WILMINGTON — Tradition met the modern world on May 18 inside the Cathedral of St. Peter, when James Gebhart was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Wilmington. A Mass that lasted nearly two hours included language and rituals that date back two millennia, and it was available to view anywhere in the world on YouTube. There were also the cell phones that captured many of the moments in video and still shots.
Every pew inside the cathedral was filled for the event. Now-Father Gebhart followed the diocese’s seminarians, permanent deacons and many of its priests into the church, with fourth-degree Knights of Columbus providing an honor guard. He sat with his family — father Stephen, mother Mary and brother Andrew — in the front of the church for the culmination of eight years of preparation.
After the gospel, the Rite of Ordination began. When his name was called, Father Gebhart responded, “Present.” The church erupted into applause.
Bishop Koenig then addressed the soon-to-be priest. The bishop noted Father Gebhart’s response and reflected on what being present meant at that moment and for his future as a priest.
“Notice that you are not being asked if you are ready,” Bishop Koenig said. “You are not being asked how you want your life as a priest to unfold.”
All that was being asked at that moment was for Father Gebhart to present himself to God for the sacrament of Holy Orders. Bishop Koenig recalled conversations between the two at which Father Gebhart said he was aware of how the Lord will use him.
The new priest’s hands were anointed because, as the bishop said, it will be his hands that are used to offer the Eucharistic sacrifice.
“Yes, James, I am pleased to say that you are very aware that you are presenting yourself today so that God can use you as a conduit of his love,” Bishop Koenig said.
The bishop reminded Father Gebhart that prayer is “the means by which the branches stay connected to the vine.” Prayer is spending time with Christ and opening our hearts and ears to him.
Prayer has an even deeper meaning for priests, Bishop Koenig continued, because they strive to be configured to Christ.
“It is, in the words of Pope Benedict, the core of the priesthood, for only in this way can we truly speak in persona Christi,” he said.
Father Gebhart can expect challenges as a priest, but Bishop Koenig said his hope is that the new priest will find his life to be as fulfilling as the bishop’s has been. A reliance on prayer will help him handle those challenges.
“It will, in a word, enable you to keep your eyes on God’s call to serve him as a priest,” Bishop Koenig said.
He urged Father Gebhart to remember how Jesus presented himself to the people. Jesus had the heart of a shepherd. He went out in search of the lost, and his heart was moved with pity, joy, sadness and wanting.
“May the people, James, you are called to serve know through your presence to them a shepherd’s heart,” he said.
After Gebhart resolved to fulfill the obligations of the priesthood, he knelt in front of the bishop and placed his hands in the bishop’s, promising respect and obedience. He then prostrated himself in front of the altar for the litany of supplication. The priests then took turns placing their hands on Father Gebhart’s head and saying a blessing.
Bishop Koenig read the prayer of ordination, and Father Charles Dillingham, the retired pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Hockessin — Father Gebhart’s home parish — vested the new priest. His hands were then anointed by the bishop.
With a heavy scent of incense filling the cathedral, Father Gebhart’s parents brought up the gifts for Communion. The chalice was given to the new priest, and he exchanged embraces with his brother priests. He gave Communion to his parents, brother and other family members and friends.
Father Norman Carroll, the diocesan director of vocations, approached a microphone after Communion and announced, “We have a new priest.” The church soon filled with a standing ovation.
Father Carroll told the crowd that Father Gebhart had mentioned how excited he was to join the diocesan brotherhood of priests.
“This local son now joins us,” Father Carroll said. “And on this Pentecost weekend, it is certainly important to acknowledge that we have different gifts, but we share in the same spirit.”
Father Carroll thanked all of those who helped form Father Gebhart, both for the priesthood and for life. Bishop Koenig also thanked a number of people before asking the congregation if they wanted to know Father Gebhart’s first assignment.
He will be an associate pastor at Immaculate Conception Parish in Elkton, Md., and also St. Thomas More Oratory in Newark, which serves the University of Delaware.
Photos by Mike Lang.
