October 2, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
The Year for Priests: From whence a priest?
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
Fifth in a series: Hope fulfilled, prayers answered
On May 7, 1961 my boyhood hope was fulfilled!
Archbishop Paul C. Schulte of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis ordained me a priest in the presence of my mom and dad, family and the families of the other 19 priests ordained that day.
Throughout the day of ordination, as I tried to prepare for it, I was worried that my mom would not be able to be there. In spite of it, joy reigned in my heart! After eleven years of watching others being called to priesthood, it was a climactic moment for me personally.
My thrill exploded to an indescribable level to know that my mom was indeed present at the ordination with my dad at her side. I caught sight of mom and dad as I was in the formal procession to the ordination not knowing until then whether she could be there.
My older brother had come earlier to inform me that mom had suffered a seizure on the way to the ordination. My dad immediately took her home and consulted with the family doctor. The doctor instructed him that he should not attempt to take mom to the ordination.
My dad knew that mom had lived for this moment, so, going against the doctor’s recommendation, he brought her to the ordination even if she should die on the way. (She lived for 28 years thereafter.)
My dad, too, had always asked the question about his own vocation to the priesthood. He had gone to three seminaries emulating his older brothers yet decided that priesthood was not for him. Good for him! That is what seminary is about, discerning one’s vocation to priesthood.
As I embraced dad after the ordination, I suggested to him that I hoped his question was answered. Without his marital love for my mom, this day could never have taken place.
Thanks be to God and to my parents, I am a priest and bishop today!
Next week: The family table