Amen

I was ordained as a priest today in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church, with several lines of apostolic succession. I must say, I have felt the Spirit and His power before, but I'm at a loss for words to describe the way the Spirit fell on me today when Bishop/Abbot Jim and the two other priests there laid hands on me. I wondered how I was going to get up off my knees, much less stand and consecrate. But I did. I didn't really begin to "feel" like a priest, though, until after we recessed and began taking pictures. Now I feel like a priest.

And getting used to being called "Father"? That may take a while, even though I have been a father for 8 years, in that I have a daughter that old. But now I'm a father, an elder, an presbyter in the Church. I am overwhelmed, thankful, and humbled. I choked up a couple of times, and was nearly speechless for a while.

I was called by God audibly 30 years ago when I was 14. Thank you, those of you who read this blog and prayed--your prayers were felt.

Well, my wife and Extreme Makeover:Home Edition waits. Ty and the crew just blew up their first house and I want to see the rest.

God's blessings be with you,
fr francis