Laying on of Hands, Passing on the Spirit

Jun 3

"Laying on of Hands" - Fr. Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, with the newly ordained Fr. Jonathan Dick, OSFS.

Last weekend, Oblate deacon Jonathan Dick was ordained a priest at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Wilmington, Delaware. An essential and ancient part of the ordination ritual is the "Laying on of Hands." Rooted in Scripture and the practice of the early Church, it signifies the passing on of spiritual authority and invokes the power of the Holy Spirit.

During the ceremony, the bishop confers the sacrament of Holy Orders by extending his arms and hands on the candidate for ordination. Tradition calls for all the other priests present at the ordination Mass to do the same. They will each lay their hands on the head of the newly ordained priest. This symbolizes the unity of the priesthood and a connection to the faith handed down from the Apostles.

"Laying on of Hands" - Fr. Alessandro "Sandy" Pocetto, OSFS, the oldest Oblate, laying his hands on Jonathan.

Last Saturday, over 30 priests gathered with Jonathan as they shared this sacred custom. This was not just a symbolic gesture, but a sign that the newly ordained is now sharing in their ministry.

A grace-filled and humbling moment occurred when Fr. Alessandro "Sandy" Pocetto, OSFS, came to lay his hands on Jonathan. Fr. Sandy is 99 years old and was born and raised in St. Anthony’s Parish. With some assistance from Brother Joe Schodowski, OSFS, the oldest Oblate in the world, gently placed his hands on a young man just beginning his priestly ministry. At that moment, Fr. Sandy was not just welcoming Fr. Jon into a fraternity of ministers; he was sharing a lifetime of celebrating the Eucharist, forgiving sins, anointing the sick, and shepherding the People of God.

Prior to the ritual of anointing and blessing, the Church had called upon all the saints as the congregation sang the ancient litany. The laying on of hands by all of the priests gathered in the church was a living sign of the communion of saints. In the moving moment between Fr. Sandy and Fr. Jon, the whole church - on earth and in heaven - seemed to be enveloping and embracing these two men who each said yes to serving God. The unbroken chain between priests was evident to all gathered to pray for and support the newest Oblate priest. The unbroken chain of a community - Oblate priests, brothers, seminarians, and sisters - was also strong that day. The Holy Spirit was powerfully present, as was the legacy of St. Francis de Sales and the vision of our founder, Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS.

May the Holy Spirit that united the first followers of Christ and connects us all across the centuries, give us the grace to spread the Good News and live Jesus in our own vocation.