Congratulations to Diocese of Lansing seminarian, Matthew Wilson, who has just taken another step towards the sacred priesthood after receiving candidacy to Holy Orders.
“I’m very excited to let the Holy Spirit conform me more to Jesus, so that I can love his bride as much as he does,” said Matthew following Holy Mass at Saint Mary Cathedral, Lansing, June 5.
Matthew is flanked in the photograph of the occasion, above, by his pastor, Father David Fons of Saint Mary in Williamston, and Bishop Earl Boyea of Lansing. Meanwhile, the photograph below captures Matthew with his family.
The Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders is celebrated when a man has reached a maturity of purpose in his formation and has demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination.
In the presence of the bishop, the man publicly expresses his intention to complete his preparation for holy orders and his resolve to fully invest himself to that end, so as to best serve Jesus Christ and his Holy Church.
Matthew has just completed four years of studies at Saint John Vianney Seminary in Minnesota. He is now off to Rome to continue his studies at the Pontifical North American College.
“I'm getting more and more excited to be close to the Church,” said Matthew, “to be close to the Holy Father, to all the saints, to let the saints teach me how to love, how to serve Jesus, and how to cling to him. I’m excited to learn how to die on the cross with Jesus, to be conformed to him at every stage of his life, especially in his passion, death, and resurrection.”
Saint Charles Borromeo, patron of seminarians, pray for him!
