The Salesian priesthood expanded by five on Saturday with Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB ordaining five men at St Francis’ Church, Melbourne. Source: Salesian Province.
The new Salesian priests are Fr Kevin Fiame, Fr Joseph Huong Vu, Fr Eteuati Milo, Fr Jeff Miller and Fr Duc Tran.
Concelebrating with Archbishop Costelloe was Melbourne Auxiliary Bishop Anthony Ireland and 55 priests from the Salesian Province, diocesan clergy and other religious orders.
For the ordination, St Francis’ Church was packed with people from the Australian, Vietnamese and Samoan communities: family members, relatives and friends who joined in the responses and hymns of the sacred ceremony, with beloved hymns from their own cultures.
In his homily, Archbishop Costelloe said: “We are gathered here in St Francis’ Church, as the very beginning of the centenary of the arrival of the Salesians in Australia, to celebrate an event which will create ripples across the Salesian Province and region.
“We pray in gratitude that each of these young men has found the courage to listen deeply to the voice of the Lord working in their lives and to respond generously to that voice.”
Considering the widespread cultures from which the ordinands came, Archbishop Costello said, “I am sure that each of them has travelled his own unique journey of life, and of faith. Because of this they are for us today an invitation to reflect on the mysterious ways of God. In reading their stories I was struck by the different backgrounds and experiences which has led these men here this afternoon.”
Archbishop Costelloe invited the new priests to open themselves to the “transforming power of God’s holy spirit and to the gift of priestly ordination which God” has offered them. He assured them of prayerful support as they take up their priestly ministry.
FULL STORY
Five Salesian deacons receive priestly ordination (Salesians)
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