See below for the information on the Mass at Holy Spirit on June 5th.
Fr. Maximilian, Abbot-Primate Berhnard, Bishop Markus and Fr. Maximilian
On Saturday, May 14, 2011, His Excellency, Bishop Bernt Eidsvig, bishop of Oslo, Norway, ordained Father Maximillian Heffron and Father Alipius Müller to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The happy ordinandi, Deacons Alipius and Maximilian, waiting peacefully in the sacristy...
...even as it is in full commotion
Bishop Markus prepares for the ordination. Bishop Eidsvig had received Fr. Maximilian and Fr. Alipius as novices of Stift Klosterneuburg in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
The liturgy commenced at 10:30 in the morning with a grand procession.
The Chapter enters the basilica beginning with the most junior capitulars, Dom Gabriel and Dom Sebastian. Four capitulars from Norway, one from Rome and the rest from the Abbey and parishes in Austria came together to pray for the new priests.
Family and friends from the United State of America and from Germany arrived during the proceeding days in order to participate in this notable occasion; it was the first time in over a decade that the Stift has ordained two priests at the same time.
Dom Benedict bears the Book of the Gospels
The full church greeted the Provost, the Dechant, the Capitulars and the juniors of Stift Klosterneuburg as well as other clergy in attendance.
Waiting for the call to orders
As the Mass begins, the ordinandi are seated near the people’s altar (Volksaltar). After the introductory rites, the deacon calls on the men who are seeking ordination to present themselves to the bishop and to the church for their approval. Thereafter follows the normal course of the Liturgy of the Word culminating in the Gospel and the homily.
Bishop Markus delivers the homily
Before the bishop ordains the candidates, they profess a series of promises about the nature and scope of priestly ministry that they will undertake.
Promises
In preparation for their ordination, the assembly prays the litany of the saints asking them to intercede in particular for the ordinandi.
Litany of the Saints
Lying prostrate on the floor of the sanctuary symbolizes how the prayer of the Church — in heaven and on earth — becomes the foundation of these men’s lives, which will be transformed through the sacrament. With0ut the support of the Church, every priest would fail in his vocation. Only through the mercy of God and the active intercession of the Church on the behalf of her ministers can priests be faithful to their promises and true to their awe-inspiring mission to save souls and make Christ present to His People in the sacraments.
Bishop Markus lays hands on Dom Alipius.
The Dean and the Provost lay hands on the ordinandi
Following the Bishop, all the priests in attendance lay their hands on the newly ordained, symbolizing their entrance into the priesthood of Jesus Christ, the common bond among all Catholic priests. This ancient gesture, to which Scripture attests, makes visible the invisible reality of the incorporation of these men into the one priesthood of Jesus, the great High Priest.
Father Bertrand, the most senior member of the Chapter, who also recently celebrated his Sixtieth Jubilee of priestly ordination, lays hands Father Alipius.
Father Hugo and Father Lukas lay hands on the new priests.
Father Elias and Father Clemens welcome the ordinandi into the priesthood.
Father Bruno and Father Josef lay hands on the newly ordained.
Father Albert, the vicar-general and rector of the cathedral in Trondheim, Norway, and Father Daniel, the prior of the Canonry of St. Leopold and pastor of St. Patrick's in Glen Cove, New York, lay hands on the new priests.
Bishop Markus offers the prayer of consecration over the ordinandi
Deacon Benedict assists Father Maximilian
After being ordained a priest through the sacrament of holy orders, the new priests are vested for the first time in the stole and chasuble.
Bishop Markus anoints the hands of Father Alipius
Bishop Markus hands Father Maximilian the instruments of his priestly office, the chalice and paten which, thanks to the priesthood, will hold the Sacred Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
The exchanging of peace between bishop and the newly ordained
Father Josef and Father Elias give the newly ordained the sign of peace.
Father Maximilian and Father Alipius concelebrate their first Mass with Bishop Markus
Father Maximilian gives his brother Holy Communion
Bishop Markus with the newly ordained priests
The Provost announced at the conclusion of the Liturgy that Father Maximilian would serve as the parochial vicar in Donaufeld. In so doing he continues a tradition of American canons serving in the parish of St. Leopold, namely, Father Elias, Father Daniel and Father Josef. With his new assignment, Father Maximilian brings to a close his term of service as a deacon in the Abbey parish. The Provost assigned Father Alipius to serve as the parochial vicar in the the neighboring parish, St. Jakob in Floridsdorf. Father Alipius had served in St. Martin-Klosterneuburg for his diaconate.
The Provost with the newly ordained priests.
Father Maximilian surrounded by his family
Father Alipius and family
The next update will feature further pictures from the celebrations.
Mass at Holy Spirit
Father Elias will offer Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Annandale, Virginia on June 5, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. with a reception to follow at which Father Daniel, the new prior of the canonry of St. Leopold, will address the aim and nature of the new foundation as well as the future of the Society of St. Leopold. All are most welcome!
