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 published: 2007-04-05

"May his example guide all of us to a wholesome way of life"

Priestly ordination of Father Matheus da Silva Bernardes

 

Ordenación sacerdotal del P. Mateus, en Poços de Caldas, Brasil

Ordination of Fr. Mateus, in Poços de Caldas, Brazil

Priesterweihe von P. Mateus in Poços de Caldas, Brasilien

 

Santa Misa

Holy Mass

Heilige Messe

 

El neosacerdote

The newly ordained priest

Der Neupriester

 

Rito

Rite

Weiheritus

 

Entrada: Primera Misa en el Santuario

Entrance procession for the first Mass in the Shrine

Einzug bei der Primiz

 

Con las Hermanas de Maria

With the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary

Mit den Marienschwestern

Fotos: www.maeperegrina.com.br © 2007

Album de fotos – photo album - Fotoalbum

 
   

BRAZIL, Sister M. Nilza. "Omnipotent Father, give this son of yours the dignity of the priesthood. Renew in him the infusion of your Spirit of holiness; Lord may he loyally serve, the second degree of priestly ministry which he received from you and by his example may he guide everyone to wholesome way of life". Matheus da Silva Bernardes was ordained as the newest Schoenstatt Father with these words of Bishop Emeritus of Guazupé (Minas Gerais), Monsignor José Geraldo Oliveira do Vale, proclaimed on March 24, 2007 in the Basilica of Our Lady of Health, in Pocos de Caldas (Minas Gerais).

It was difficult to repress the emotions, the recently ordained, his relatives and friends mingled smiles and tears, because at this moment Father Matheus participated in a profound way in the priesthood of Christ. In addition to being a son and a missionary, Father Matheus is a priest in Him, so that all the people may have life.

The altar was completely filled with priests and it is estimated that more than one thousand five people, from different cities of Minas Gerais, Sao Paulo and Paraná were present to share this moment of grace for the Church, and especially for the Schoenstatt Family of Brazil.

The bishop, who conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on Matheus when he was an adolescent, presided the celebration with depth and a very familial spirit. During the homily he asked the Matheus to sit in front of him and he began: "My beloved son, this is a very important moment in your life that is why I want to give you some advice…"And he spoke about the experience of the evangelical counsels. Then he called his brothers of the community of the Schoenstatt Institute of Fathers so that each one could give him a message that they deemed was important for this moment. His co-brothers spoke to him about loyalty to the call to the Schoenstatt Work, to the Covenant of Love and to the Father and Founder.

Immediately after the Rite of Ordination, Matheus became Father Matheus for all eternity.

Consecration to the MTA

After the celebration, Father Matheus invited everyone to join in his gratitude by renewing the Covenant of Love, and everyone sang the consecration prayer before the picture of the Mother and Queen of Schoenstatt.

Later, the joy for the ordination was manifested at a cocktail in which everyone could congratulate the new priest. But, they left after a short while, since they wanted to be punctual at his first Holy Mass, on the following day, in the Shrine.

Source of new life

At 10:00 a.m. on March 25th, with summer sunshine, all the Schoenstatt Family gathered close to the Shrine to participate in the first Holy Mass of the new priest. Exultant with joy, because one of their own had been chosen for the Schoenstatt priesthood, the Schoenstatters from Pocos de Caldas welcomed all the visitors.

The Boys’ Youth paid tribute to the new priest with a cheerful presentation, in which they recalled some of the events of the time when the young Matheus was the leader of the branch. At the end they presented him with the pioneer handkerchief.

Father Matheus presided the celebration with much joy and serenity along with all the priests who were present. The homily was given by Father Pedro Cabello, National Director of the Schoenstatt Movement in Brazil, and for many years he was Matheus’ advisor in the Schoenstatt Boys’ Group.

During the offertory Father Matheus received the symbols of the local movement and he elevated the offerings to God. The bread was transformed into the Body of Christ and the wine into His blood for the first time at the hands of the new priest.

After the Eucharist and the tributes to Father Matheus, those in attendance formed a line to receive the blessing from the new priest. One by one they knelt and received the blessing inside of the Shrine.

Father Matheus will continue with the same work he was carrying out: advisor of the Boys’ Youth of the Region of Sao Paulo, coordinator of the team that gathers the Schoenstatters for the visit of Pope Benedict XVI, and as a student for a Master of Dogmatics..

Source: www.maeperegrina.com.br

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA

 

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