Eight New Priests Ordained for the Archdiocese of Chicago

Congratulations to Father Misabet Gil, Father Agustin Garza, Father Robinson Ortiz, Father Charles Plovanich, Father Lukasz Pyka, Father Jesus Romero, Father Christian Shiu, and Father Emanuel Torres, who were ordained as priests by Cardinal Blase Cupich at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago.

Father John Kartje, on behalf of Mundelein Seminary and the whole Church, testified to the worthiness of the men, and asked Cardinal Cupich to ordain them to the responsibility of the priesthood.

Surrounded by family, friends, classmates, priests, and bishops, these eight men promised:

• to discharge the office of Priesthood
• to preach the Gospel and teach the Catholic faith worthily and wisely
• to celebrate faithfully and reverently the mysteries of Christ, especially the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the glory of God and the sanctification of the Christian people
• to implore God’s mercy upon the people by observing the command to pray without ceasing
• to be united more closely to Christ the High Priest and to consecrate themselves to God for the salvation of all
• their respect and obedience to Cardinal Cupich and his successors

In solemn silence, the Spirit was imparted by Cardinal Cupich through the laying on of hands, which confers the priestly office and its indelible character. In an inspiring procession, each priest in attendance also laid hands on those being ordained while asking Almighty God to grant the candidates the dignity of the priesthood by a Spirit of holiness, enabling them to be worthy helpers of the Cardinal in his Apostolic Ministry.

Each of the candidates were vested with the liturgical garb of priests, and assisted by a priest that has impacted their path to ordination. They were then anointed with sacred chrism, recalling the imagery of Jesus being anointed with the Spirit. Cardinal Cupich presented each of the newly ordained with the paten and chalice, and gave each a sign of peace.

Our new priests then joined the Cardinal for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and ended the Mass by giving the Cardinal their first blessing. Following Mass, dozens of people lined up to receive blessings from each new priest.

We pray in thanksgiving for these men, that they have responded to their vocational call. May our all-powerful Father pour out the gifts of heaven on these men whom he has called to serve.