On Saturday, June 7, at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, Bishop Barry C. Knestout ordained three men to the priesthood: Father Andrew Clark, Father Samuel Hill, and Father Matthew Kelly.
Father Clark will be assigned to the Basilica of St. Andrew, Roanoke; Father Hill will be assigned to St. Bridget, Richmond; and Father Kelly will be assigned to Blessed Sacrament, Harrisonburg. In September, Father Hill will return to Rome to complete his Licentiate of Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
At the beginning of Mass, the organ thundered the hymn “Lauda Jerusalem,” and the bishop, the three young men to be ordained, and dozens of priests processed in through the nave. The cathedral was completely full, with some of the faithful in overflow seating, and every pew packed from end to end.
After the Liturgy of the Word, the three candidates were called forward and presented to the bishop. The bishop then gave his homily.
“As I look at the needs of this local Church, I am reminded of Jesus’ words: ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few,’” said Bishop Knestout. “Yet here before us gathered at the Cathedral are three generous young men, who after many years of study and formation, desire to be instruments of Christ’s peace, reconciliation, and hope within the Church.”
The candidates then promised obedience and respect to the bishop and his successors and lay prostrate before the altar while the assembly sang the Litany of the Saints.
Each candidate then knelt before the bishop in turn, and the bishop placed laid his hands on their heads, invoking the Holy Spirit. The other priests on the altar then followed the bishop, placing their hands on the heads of Father Clark, Father Hill, and Father Kelly in turn, signifying their incorporation into the order of priests.
While the choir sang the ancient hymn “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” the bishop anointed the hands of Father Clark, Father Hill and Father Kelly with sacred chrism, and placed a paten containing bread and a chalice containing wine mixed with water in their hands. Welcoming them into the priesthood, the bishop and the priests on the altar then greeted Father Clark, Father Hill and Father Kelly in turn with the fraternal kiss of peace.
Immediately after the Rite of Ordination, Father Clark, Father Hill and Father Kelly were able to concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the first time.
Robert Clark, Father Clark’s father, said it was an “extremely proud and happy moment.”
“To see him … be accepted by the bishop and come up on the altar and join the bishop and all the priests, it was very emotional and happy,” he said. “He and the others put in a lot of hard work to get to this point.”
Mitch Clark, Robert’s cousin, attended the Mass with his wife, Dolly. Mitch and Dolly are Baptists; Dolly had been to Mass once, when she was very young, and Mitch had never been before.
“It was beautiful,” said Dolly. “The cathedral is incredible. We know that Andrew is going to make an impact in his community, and I’m guessing that this church has made an impact for many, many years.”
“The community that filled these walls today … it’s amazing. All these people are not relatives of these three young men,” she continued. “They’re here to support their faith and what these three are going to bring to the faith.”
John Hopkins, the grandfather of Father Hill, is likewise not Catholic. A Methodist, he said he is still learning about the Catholic faith.
“It was a very impressive service,” said Hopkins. “We are all mighty proud of Sam – we love him to death.”
Jackie Kelly, the sister of Father Kelly, said she has a hard time not bragging about her baby brother – especially now that he’s been ordained.
“I talk about him all the time to all of our friends,” she said. “He’s very humble and holy – and he’s always doing something special.”
Parker Harnack, a parishioner of St. Benedict, Richmond, was one of many without a familial connection to Father Clark, Father Hill or Father Kelly who came to be part of the special day as a community in faith.
“It’s so amazing being here at the cathedral, seeing these young men choosing the priesthood, choosing the faith, in such a profound way,” said Harnack. “It was a truly moving experience.”
Read more about Father Andrew Clark.
Watch a video reflection by Father Andrew Clark.
Read more about Father Samuel Hill.
Watch a video reflection by Father Samuel Hill.
Read more about Father Matthew Kelly.
Watch a video reflection by Father Matthew Kelly.