It was with an overwhelming sense of joy, anticipation and a few tears that five seminarians from the Diocese of Parramatta recently undertook the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for the priesthood.
The five – Jeffrey Hood, Jose Velentine (JV) Lim, Paul Tran, Macky Amores and Luke Huynh – are all students at the Holy Spirit Seminary at Harris Park, and for them affirming their vows for Candidacy is one of the final steps in their long journey to becoming priests.
The Mass was held in St Oliver Plunkett’s Parish, Harris Park, on 8 November and was celebrated by Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, in front of family, friends and excited parishioners.
In his homily, Bishop Vincent said Candidacy formalises the commitment of the seminarians “to self-sacrifice, humble service and servant leadership. It is to follow the example of Christ who came not to be served but to serve”.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv celebrated the Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
Vice-rector of the seminary Fr John Frauenfelder said the Mass was a significant one for seminarians because it signalled the beginning of the final chapter in their path to the priesthood – “a way of life into the future that they’ve been seeking and dreaming and hoping and longing for” – but that the priesthood is still a way off and requires hard work to reach.
“It’s a really significant moment, but it’s not a moment to take the future for granted,” Fr John said. “It’s a moment to home in on the seriousness of the present moment – from a step that was taken in the call to Candidacy, the first official call that names them as potential candidates for the ordained ministry – and realise that there is still work to be done.”
‘The joyful celebration of Candidacy’
Seminarian Jose Valentine said the Mass signalled to him the seriousness of the decision he had made to become a priest, as potential ordination was not far away. But at the same time it was also a time for excitement and joy at reaching this stage, and sharing this excitement with his brother seminarians.
“That’s the gravity, but also the enjoyment, the joyful celebration of Candidacy,” he said.
The seminarians during the Mass. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
For Paul Tran, the Mass was a “special moment” because it came after years spent deepening his formation and discernment. He said he was overjoyed to publicly express his intention to the priesthood and the deep commitment to serving the people of God.
The Mass was a very moving experience for Jeffery Hood, who said he was “quite teary because of what it meant”.
“To hear the words that the Bishop addressed to us and the questions that he asked us made it very real – to make public statements about our commitment to follow our vocations in this way and to commit ourselves to growing closer to God and continuing that spiritual journey that’s so much a part of our movement towards the priesthood.”
Support from parishioners ‘a blessing’
Holding the Mass in a “real life parish” was significant, both for seminarians and parishioners, as it showed the “place of the ordained person within the community of the church”, Fr John said.
Seminarian Luke Huynh has been working with groups in the Harris Park parish and said they were “overjoyed” to be involved in the Mass, with many congratulating him afterwards.
Bishop Vincent congratulates the seminarians. Image: Alphonsus Fok/ Diocese of Parramatta
He said the support that he and his fellow seminarians had had from people in the Diocese continues to be a blessing for them.
“All of us have received a lot of spiritual, physical, emotional and financial support from all the people here, to be formed in the Diocese of Parramatta, and we appreciate it,” he said.
“Deep in our hearts, we thank God and the people of God in the Diocese for guiding us and supporting us on this journey.”
Holy Spirit Seminarians (L-R) Luke Huynh, Jose Valentine Lim, Paul Tran, Jeffrey Hood (seated) and Macky Amores with Vice-Rector Fr John Frauenfelder. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Seminarian Macky Amores said knowing that people from all over the Diocese were excited for their progress was important for them to know they were loved and valued. But he said parishioners were also loved by the seminarians who were praying for them.
“It’s a mutual prayer for each one of us that we are walking together to Christ, and we are walking together with our faith,” he said.
To find out more about a vocation to the priesthood in the Diocese of Parramatta, visit www.parracatholic.org/seminary, contact the Holy Spirit Seminary or the Director of Vocations: Priesthood, Fr Galbert Albino, at vocations@parracatholic.org
If you would like to donate to the Holy Spirit Seminary, please go here.
View more images from the Mass here.
