A smiling Father Jimmy Hsu at the end of his ordination Mass. (Photo by Bruce Byers)
ENLARGE PHOTO | ENTER SLIDESHOW

Paulist President Father Eric Andrews lays hands on Deacon Hsu – as do all of the priests gathered – as a sign of Deacon Hsu’s incorporation into the presbyterate. ENLARGE PHOTO | ENTER SLIDESHOW

Becoming a priest. It was a moment Deacon Jimmy Hsu first considered after attending a retreat in the eighth grade. That inkling became a reality for Deacon Hsu as he was ordained the newest Paulist priest May 24 at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City

“You will be consecrated to Christ in a very special way,” said Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin, Texas – Deacon Hsu’s home diocese – who presided over the ordination.

“Impart to everyone the word of God you have received with such joy,” the bishop said, “so that by your example you will build up the house that is God’s Church.”

A light rain fell from a cloudy sky, but the spirits of the hundreds gathered for the ordination Mass were not to be dampened by the weather. The air was filled with incense and the music of the St. Paul’s Choir and pipe organ as the Paulists, with Deacon Hsu in their wake, processed to the altar.

After the Gospel reading, Paulist President Father Eric Andrews presented the ordinand to Bishop Vasquez as a candidate for the priesthood. On behalf of the entire Church, Bishop Vasquez then chose Deacon Hsu for the Order of Priesthood. The congregation expressed their consent with applause that thundered through the expansive church as Deacon Hsu stood before them, a bright smile illuminating his face.

The Rite of Ordination continued with the Deacon Hsu promising to preach the Gospel and explain the faith worthily and wisely, to celebrate the liturgy of the church faithfully, pray continually for the people and live a life of holiness.

Deacon Hsu placed his joined hands between those of the bishop as he promised respect and obedience to the bishops in the dioceses where he will serve and to his religious superiors.

Bishop Vasquez then invited all to pray for the bestowal of heavenly gifts upon Deacon Hsu, now lying prostrate in front of the altar as the Litany of Saints commenced.

Bishop Joe S. Vasquez of the Diocese of Austin (right center) examines Deacon Jimmy Hsu, CSP (left), as candidate for the priesthood. To the bishop’s left is Deacon Waldemar Sandoval of the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, and to the bishop’s right is Paulist Student Michael Hennessy.
ENLARGE PHOTO | ENTER SLIDESHOW

The bishop then laid his hands on the head of the ordinand as a sign of the gift of the Holy Spirit for the priestly office. The laying on of hands by Bishop Vasquez was followed by all of the Paulists gathered, signifying the Deacon Hsu’s incorporation into the priesthood.

Then, with hands extended, Bishop Vasquez offered the prayer of ordination: “Grant, we pray, Almighty Father, to this, your servant, the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within him the Spirit of holiness; may he henceforth possess this office which comes from you, O God, and is next in rank to the office of bishop; and by the example of his manner of life, may he instill right conduct.”

The newly ordained Paulist priest was then invested with the priestly stole and chasuble by Paulist Vice President Father John Behnke and Father Dat Tran, CSP, associate pastor at the St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles.

Bishop Vasquez then anointed the new priest’s hands with Holy Chrism as a symbol of his distinctive participation in the priesthood of Christ, and the bishop handed Father Hsu a chalice containing wine mixed with water and a paten filled with bread.

Bishop Vasquez then offered the new priest a kiss of peace, sealing the reception of his new co-worker in priestly ministry. The Liturgy of the Eucharist then proceeded with the gifts of bread and wine brought forth by friends and family members of Father Hsu.

At the end of the Mass, the Paulists gathered in a circle around the baptismal font at the back of the church after the Mass as the bishop escorted Father Hsu into the center of the crowd with enthusiastic applause.

Father Hsu celebrated his first Mass the next morning at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle; he will soon take up his first pastoral post as associate pastor at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Los Angeles.