Thursday, March 22, 2012

Priesthood Promises

DECLARATION TO BE MADE PRIOR TO THE
RECEPTION OF SACRED ORDERS ACCORDING TO CANON 1036
OF THE 1983 CODE OF CANON LAW

     I the undersigned, Dominic Charles Petan, son of William and Josephine Petan, of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, having presented my petition to the Bishop for receiving the Order of Presbyter, do now, as Sacred Ordination is at hand, having diligently weighed the matter before God, testify under oath that I am not motivated by any force or fear in receiving this Sacred Order but ask for it of my own free will and choice because I believe that I am truly called by God to do so.

     I assert that one and all of the duties flowing from this Sacred Order are fully known to me, which duties I willingly accept and propose with God's help to carry out most diligently all the days of my life.

     Especially I swear that I clearly understand the implication of the law of celibacy and that I freely embrace it and will keep it faithfully with God's help until the end of my life.

     Finally I faithfully swear that, according to the norms of the Sacred Canons, I shall obey most faithfully in all the matters which my superiors command and the discipline of the Church demands and that I am prepared to give a good example in word and deed, relying in the hope that I may be rewarded by God for receiving this Order.

     So I affirm, so profess, so I swear; so help me God and these holy Gospels which I touch with my hand.
___________________________________________________

19 of my brother deacons and I made this promise before representatives of the Church (i.e. our seminary Rector) and the seminary community, along with oaths of faith and fidelity to the Church, as the last canonical step towards ordination to the priesthood.  Once I receive the formal "call to orders" from my bishop, there will be nothing formal standing in between me and ordination.

I'll just take this opportunity to thank all who have supported me over the last six years and have made it possible for me to be here at this time and in this place, ready to fulfill the good work that God has called me to.

Please join me in praising God for his abundant mercy!

Verso l'alto!

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