Ordination of Dom Augustine

The ordination of Fr Augustine was a joyous occasion - in extraordinary times. It was carried out in compliance of the government covid restrictions. The ordaining Bishop ,our former Abbot, Bishop Mark Jabalé and the Belmont community could carry out the liturgy without masks as part of the same household when interacting with each other. Otherwise masks were worn. Sadly the numbers were restricted. Fr Augustine's sister, Giulia Primavesi, sang beautifully and his parents did the readings. Sadly, because of these restrictions, we were not able to celebrate together afterwards.

Bishop Mark's homily is below. Click the images to enlarge.

God the Father so loved the world that he sent his Son Jesus, so that the world might be saved. Jesus, in turn, sent the Apostles and their successors, the bishops; that through them his work as Shepherd and High Priest might continue. By consecration Augustine will be made a co-worker with the bishops, and a true priest of the New Testament, to preach the Gospel, sustain God’s people and celebrate the liturgy, above all the Lord’s sacrifice, the great act of worship which cannot come to pass without the priest. As priests, we are never therefore, more truly ourselves than when we stand at the altar to celebrate Mass, the mystery of our faith. 

Augustine, through prayer and silent contemplation, you have prepared for this extraordinary moment when, by the grace of ordination, you will be shaped after the pattern of the Person of Christ the Eternal High Priest. St John Paul II tells us that the priest is to be “the living and transparent image of Christ the priest.” The man, who is a priest, is chosen and set apart by God to make his love present in the world. Therefore, the man who is ordained a priest is configured to Jesus Christ, the true High Priest. Today, you become a priest in your very being. From this day, your deepest identity will be that you are a priest for ever. So, as you prostrate and we sing the Litany of the Saints you might well ponder what you are called to be. Meditate on the most striking words of Pope Benedict at his Mass of inauguration as Pope; make them your own: "One of the basic characteristics of a shepherd must be to love the people entrusted to him, even as he loves Christ whom he serves. 'Feed my sheep' says Christ to Peter, and now, at this moment, he says it to me as well. Feeding means loving, and loving also means being ready to suffer. Loving means giving the sheep what is truly good, the nourishment of God's truth, of God's word, the nourishment of his presence, which he gives us in the Blessed Sacrament. My dear friends - at this moment I can only say: pray for me that I may learn to love the Lord more and more. Pray for me that I may learn to love his flock more and more." That wasPope Benedict. Today, now, this is asked of all of us, Augustine’s friends, his family, and community: pray to God and his Saints for him, as he is called for this service of love today.

And you, Augustine, you on your side, every day, remind yourself what your priesthood is about. Pope Francis sums it up so well, when he gives us his seven pillars of the priesthood; they are:

• - The strength of a priest depends on his relationship with Christ.
• - He must be close to the people he serves.
• - The authority of the priest must be linked to service, especially to those who are poor and weak.
• - He must be a minister of mercy.
• - He is called to a simplicity of life.
• - He must be a model of integrity.
• - He should be a source of blessing for his people.

Therefore, it is to be through the simple, humble service of love rather than domination or control. It is about gentleness and compassion rather than rigidity and arrogance. It is about being a proclaimer of the truth – but God’s truth, not your own. It is about showing people the way, by word and mostly by example, and leading them along the Lord’s way, not your own. Christ now entrusts his priesthood into your hands, so that the people of God will see in you the image of Christ, our High Priest; and when you celebrate the Mystery of our redemption, remember always that it is not a private devotion but a Public Sacrifice; and that you are acting in Persona Christi. 

Finally, your twofold calling, first to the monastic life as a professed member of this Community, and now to the priesthood, both witnesses of God’s immense love for you, and of the trust and confidence he puts in you also carry responsibilities which must never clash or get in the way of each other. On the contrary, each is to help the other to a greater love and service of God and of his people. The priestly ministry to which you are called must never be the excuse to neglect your prayer life; but equally, the keeping of your monastic vows must never be an excuse to neglect your priestly ministry. Each should inform and enrich the other. In that way, you will never stray far from God and from the purpose he has for you as he calls you to service in the priesthood today.