Ordinations — Father Dillon
SALT LAKE CITY — During a solemn but joyful ceremony June 24 in the Cathedral of the Madeleine, Bishop Oscar A. Solis ordained Deacon Tristan Dillon to the priesthood and Oscar Marquina and André Sicard as transitional deacons (see story, right). Both deacons are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next year.
Bishop Solis presided at the Mass. Among the concelebrants were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general; Msgr. J. Terrence Fitzgerald, vicar general emeritus; Fr. Martin Diaz, rector of the cathedral; Fr. Ken Vialpando, vicar for clergy; Fr. Ralph Recker, OSB, Mt. Angel Seminary, several visiting priests and many priests of the diocese.
Deacon Guillermo Mendez proclaimed the Gospel. Numerous diocesan deacons, including Deacon George Reade, chancellor, and their wives were among those attending. The Utah Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard.
In his introduction of the ordinands, Bishop Solis said, “They will present themselves before this community to offer their lives in the love of God for the service to the Church and its people. We rejoice tonight for these special gifts from God.”
After the Liturgy of the Word, Father Dillon was called forward for the rite of the Election by the Bishop and Consent of the People.
“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon the recommendation of those concerned with his formation, I testify that he has been found worthy,” Fr. Joseph Delka, diocesan director of vocations, reported to the bishop, using the prescribed formula.
“Relying on the help of our Lord God and on our Savior, Jesus Christ, we choose this our brother for the order of the priesthood,” Bishop Solis responded.
In his homily, Bishop Solis expressed his thanks for the three ordinands. He offered special words to Father Dillon.
“Your ordination tonight is the living manifestation of the love of God for us, for our Church and for this diocese,” he said. “In his graciousness, God has blessed you above other men with a distinct vocation. You are called to give your life in a special way for God and for his people as faithful and holy servants.”
In the sacrament of Holy Orders, “God sends the Holy Spirit upon you to make you a new creation, an ‘alter Christus,’” Bishop Solis told the ordinand. “Just as God, the Father, appointed Jesus Christ to be our great high priest, you will share and participate in the priesthood of Christ and become a sacramental sign of his presence and God’s salvation in the world. From here on, Christ works in and through you, and you will speak and act in the name of Christ as the head of the Church. In the holy Mass, you will offer anew the same sacrifice that Christ our high priest offered at the cross, and you will be changing the bread and wine into his own body and blood.”
As he performs his priestly duties, Fr. Dillon will “bring to life Christ’s saving words and deeds to the people of God,” Bishop Solis said.
After the homily, the rituals of the Promise of the Elect for the Diaconate and the Promise of the Elect for the Priesthood were celebrated. Then the ordinands lay prostrate in front of the altar while the Litany of Saints was sung, and the deacons were ordained.
As part of the ordination rites, the priests of the diocese, beginning with the bishop, laid their hands on Fr. Dillon; and the priests subsequently exchanging a fraternal greeting.
After Fr. Dillon was clad in the vestments of a priest, Bishop Solis anointed his hands with sacred chrism.
The newly ordained Fr. Dillon then concelebrated the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Following Communion, Fr. Dillon blessed Bishop Solis.
After the Mass and the procession, Fr. Dillon returned to the front of the cathedral and blessed his mother, sister, loved ones and friends. As his mother knelt in front of him for the blessing, Fr. Dillon exclaimed, “This is real!” and, with a wide smile, gestured to his priestly vestments.
In an interview after the Mass, Fr. Dillon’s joy was evident.
“I feel like I just won the Super Bowl,” he said. “I’m just ecstatic and overjoyed, and I’m just excited for the rest of my life. It starts today.”
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