas, the Holy Father has given us what I
might call the blue print for the Church's path in this new period of history in
his Apostolic Letter 'Novo Millennio Inuente'. Recently he emphasised this teaching when he was ordaining
new Priests in Rome. He said:
"It is up to you to guide the steps of the Christian people with generous
dedication, specifically taking into account two important areas of pastoral
commitment: 'starting afresh from Christ' (nn. 29-41) and being witnesses to
love' (nn.42-57). In this second
field, marked by communion and charity, what is decisive is the 'Christian
community's ability to make room for all the gifts of the Spirit' by encouraging
'all the baptised and confirmed to be aware of their active responsibility in
the Church's life' "(n.46). While
the work of the Church belongs to Christ, the responsibility for its mission in
the world belongs to all His People under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In the design of God the People of God cannot fulfil their mission
without the Priest, just as the Priest cannot fulfil his without the People.
As a Priest, Thomas, you are called to promote among the People of God a
spirit of collaborative ministry and to have a vision of Church which goes far
beyond the narrow confines of Parish or Diocese.
"In awareness of your mission, strive for holiness and spread love:
Be first and foremost 'in love with the Church', the Church on earth and that in
heaven, looking to her in faith and love, despite the spots and wrinkles that
can mark her human face" (Pope John Paul). The world, in which we live out the mission given to us by
Christ, will continue to highlight "the spots and wrinkles", the
breaks in trust and commitment, the lack of fidelity and transparency among
those called and ordained to be "a voice crying in the wilderness,
preparing the way of the Lord (cf. Lk. 3:4).
Every newly ordained Priest, indeed every Priest, is charged with the
task of being a healer and reconciler, a beacon of fidelity and love at the
heart of the Church.
In these days the People of God in Ireland have
been reminded in a most unique way of what it means to be "in love with the
Church". St. Therese of
Lisieux found her total Christian fulfilment in love. She said: "My vocation is love and to be love at the
heart of the Church". This is
also your vocation, Thomas.
Thomas, you are being ordained today for
priestly service in the Church of Cloyne. In
keeping with your initial inspiration and following the guidance of the Holy
Spirit you have wished to offer yourself, in a missionary spirit, for service
outside your home Church of Ferns. I
thank you for your generosity and I can assure you that you will find a great
welcome among the Priests, Religious and lay faithful of Cloyne.
My own maternal roots are very much in the Diocese of Ferns and I am
grateful to the Diocese, its Bishop, Most Rev. Brendan Comiskey, to the Priests
and People of this Parish of Clonard for the encouragement and assistance they
have given you on your vocational journey.
I welcome all the Priests who have come today to welcome you into the
Priesthood and may they, through this Ordination Ceremony, be renewed in their
own Priestly commitment.
I thank very particularly your dear Parents and
family and I congratulate them for having, through their 'love of Church'
enabled you to find your vocational way, your 'little way' to Priesthood.
To those who have been responsible for your
formation to Priesthood, both in St. John's College, Waterford and St. Patrick's
College, Maynooth, I express our deep sense of gratitude.
You have guided Thomas to this day.
May you continue to support him with your prayers.
Thomas, as you now step forward to be ordained a Priest of God forever
may you never lack the prayerful support of this Parish Community and of the
Diocese of Cloyne. Do not ever be afraid. The
Apostles Peter and Paul intercede for you. May St. John the Baptist be ever for you a reminder of how
the Lord has called you before you were born, how from your mother's womb he
pronounced your name (cf. 15.49:1). May
the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, intercede for you.
"Supported and encouraged by the communion
of deep prayer, set out! Put out
into the deep with courage, your sails filled with the breath of the Holy
Spirit. In this way you will
rejoice for all that the Lord achieves through you (cf. Acts 14:27) and will
experience even in the midst of trials and difficulties the greatness and joy of
your mission" (Pope John Paul. 13.05.01).
Come then, Thomas, and be a Priest of God forever.
Amen