Of your charity, please pray for these four young men, above, who are due to be ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ for the Diocese of Lansing at Saint Thomas Aquinas in East Lansing on Saturday, June 6, the Feast of Saint Norbert. Deo volente. They are, left to right:
Deacon Peter Randolph, Christ the King Parish, Ann Arbor
Deacon Jacob Derry, Saint John the Evangelist, Fenton
Deacon Joshua Bauer, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Tecumseh
Deacon Ryan Ferrigan, Saint Martha Parish, Okemos
By the grace of God, the Diocese of Lansing is currently blessed with 29 seminarians. Last year’s ordination class was the largest in nearly half a century. In total, Bishop Boyea has ordained 45 priests during his 18 years at the helm of the diocese. Deo gratias. So, what are the thoughts of this year’s ordinands ahead of their big day? Let's find out.
Deacon Peter Randolph:
My younger brother, Xavier, died this past summer. He was only 18. He was the fifth of seven siblings. And so, in all honesty, as I approach the day of ordination, I find myself dealing with many different emotions.
I obviously have a deep desire to be ordained and find great joy in that thought, but grief is also playing a part in my preparations. I do believe there’s a beauty in that. It’s a recognition and a reminder of my humanity, my own limitations, and of being met, amid everything, by the Lord's grace. He is the one who is going to supply me with what I need.
I am also encouraged by my brother's life and example. Xavier had a real, living relationship with the Lord, and out of that, he served others. And he had a way of noticing others, which made him a great gift-giver. I really admired that about him. That's something I want to bring to my priesthood when encountering parishioners, staff, brother priests — whoever. In a culture that is so fragmented and isolating, I want to let people know that they are seen, known, and loved by the Lord.
So, on the day of ordination, I know I will wish that Xavier was there with us on earth. But I can also foresee that, throughout my priesthood, and in every Mass offered, I will have a real sense of connection to him in the communion of saints. In fact, I’ve already been asking for his intercession in various ways as I approach the priesthood.
Deacon Jacob Derry:
I'm thrilled to be so close to ordination, just to reflect and see all that the Lord has done and how he has led me to this place. He’s been so faithful throughout. He’s always been with me on the journey.
I want to be a priest who is poor, chaste, and obedient. These are the evangelical counsels that religious make as vows. As diocesan priests, we don't necessarily make those same vows, but that's who Jesus was, and that’s what I want to be. I want to be as much like Jesus as I can — and to be his priest for his people.
Having been privileged to study in Rome, I feel a special closeness to Saints Peter and Paul. I’ve been to their basilicas and their tombs many times and have prayed there. So, I’ve really gotten to know them.
I am inspired by Peter’s boldness — walking out on the water when called by Christ, but then looking away and focusing more on the wind and waves. That’s been a theme throughout my life. Whenever I turn my gaze slightly from Christ, he is always there, always grabbing me by the hand to save me and carry me back to the boat.
As for Paul, I love when he expresses his firm conviction to the Church in Rome (Rom 8:38–39) that no trials or tribulations can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As a priest, I too desire to encounter Our Lord over and over again, so that I can say, like Paul, that “I am convinced,” and then, from that conviction, others can come to belief in Jesus Christ.
Deacon Joshua Bauer:
I'm so excited. What you must realize is that this is my eighth consecutive year of seminary. I joined right out of high school, and so I’ve been doing lots of learning and practicing — and now … I just want to go do it!
What's that going to be like on the day of priestly ordination? I have no idea. I mean, it’s got to be something incredible. I see these guys who get ordained and come back to the seminary to offer a Mass of Thanksgiving, and it shocks me how much they've changed. They're obviously the same guy, but there's also something radically different. So, what will happen up there in the sanctuary before the bishop? Something huge.
As for an inspiration for my priesthood — well, for all my 26 years of life, incredibly, I’ve only ever known one parish priest. He’s Father Dan Wheeler, who has served as pastor of Saint Elizabeth in Tecumseh for four decades. His example, the way he lives his priesthood, has had a huge influence on me.
Recently, he called me over to the parish rectory. He gave me a beautiful chalice. It turns out Father Dan purchased it not long before I was born, with the intention of gifting it to the next young man from the parish to become a priest. Represented on the chalice are the four Gospels and the twelve Apostles. What struck me in that moment was that here is the priest who raised me, giving me the chalice I will be ordained with — and upon that chalice is the sacred deposit of the faith. That’s a really strong witness to me.
Deacon Ryan Ferrigan:
It's still sinking in that the day of ordination is coming so soon — that my life is about to be changed forever, that I'll be dedicated to the service of Christ, the Church, and the people of God. I’m full of excitement and anticipation as the day approaches.
We talk in theology classes about being an alter Christus, or “another Christ.” As a priest, I hope to be that to the best of my ability — by the way I conduct myself and the way I live — showing, as Saint Paul says, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Gal 2:20) I hope to convey that in my priestly life.
There are many things that excite me about the prospect of being a priest, but nothing compares to thinking about what it would be like to celebrate holy Mass, to pronounce the words of institution, and to behold Christ in my hands. That's what makes a man a priest more than anything.
At the end of my life, I hope to hear the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant … enter into the joy of your master.” (Mt 25:21) To hear him say, with reference to me: you have given all this to me; here is what I was able to do through you. To see how many souls were reborn through the waters of baptism and ministered to through my hands; how many confessions were heard and absolutions given; how many people, prepared to draw their last breath, were given the anointing of the sick and viaticum; how many received the Body and Blood of Jesus. That’s my prayer as I approach ordination. Saint Paul says, ‘it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.’ (Gal 2:20) I hope to convey that in my priestly life.