June 4, 2025

By Father William Muench
NCC columnist

Pentecost is often considered the birthday of the Church. The Holy Spirit comes down on those first apostles and continues to come upon our Catholic Church today. Today, I think of the many who will be ordained priests throughout our world during the time of Pentecost. During the Pentecost, many new priests will be ordained in every diocese of the world; many who have prepared themselves to become priests, missionaries, pastors are now ready to minister to the parishes of Our Catholic Church throughout the world.

I thought I would share with you today my memories of my preparation for the day of my ordination. Ordination was my goal on the very day I entered the seminary. First, there was my seminary college, Wadhams Hall, where I spent four years of study with an emphasis on philosophy. The Church wanted future priests to understand how to think properly. At the same time, there was an introduction in developing a good spiritual life – learning to pray, discovering the joy of a good relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ through participating in daily Mass, studying Scripture, time spent in silent prayer, and time being guided by a spiritual director.

I must tell you, there was one course then that had a profound influence on me when I became a priest – this was a course each year in public speaking. Truly speech class – learning to stand before others to tell a story or give a message – transformed me. It also helped me in putting together the message of Jesus in a teachable form. I know that these courses helped me to become a preacher at Mass. Even today, I can still hear (in my head) my college speech professor, Monsignor Bailey, pointing out a correction or suggesting something as I prepare a homily.

Then followed four years of major seminary where the emphasis was on theology. This was our time to learn more about our Catholic Church, a time to continue developing my spiritual life as I prepared for the day of my ordination, and preparing to celebrate Mass. I now realized that ordination would now be soon; I knew I would need to be close to the Lord; I needed a strong spiritual life. I knew how important it would be for me as a priest. I learned that I must be a good person to be a great priest.

Then came the day of ordination. I remember my family and friends – even high school classmates – gathering at the cathedral for the Mass of ordination. That was rather special. The one thing I do remember even today was the prostration. There was so much to think about; I can still show you the exact place I was at on the Cathedral sanctuary floor.

Then the next day, I celebrated my First Mass as a priest. During my deacon year at the seminary, I had practiced well. But now I was ordained, and I was now to use the words of Our Lord Jesus with the Holy Spirit’s power. I had been chosen and ordained to celebrate the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

And so, my ministry as a priest began. I quickly learned that there was going to be much more to learn about the priesthood and becoming a pastor. I wondered then, would I get everything worked out successfully? Would people learn from me? Would I be able to convince them of the importance of the message of Jesus? I remember recently that someone asked me if I had saved any souls. I wonder.

God has been good. I have found a real happiness in my ministry as priest. The Holy Spirit has been with me every day to guide and lead me.