Tomorrow +Bishop Clark will be ordaining Deacon Scott Caton to the priesthood. The ceremony starts at 10:30 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. Here’s a video we’ve posted previously – consider it pump-up material for tomorrow:
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Looking very much forward to the ordination of a priest who loves God and loves the Catholic Church and is and intends always to be faithful to the Magisterium of the Church!
I wonder if anyone knows how long it will be??
I kept trying to call the Cathedral this week to find out and they just aren’t open past 4:30 when I could get to it.
Has anyone been to an ordination?
I LOVED the video! An ordination at St.Patrick’s Cathedral, which has never been wreckovated, under Archbishop Dolan, would be beautiful indeed.
What a beautiful tribute to the call of the priesthood.
Eliza10, I have been to just one ordination and as best I remember it was about an hour and 45 minutes, without waiting around afterward for the new priest’s blessing.
The video was inspiring. I hope tomorrow is a blessed event for Deacon Scott Caton, his wife and children, all of his family, relatives, and friends—and all of God’s people.
Thanks Hopeful. It was about an hour and 45 minutes! What a beautiful event. I am not comparing it to another. I was just so glad to be there. Deacon Scott walked amidst the priests up the aisle towards his Sacrament of Ordination, with his “first Sacrament”, his wife, in a deep red dress, by his side. That was lovely. Well, probably marriage was a second Sacrament for them as they were both committed Christians when they married and so both were certainly baptized when they married.
Two of their children, who were lectors (and they read quite beautifully) were at the start of the procession, and Bishop Clark, with his staff, was at the end. Its always wonderful to see the priests together in their vestments. Joel Morehouse was picture-perfect (and pious) as thurifer and serving at altar. The music was exceptional. All the priests laid hands – I suppose they always do this – for the ordination. It was very moving. My favorite was the Litany of Saints. I wondered if Scott chose those Saints? So many. I wished they were listed in the bulletin because certainly they were there among us. Bishop Clark’s action of ordination was completed with dignity. Then Scott’s wife Bonnie brought him his priestly vestments and assisted vesting priests Fr. Antinarelli and Abbot John Eudes (whose 56th ordination anniversary is today).
The brand new Father Caton’s wife Bonnie and four of their daughters brought up the gifts. Mass with many priests. A blessing. The closing hymn, a favorite: “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name”. Mrs. Caton accompanied her Priest-husband down the aisle in the procession.
I do feel very blessed for having been there. Father Scott Caton gives his Thanksgiving Mass at St. Michael’s at 4pm tomorrow, Sunday, June 12th. There will be special, beautiful music. (And I mean on earth as well as in heaven!)
I know his wife has not converted, and if he says his children haven’t, then they haven’t. They did not receive communion of course. Who knows, it may have been a cross to bear for her to stand by her husband’s path to priesthood. However, I heard she is happy to stand by her husband. They all have a deep Christian faith. Conversion is like a miracle for an Evangelical. You think you only need Jesus and the Bible. To need more seems like Jesus is not enough [even though its what Jesus wants for you!]. At least that’s how it was for me. My conversion was not just my own learning but the grace of God. Who knows what God’s plan is for them.
As to their participation, I don’t know. Can a non-Catholic present the gifts? Can a non-Catholic lector? Those are the questions. Perhaps in special circumstances allowed by the Bishop? He was right there, so he probably gave his permission!
Having his wife, to whom he is Sacramentally married, accompany him up the aisle to his Sacrament of Ordination seemed only fitting. She did not move from the pew to sit with him after he was ordained and vested and moved into the sanctuary. (Apparently, no plans to be co-priestess with her husband!). And processing out at her husbands side seemed appropriate also.
So I don’t know. Which part of the family’s participation seems off to you?
I’ve seen non-Catholics proclaim one of the readings at weddings and funerals. I don’t know if it’s allowed though. It seems like it shouldn’t be.
My friends: Thank you for your prayers for my family and me as, by God’s grace (and by His grace alone), I launch out on this new journey. I just wanted to clarify one thing in this string of comments (just so it doesn’t become a big deal or weird bunny trail or a distraction from the joy of my ordination): My daughter Emily (who read the second reading today) is a faithful, beautiful Catholic woman, married to the best [Catholic] son-in-law any, um, priest could ever ask for. 🙂 (He was a server at the Mass.) I had permission for my young son to do the first reading. That’s that. 🙂 God bless you. Sincerely in Christ, Father Caton
Father Caton,
You are a priest forever! May God bless you as he has blessed us with your priesthood. It was a beautiful ordination – especially to see your family at your side. What a joyous occasion.
God Bless You Fr. Caton and your beautiful family! I am so glad your wife accompanied you down the aisle and your family was in the procession. It was only fitting that your family partake in your ordination ceremony in a special way.
I too, come from a family and relation of very devout Christians of varying denominations. People cannot be put into cookie cutter molds to identify what they believe and how they practice; we are more alike than we are different. My father is high-church, mainline Protestant and my mother was Catholic. How painful it was growing up, (and even to this day), to hear talk of Catholics downing Protestants and Protestants downing Catholics. Although I was raised Catholic, my father was part of my faith formation. Both my Catholic relatives and my Protestant relatives of different mainline denominations were part of my faith journey.
You are a priest forever! May God guide and bless all your years of ministry!
Thanks for the clarification, Father.
May the Spirit be with you on your priestly journey!
Congratulations on your ordination, Fr. Caton! While I was not present at the Mass on Saturday, I join in celebrating your entrance into the priesthood. May God grant you a long and healthy priestly life. You, your wife, and your family will be in my prayers.
Echoing both Ben and Dr. K, my thanks for taking the time to clarify what was being streamed here… we Cleansing Fire people seek and love truth!… and may God bless you as he has blessed us with your priesthood. +JMJ