To learn more about the five newly-ordained priests, read these Catholic Herald profiles:

James Jaeger	Nathan Reesman
Robert Kacalo	Rick Wendell
Jason Lavann

The Sacrament of Holy Orders
Ordination sacramentally enables a man to serve as a priest in Christ's name and in the name of the Catholic Church. Tradition and symbolism surround the Ordination Rite.

Just after the Gospel, Very Reverend Michael Witczak, Saint Francis Seminary rector will present James, Robert, Jason, Nathan and Rick to the archbishop as candidates for ordination, affirming their spiritual, human, educational, and pastoral readiness to serve as priests.

In Roman Catholic Theology, the call to priesthood is a vocation from God discerned by an individual and by the Church community. The people gathered for the Ordination will assent as part of the rite.

Following the homily, which will address duties of the ordained priest, the archbishop will ask each priesthood candidate a series of questions. In their answers, the candidates will publicly declare their intention to exercise the ministry of priesthood. They will also promise obedience to the archbishop and his successors.

During the Litany of Saints, the candidates will lie prostrate, symbolizing their dependence upon God and upon the prayers of the Christian community. The Church and the Saints will be called upon to intercede for the ordinands.

The archbishop will lay his hands on each candidate's head in an ancient Biblical gesture, asking God to empower James, Robert, Jason, Nathan and Rick by the Holy Spirit, setting them apart for the sacred ministry of priesthood. Then, one by one, the priests present for the Ordination Rite will lay hands on the newly ordained priests as a sign of acceptance and welcome into the presbyterate.

In the Prayer of Consecration, the archbishop will ask God to grant James, Robert, Jason, Nathan and Rick the dignity and grace of priesthood. Laying on of hands and the Prayer of Consecration constitute the heart of the Ordination Rite.

A priest chosen by the ordinand clothes the newly ordained priest with a stole and chasuble. The stole symbolizes both the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Jesus Christ. The chasuble is the garment of the priest celebrating the Eucharist.

Anointing of the hands of the new priest with Chrism oil, a tradition found in the Old Testament, symbolizes being set apart for a sacred task. This ritual acknowledges that the priest will participate in the ministry of Christ by offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick, blessing, and fulfilling other sacred duties.

The archbishop will hand over the gifts of bread, wine, and water brought forward by the people and tell the newly ordained priests to "know what you are doing, and imitate the mystery you celebrate: model your lives on the mystery of the Lord's cross." This part of the Ordination Rite highlights the central importance of presiding at Holy Eucharist.

To signify a bond of unity, the archbishop will give each newly ordained priest a kiss of peace. The celebration will then proceed as other Eucharistic Liturgies.

For more information on the priesthood - please go to www.thinkpriest.org.