Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara confers the blessing of ordination to Emilio Rodriguez, O.Carm.

Although not of the same caliber, this city took on a new significance for the members of our Province of the Most Pure Heart of Mary this summer. On August 27th, we took another step forward in our efforts to establish the order (The Carmelites of the Ancient Observance) in Mexico. On that day, Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, Archbishop of Guadalajara, ordained Emilio Rodriguez to the ministry of priesthood.

Padre Emilio is the third Mexican Carmelite to be ordained for the new foundation (following the ordinations of Padre José Luís Torres in Colima City, Colima on February 14, 2003 and Padre Mario Loya in Mexico City, Mexico on May 15, 2004). Padre Emilio was ordained in his home parish of Preciosa Sangre de Cristo (Precious Blood of Christ). The parish community organized a marvelous celebration. Upon arriving in the neighborhood, it was obvious something special was happening here today. The fences along the street were decorated with blue and white ribbons and bunting. On the entry plaza outside the church, extra chairs had been set up under a canopy in anticipation of an overflow crowd. Hospitality ministers dressed in red vests (symbolic of the parish’s name “Precious Blood”) greeted everyone as they entered the plaza handing them a worship aide which included several pictures of the ordinand’s spiritual journey from his First Communion to his ordination as a deacon. It was a festive gathering as people, whose paths had crossed in various places, greeted one another upon arrival. Amidst the attendees were members of the hosting parish, Emilio’s family members and friends from various parts of Mexico, parishioners from the communities our Carmelites serve in Torreón, Mexico, and a number of Carmelites serving in Mexico, the United States and Canada.

Reverend Emilio Rodriguez, O.Carm., second from left, celebrates a Mass of Thanksgiving at his home town Precious Blood of Christ Church on Sunday, August 28, 2005. With him are from left, Reverend Ronald Oakham, O.Carm., Carlos Verdi, Reverend Thomas Jordan, O.Carm, and Reverend Charles Countie, O.Carm.

The Mass began at 12:00 PM as planned. As Emilio entered the church, accompanied by his parents at the head of the procession, the assembly broke out in applause. It was an event that many members of his family and friends had for many years hoped to see. For as his brother Saul said: We always knew he would be a priest one day. Emilio has always had a deep love for his faith and the church, and a heart prepared to serve.” Following the readings of scripture, Deacon Jorge Torres (representing the community of Saint Gertrude’s Parish in Stockton, California where Emilio began his journey with our community) called Emilio forward before the Archbishop. Father Jack Welch, O.Carm., (Prior Provincial) in the name of our community and the Church, asked the Archbishop to ordain Emilio to the priesthood and testified to his worthiness for this ministry. After the Archbishop accepted the testimony, he called Emilio to the Order of Presbyter; and the assembly once again resounded with applause showing their approval.

Cardinal Sandoval then addressed both the assembly and Emilio in his homily. Although there is a ritual text for this homily, the Archbishop spoke in his own words. He pointed out three main tasks for any priest: first, to be a person of prayer; second, to be a living example of faith; and third, to be a celebrant of the sacraments for the People of God. It was obvious he knew he was ordaining a man of a religious community with its own spirituality and history as he included comments about our Carmelite Order and some of our saints and how this heritage was supportive of Emilio’s new responsibilities as an ordained minister of the Church.

Family members of Reverend Emilio Rodriguez, O.Carm., who came for the ordination come together to memorialize the day through this picture.

Following the Archbishop’s homily, we continued with the many steps of the ordination rite: a declaration of Emilio’s intentions to serve as a priest of the Church; a Promise of Obedience to the local Ordinaries (the bishops) in whose dioceses he would serve in the years ahead; the praying of the Litany of Saints; the Laying on of Hands; a Prayer of Consecration, the Vesting with stole and chasuble; the Anointing of Hands with Chrism; the Presentation of the Paten and Chalice prepared with bread and wine for the Mass; and a Kiss of Peace (a gesture of welcome into the Order of Presbyters). Then, Emilio took his place among the priests present, and along with them joined the archbishop at the altar as he led the gathered assembly in praying the Eucharistic Prayer.

After the Ordination Mass, all were invited to a reception on the parish grounds where a large canopy had been set up. A Mariachi band (whose members were all women) entertained us as we shared time, stories and a meal together.

A Mariachi Band, (composed entirely of women) played trumpets, violins and guitars while serenading the guests at the reception after the ordination with wonderful harmonies.

The next day, many of the people who had attended the ordination gathered together again along with other members of the parish to celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving with Padre Emilio at a regularly scheduled Sunday Mass. Father Tom Jordan in his homily spoke of Padre Emilio’s joy in having realized his great dream, to be a priest in Carmel. But, as the Gospel of Saint Matthew proclaimed that day, to be one with Jesus is to suffer, die and be resurrected. This is the life of every Christian, in whatever vocation God has given them—husband, wife, religious, or priest.

Father Tom challenged Padre Emilio to always be a priest and prophet for us using his gifts and talents to proclaim the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection to give us hope as we live lives faithful to the Lord and his Paschal Mystery. Before the recessional, Padre Emilio offered his thanks to all those who had prepared the celebrations, to those who had come from near and far, and to his family who has supported him in his spiritual journey. A reception for family, close friends and the Carmelites was held at a nearby hall completing the festivities of the weekend.