The bells of St Patrick’s Cathedral rang out on the morning of Saturday 21 September, announcing the imminent ordination of Melbourne’s newest priest, Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry. A spirit of joy and gratitude filled the Cathedral as the faithful of Melbourne gathered to witness and celebrate this significant moment in the life of the local Church.
Welcoming family members, friends, well-wishers and brother seminarians and priests to the Cathedral, as well as those watching online from across the city and around the world, Archbishop Peter A Comensoli extended ‘a very special welcome’ to Isabella and Clancy Géry, who had travelled all the way from Mauritius to join their son ‘for this beautiful day’, and to the Mauritian community, who had gathered, Mauritian flags in hand, to celebrate the ordination of their countryman.
The first Scripture reading—from the prophet Jeremiah—was read by Fr Jean-Sébastien’s brother, Christopher Géry, and the second reading, from the First Letter of St Paul to Timothy, was read by Sharma Peasnell. Fr Jean-Sébastien’s parents carried the offertory gifts.
It is to this mission—to preach the crucified Christ—that Jean-Sébastien is configured today ... priesthood is service and sacrifice, the giving of one’s whole life, in the image of Christ himself.
In his homily, Archbishop Comensoli remarked that both Jeremiah and Timothy were ‘likely to have been teenagers at the time in their lives when they received their mission—one a prophet, the other a teacher, but both sufferers for the sake of speaking God’s Word.
‘That isn’t a bad definition of what a priest is,’ he said. ‘By the mission given, a priest is principally a preacher, a speaker, of God’s words into and among God’s people, whether it is heeded or not.’
Every priest, he said, is called to preach Christ crucified, as St Paul put it.
‘It is to this mission—to preach the crucified Christ—that Jean-Sébastien is configured today. It will take on many hues and exhibit many forms, each according to the circumstances into which this proclamation is directed. But at heart, priests are configured to be the proclaiming Christ. It is why priesthood is service and sacrifice, the giving of one’s whole life, in the image of Christ himself.’
Echoing these sentiments, in one of the most moving and significant moments in the Rite of Ordination, Archbishop Comensoli laid hands Fr Jean-Sébastien before praying the Prayer of Ordination over him, asking that the new priest might ‘be a worthy co-worker with our Order [of bishops], so that by his preaching and through the grace of the Holy Spirit the words of the Gospel may bear fruit in human hearts and reach even to the ends of the earth.’
Today, I’ve been ordained a priest. It is a gift—a gift I have received through you, the people of God. And it is a gift for you, from the Father himself.
Speaking at the end of the Mass, the newly ordained Fr Jean-Sébastien thanked everyone for their presence—‘particularly those who have been travelling from far and wide’—remarking that he had ‘earnestly desired to celebrate and share the gift of priesthood with you’. To his friends and family in Mauritius who had woken at 4am to watch the livestream of the ordination, he said, ‘thank you and bonjour à tous [hello everyone]’.
‘I’ve heard that we can choose friends, but not our family. To the priests of Melbourne: today, I became your brother. Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice in that,’ he joked. ‘But for my part, I am grateful for your fraternity and, for many of you, your deep friendship. And I am looking forward to walking with you in this vocation. I need you.’
He concluded by highlighting the gift of the priesthood. ‘Today, I’ve been ordained a priest. It is a gift—a gift I have received through you, the people of God. And it is a gift for you, from the Father himself. And I feel humble and grateful to God, who calls me to your service. And this is my gift: as I have received freely, so do I give freely. Thank you for your prayers.’
Banner image: Fr Jean-Sébastien Géry.
All photos by Casemento Photography.
