Fr. Ken Molinaro, C.S.C., the Assistant Provincial and Vicar of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, continues our Ordination Week coverage on the Spes Unica Blog, offering his reflections on the upcoming ordination of Deacon Matt Kuczora, C.S.C.
The Congregation of Holy Cross recently celebrated the canonization of our first official saint recognized by the Church: Saint André Bessette of Montreal! His canonization was a cause of great joy in the Congregation for it stood in public testimony that our life in Holy Cross opens us to a path of holiness recognized by the Church.
This week is another occasion of great joy and celebration for the Congregation as we gather to witness the Ordination to the priesthood of our brother, Matthew Kuczora, C.S.C. This is a wonderful moment for our Holy Cross Community as our religious travel from near and far to be present for this significant event for the Province, the Congregation, and the Church.
In Matthew’s Ordination, we are reminded once again of God’s Providential Love watching over and blessing us. For his presence among us stands in testimony that our life and witness in Holy Cross has caught his attention, captured his imagination and beckoned him to follow in service to God’s people.
In Matthew’s commitment to serve the Church as a priest of God, he does so within the context of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Our religious life in Holy Cross gives special character to our priesthood, uniting us in a brotherhood that nurtures and nourishes our faith, leading us into ever greater service to those to whom we are sent.
Matthew’s Ordination – like each and every Profession of Final Vows and Ordination – reminds us over and again that the good work begun by Blessed Basil Moreau continues through each one of us.
At the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict asked the priests assembled, “Are you resolved to be more united with the Lord Jesus and more closely conformed to him?” That inner resolve lies at the heart of who we are as religious and priests of Holy Cross.
As we stand with Matthew at his ordination, his “yes” reminds us once again of that inner zeal that animates our life and ministry in Holy Cross. My prayer for Matthew is that he might see in us, his brothers in Holy Cross, a call to faithfulness to who we are and a resolve to be ever more united with one another in the Lord Jesus, the One who kindles the zeal within.
After the rite of Ordination, Matthew will take his seat among his brother concelebrants as Bishop Rhoades continues the Eucharistic Liturgy. In this gesture, he falls in step with the great band of men who live by their vows, walking side-by-side in their following the Lord, sharing in the life and work entrusted to us: To be men with hope to bring…making God known, loved and served!
May God, who began this good work in him, bring it to perfection!
Learn more about priestly ministry in the Congregation of Holy Cross.
