Blessed Mother, queen of my priesthood, whatever you want, but with joy

Father Tomas Dell Oca’s first Mass at San Isidro

La Juventud Masculina preparó todo con mucho orgullo The Boys Youth proudly prepared all Die Mannesjugend bereitete alles voller Stolz vor
El P. Tomy Dell’Oca Father Tomy Dell’Oca Pater Tomy Dell’Oca
P. Javier Arteaga, Director Nacional Fr. Javier Arteaga, National Director P. Javier Arteaga, Leiter der Schönstatt-Bewegung in Argentinien
La familia saluda... The family is greeting… Die Familie freut sich…
Durante al Santa Misa During the Holy Mass Bei der heiligen Messe Fotos: Mariana Onni © 2007 Albúm de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

ARGENTINA, Marian Onni. On Saturday, August 11^th, Bishop Jorge Casaretto, of San Isidro, ordained Tomay Dell Oca as a priest in the Community of Schoenstatt Fathers at the Church of God the Father at New Schoenstatt, Florencio Varela, a district in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in a very touching ceremony. The following day Father Tomy celebrated his first Mass at the Shrine of San Isidro where he will begin his ministry in the Movement working with the Boys’ Youth.

The cloudy, cold midday weather was not an impediment to the large group of people gathered in the park at the San Isidro Shrine where there was an atmosphere of serene joy and profound emotion.

Father Tomy was accompanied by the Community of the Schoenstatt Fathers, his parents Patricia and Horacio, as well as his siblings, relatives, friends, course brothers, novices, delegations from Chile and Paraguay, and from other places in Argentina.

At last the great day arrived!

After the entrance procession of the celebrants, and the diocesan coordinators, Ana and Daniel Matheu welcomed him with the following words.

"Today is a day of grace in the Schoenstatt Shrine of San Isidro and for us, personally, as diocesan coordinators; it is a joy to be present with you at your first Mass. You left San Isidro ten years ago, and your priesthood was seen as something far away, but at last, the great day arrived and yesterday we could thank God, along with you, for your ordination!

We were fortunate to see you grow year by year in your vocation and above all in your paternity towards the youth that surrounded you. As of now we imagine that as a reflection of Father Kentenich, you will be blessed with spiritual children, and like him you will place yourself entirely at their disposal, with all that your are and have, with your wisdom and your ignorance, with your power and your impotency, and above all by giving them your heart.

Tomy, the heart of each one us goes with this chasuble that the family of San Isidro presents to you and know that we are united with you in the love of our good Father and the protection of Mary."

Touching gratitude

During the homily, with heartfelt words, the National Director Father Javier Arteaga mentioned Tomy’s start in the Movement and his work in the Branch of the Boys’ Youth. He reminded us of the profound significance of the priesthood.

Tomy’s parents presented the offerings of the chalice and paten. Starting today, these will be the symbols of his priesthood. Before the blessing, Tomy, overcome with emotion, began to express his gratitude to everyone who has walked alongside him thorughout these years of study and preparation.

At the end of the ceremony, he presented some flowers to his mother, his sister, and red roses to the Blessed Mother, since they are the only kind he usually gives her. He placed them in the Shrine, together with Father Pablo Pol and Juan Viñas, Tomy’s friend and another vocation of this Shrine of San Isidro.

Prior to praying the Consecration to the Blessed Mother, he spoke these words to Her, "Blessed Mother, Queen of my priesthood, whatever you want, but with joy!"

Translation: Celina Garza, Harlingen, TX, USA /amj