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Twins ordained priests
It was Saturday, May 26, 2018. As the sun slowly rose in Manhattan, sending rays into the dark corridors between skyscrapers, in front of the mighty doors of St. Patrick's Day on Fifth Avenue, the scene was like this: a lot of smiling people in festive clothes were running down the sidewalk towards the "parish church of America", exchanging hugs and warm words of welcome.
On that day, in the presence of their parents and grandparents, brothers, sisters, friends and families, nine men devoted their lives to the service of the Gospel, receiving priestly ordination to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic Church.
"I want to have only one photo in which I help my brother dress," said Fr. Innocent Montgomery CFR (Franciscans of the Renewal) just before the solemn procession begins. Fr. Innocent spoke about his twin brother - Fr. Angelus Immaculata Montgomery CFR was one of nine men ordained that day. Born on the same day, the brothers were also to become priests on one day.
Ordination in New York
The nine men waited in nervous tension. At that time, countless pews in the cathedral were tightly filled by the faithful, and the steel pipes of the enormous organ had already made their first sounds. The rustling robes of the hundreds of concelebrants looked like a whole sea of white linen.
Cardinal Timothy Dolan, with his characteristic verve, took the bishop's seat, and began to read aloud the names of Br. Gabriel Emmanuel Monahan CFR. At the sound of their name, the neo-priests appeared one by one. Each of them was called individually by Christ to serve his people as a priest, and each repeated "yes" with Mary, agreeing to do God's will.
When the ordination rite was completed, the faithful gathered in the church applauded enthusiastically. Some of them had tears in their eyes, and their hearts were filled with great gratitude. From that moment on, the nine men were no longer merely sons and brothers, but priests, mediators of Christ's mercy, capable of ensuring the presence of Christ in the sacraments.
The first priestly ministry
When Cardinal Dolan picked up the Host at the time of the consecration, the nine Neopresbyhers with the other priests uttered the words of Jesus: "This is my Body ..." - inpersona Christi. This was their first sacramental priesthood act.
At the end of Mass, each newly ordained priest went to a separate seat in the cathedral to impart a first priestly blessing to those who requested it. Thus began their ministry.
Why are they extraordinary ordinations? Perhaps because they took place in New York? Or maybe because they were held in the Cathedral of St. Patrick's Day, or because the ordained had two twin brothers who stood side by side at one altar?
But perhaps the reason for the unusualness of this moment lies elsewhere. Perhaps it is remarkable that in this broken and wounded world, in the heart of a great city, God still calls, and that there are those who respond to that call. Despite the fact that the world exposes us to great temptations, there are those who, working together with grace, can humble themselves and serve like Christ two millennia earlier.