Whitefriars Hall in Washington, DC, has been a busy place of late. The seasonal flurry of preparations for Solemn Vows, Ordination and First Mass activities have almost (that’s almost) pushed exams and papers off the front burner.

On Saturday March 29, Brother Tony Mazurkiewicz, O.Carm., professed his solemn vows at Catholic University of America, Washington, DC, amid a thunderous celebration by family, friends, and a robust turnout of Carmelites from most parts of the country. This festivity was truly a great affirmation of Tony, as well as a celebration of Carmelite solidarity. It was a treat for all who attended. Next stop for Brother Tony will be his ordination to the diaconate on May 9th, where he will share the spotlight with Reverend Br. Herman Kinzler, O.Carm. Herman will be ordained to the priesthood by Carmelite Bishop Michael LaFay in the Crypt Chapel of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Since Herman has been ministering as a deacon at Saint Joseph’s Parish in Beltsville, Maryland, his First Mass will also be celebrated there on May 10th. Father Herman will then be assigned to Saint Cecilia’s Church in Englewood, New Jersey, as associate pastor, and Tony will remain at Whitefriars Hall to complete his studies.

Another multiple ordination will take place for several of our fine Vietnamese students on May 5th in Middletown, New York, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Bishop Dominick Lagonegro will ordain Joseph Diep Dinh, Joseph Trung Tran, and Joseph Viet Dinh to the Priesthood. At the same time, he will ordain Peter Hoang Nguyen to the Diaconate. The three newly ordained priests will each celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on May 11th at Our Lady of Vietnam Church in Silver Spring, Maryland. Although the three Josephs are destined to return home for their ministry assignments, they will remain in the United States a while longer for some additional study. Peter will also remain at Whitefriars for the completion of his own studies.

On May 17th, Carmelite Bishop Michael LaFay will ordain Enrique Varela-Nungaray to the Priesthood at Saint Raphael’s Parish in Los Angeles. Enrique has been working as a deacon at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Joliet, Illinois, throughout this past year, as well as contributing valuable assistance to our Hispanic vocation efforts. Following his ordination, Father Enrique will join the new contemplative urban community in Chicago, while maintaining his link with the people of Mount Carmel in Joliet.

Hasely King will be returning to Trinidad for his own priestly ordination on July 19th. The ordaining bishop will be Edward Gilbert, a Redemptorist who was a former board member of Washington Theological Union. The actual ordination will take place at the Carmelite parish of Saint Michael in Marcas Valley, and Hasely’s First Mass will be at his home parish of Saint Teresa, Rio Claro, on July 20th, celebrating the Prophet Elijah. Following the much-anticipated celebrations, Father Hasely will remain in Trinidad to contribute his own considerable talents to the growing Carmelite presence in the Caribbean.

Precise details are not yet finalized for the ordination of Christopher Iannizzotto in August. The ceremony will certainly be in New York. If all goes well, Father Chris will also celebrate his Mass of Thanksgiving at Saint Simon Stock Parish in the Bronx, where he has ministered, and will then be assigned, much to his delight!

We pray frequently for vocations to the Carmelite life and for those in formation. The landmark professions and ordinations of so many fine young Carmelites should serve as living proof that God truly hears and answers such persistent prayers. True to what scripture tells us, there is no lack of generosity in God’s accounting. Hallelujah!