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Ordination to the Priesthood and Mass of Thanksgiving 2024

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ORDINATION TO THE PRIESTHOOD & MASS OF THANKSGIVING 2024

 

The Carmelite Province of Saint Elias rejoices in the recent priesthood ordination and Mass of Thanksgiving of Rev. Jonathan P. Steele, O.Carm. On Saturday, 25 May 2024, the Most Rev. Charles Jason Gordon, Archbishop of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, was the ordaining prelate. The Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, was the principal concelebrant. Rev. Bro. Gregg J. Durham, O.Carm. and Rev. Bro. Ryan-Joseph Resurreccion, O.Carm. served as deacons. There were also about thirty priests, both Carmelites and Diocesan, who concelebrated at the Ordination Mass. The People of Praise provided the choir and the local parishioners served as altar servers, sacristans, and in the hospitality ministry. In attendance were also Lay Carmelites, families of our Carmelite brothers serving in Trinidad as well as friends who flew from the United States and many parishioners. The Ordination was held in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Queen of the Universe, in Bourg Mulatresse, Trinidad.

In his homily, the Archbishop spoke passionately about the priesthood. On multiple occasions, he referenced the readings and tied it to the new ministry that Fr. Jonathan was entering in. He encouraged Fr. Jonathan to be the face of God’s justice and mercy to those whom he will encounter in his new ministry. Following the homily, the ordination rite took place. After he was vested in the chasuble and stole, the Provincial presented him to the people who welcomed him with a warm applause. At the end of Mass, Fr. Mario thanked all who were present who made the ceremony possible. He specially thanked Fr. Jonathan’s parents for raising a very fine man who will make a great Carmelite priest.

On Sunday, 26 May 2024, the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, newly ordained Fr. Jonathan celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish of Santa Rosa in Arima. The Mass was concelebrated by Very Rev. Mario Esposito, O.Carm., Prior Provincial, and Rev. Francis Amodio, O.Carm. who preached wonderfully about the Holy Trinity and the priesthood, referring to different aspects of Fr. Jonathan’s ordination.  Following the Mass, Fr. Jonathan stayed at the church to impart his first blessings. We ask that you continue to pray for an increase of vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We also ask that you pray for Fr. Jonathan as he begins his new ministry as a Carmelite priest.

 

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