For a newcomer to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass at St. Margaret Mary church in Oakland on September 14, the celebrant seemed unremarkable, except for his youthful appearance and obvious dedication to the Sacrifice of the Mass. For many who had been attending Mass here for the past nine years, however, this First Mass of a newly ordained priest was anything but unremarkable, for it was a “homecoming” of sorts: the new priest was a young man the congregation knew well, who had returned after traversing a long and arduous road to the priesthood, a road paved with years of prayers, sacrifices, and hard work.
This story was not unique: four new Institute priests celebrated their first Masses in their hometowns in the United States this summer and fall, following their ordinations in St. Louis, MO, on August 5, 2014. Similarly, four other new priests did the same in France, following their ordinations in Florence, Italy on July 3 this year. In the United States, New Orleans, Louisiana, received its native son, Canon Andrew Todd for his First Mass at St. Patrick’s Parish; Holy Saviour Parish in Norristown, Pennsylvania, welcomed home Canon Francis Altiere for his First Mass; St. Rose of Lima Parish in Quincy, Illinois, witnessed the First Mass of Canon Benjamin Coggeshall. The celebrant at St. Margaret Mary church in Oakland was Canon Joel Estrada. In each First Mass, the faithful assisting at Mass received not only the gratitude of the celebrant for their support through the years, but also the grace-filled First Blessings, accompanied by the possibility of a Plenary Indulgence, granted by Mauro Cardinal Piacenza, Penitentiary Major, of the Apostolic Penitentiary, for each of these special Masses.
“The Apostolic Penitentiary, by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, gladly grants the favors requested. Thus the faithful will be inspired to exercise more profoundly in their lives the supernatural virtues, especially Faith, Hope and Charity, and will strengthen their communion with the Supreme Pontiff, visible foundation of the unity of the entire Catholic Church.”
- Mauro Cardinal Piacenza, Penitentiary Major
In all cases, a festive reception followed the First Blessings, giving the faithful an opportunity to congratulate the newly ordained priest and his family. It was also an occasion for the congregations and the new priests to renew their commitment to continue to pray for one another as each new priest departs to his new assignment to serve Holy Mother Church.