On 29th June the Church celebrates its patron Saints Peter and Paul. Different and complementary, both remind us that the Church is founded on the apostles. It is around this date that most of the ordinations of new priests are celebrated. Being an important event for the life of the local Church, the celebration of a presbyterial ordination takes place preferably on Sundays and in the Cathedral, in the presence of the greatest number of people.
On Sunday, June 24th, 2018 at 16.00, in the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, at the estate of La Castille, His Excellency Monsignor Dominique Rey, Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, ordained 6 deacons and 4 priests. Among the priests ordained by Bishop Rey, was GERSON PERES DA ROSA, missionary of the Shalom Catholic Community.
During the ordination, the new priest received the priestly character “that configures him to Christ Priest to enable him to act in the person of Christ the Head” (Presbyterorum Ordinis, n.2); it is an indelible sign, just like baptism.
Gerson, a Brazilian and a member of Shalom Covenant Community, had been sent to France to study at the Diocesan Seminary of Castile in Toulon. After a year of studies, he decided to stay and asked to be incardinated in Toulon. Touched by the lack of faith and the non-knowledge of God, he chose to offer himself as a sacrifice for the French people, becoming a witness: a “joyful instrument of God’s love and mercy towards all those he meets in his missionary commitment“, as paraphrased in the message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI addressed to Shalom Community during the final approval of its Statutes.
On the day of his ordination, Father Gerson gave himself entirely to God to guide men.
“He must grow and I should decrease” (John 3, 22-30).
This phrase of St. John the Baptist was chosen by Father Gerson for his priestly ordination. It is a Sign that Christ dwells in a very special way: speaks in him, lives in him and celebrates in him. In the most important stages of human life, he will act in the name of Christ. The new priest has invited each of us to pray for all priests and all those who undertook this journey towards the priesthood.
The order has been broadcast live on cnmedia.fr and RCF Méditerranée.
Jean Vingt
Translation: Jhoanna Climacosa
Revision: Steven Heiber