CARY – The Diocese of Raleigh celebrated a Mass of Candidacy at St. Michael the Archangel Church Aug. 10, which was also the feast of the martyr St. Lawrence.
The annual Mass is an occasion whereby seminarians, those who are in formation for the priesthood, return from their summer assignments and prepare for fall studies.
Benjamin Albanese, a student at Theological College in Washington, D.C., was called forward during Mass for the rite of admission to candidacy for holy orders. He affirmed his intent to complete preparation for ministry within the Church.
In a recent video update to his home parish of St. Ann in Clayton, he said of the rite, "It’s a big moment … it will be the Church recognizing this discernment that I have been going through for five years. I am roughly at the halfway point of my seminary formation, and I wanted to thank everyone for the prayers. I will be praying for you."
During the homily at Mass, Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama talked about how God knows people better than they know themselves.
“In your preparation … the best thing that you need to show and to be free is to let the people see your heart, and see your heart in many different ways, with the beauty of who you are,” he said. “And to let the people see how your heart has been healed by Jesus.”
The bishop also talked about how people sometimes try to control every piece of their lives.
“We are afraid to ‘die’ to the things that we don’t need in our lives,” he said. “You have the life in front of you. And you need to let Jesus help you to know who you are.”
Several priests were in attendance including Father Jeffrey Bowker, director of vocations, Father Michael Schuetz, promoter of vocations, and Father Michael Burbeck, pastor of St. Michael and vicar general of the diocese. Father Peter Grace, C.P., whom Albanese credits as someone who influenced him to discern, was also present.
Photos
Photos by Azul Photography
