When I go to Mass, during the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest blesses the Host that he consumes, but the unleavened bread that is given to the congregation is not taken out of the tabernacle until right before Communion. Since it has not been on the altar during the consecration, how can it be the Body of Christ?

John in Quincy

Dear John,

Catholics are a ritualistic people. Everything that we do from the moment we enter into the church to celebrate the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass until we exit through those very same doors has deep meaning and significance. For example, when we first walk through the doors of the church, we dip our fingers into the holy water font and make the Sign of the Cross. This ritualistic action reminds us of our baptism, and therefore reminds us of who we are. 

Then, when we arrive at our selected pew, we genuflect toward the tabernacle as a sign of reverence.  When we see that little flicker of light from the sanctuary lamp which burns near every tabernacle across the globe, we know that the Real Presence of Christ is present in the holy Eucharist contained within the tabernacle. Referring to the tabernacle, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: 

“The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament” (CCC 1379).

Here, we see that the tabernacle is the place within the church where the Eucharist is reserved.  During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the priest prays the Eucharistic Prayer, those very same words uttered by Jesus at the Last Supper, and consecrates the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist is then distributed to the faithful present at Mass; however, there are often leftover Hosts after everyone present in the church has received. These remaining Hosts are then reserved in the tabernacle to be distributed at future Masses, to the sick and homebound, for silent adoration, etc. This is why we genuflect toward the tabernacle as we arrive to our pews: to show reverence to Jesus truly present in every tabernacle the world over.

So, to the main crux of your question, we know that the Hosts present in the tabernacle are the Body of Christ because the priest has consecrated them during a celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. While it may be true that the priest did not consecrate the Hosts at the specific Mass that you are present for, the Host that you are receiving from the tabernacle is still the Body of Christ — the very same Eucharist made present on the altar.

Father Zachary D. Samples is parochial vicar of St. Peter Catholic Church in Quincy and associate chaplain at Quincy Notre Dame High School.

VIEW FUTURE SAINT’S MITRE — A mitre (bishop’s hat) of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen (right side of photo) was given to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki (center) on loan after Bishop Paprocki was the recipient of the Fulton J. Sheen Award at the Sports Faith International and WSFI Catholic Radio Sports Faith Hall of Fame induction ceremony May 27 in Waukegan. You can view the mitre after the 10 a.m. Mass on June 18 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Archbishop Sheen (shown in a photograph on the left), a former priest of the Diocese of Peoria who died in 1979, was a pioneer in radio and television. A former auxiliary bishop of the New York Archdiocese, he served as Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969 and spent his final years preaching retreats and missions. In 2012, Archbishop Sheen was declared “Venerable” by Pope Benedict XVI, step two of four of becoming a saint. In 2019, Pope Francis approved a miracle attributable to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, paving the way for his eventual beatification (step three of becoming a saint). Former Sacred Heart-Griffin High School (Springfield) football coach, Ken Leonard, was also inducted into the Sports Faith Hall of Fame May 27. A reminder that during the diocesan Year of the Eucharist, going on now through Dec. 8, you can receive an indulgence if you visit the Cathedral in Springfield or Ss. Peter and Paul in Alton, receive holy Communion, go to confession, and pray for the pope’s intentions.

Photo by Andrew Hansen

This summer, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to have Totus Tuus, a fun and faith-filled experience for children coming once again to several parishes across the diocese in June and July.

Totus Tuus is a weeklong Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through evangelization, catechesis, Christian witness, and eucharistic worship. The program inspires in young people a true longing for holiness, a deep desire for daily conversion, and an openness to their vocation. 

Two teams of college-aged teachers are traveling to a different parish each week, hosting the five-day catechetical program for grades 1-12. The week is filled with faith, fun, and friendship. There are messy games and crazy skits, in addition to prayer, learning the sacraments, and going to Mass. The young adult teachers also provide a witness to being an authentic disciple of Christ. The popular program sees hundreds of children participate every year in the diocese. 

For the schedule below, grades 7-12 are from Sunday-Thursday each week and the program is in the evenings. For grades 1-6, the program is Monday-Friday and starts in the morning and finishes in the afternoon.

June schedule: 

• June 11-15 (grades 7-12), June 12-16 (grades 1-6): St. Francis Solanus (Quincy), Sacred Heart (Effingham)
• June 18-22 (grades 7-12), June 19-23 (grades 1-6): St. Boniface (Edwardsville), Our Lady of Lourdes (Decatur)
• June 25-29 (grades 7-12), June 26-30 (grades 1-6): Holy Family (Granite City), St. Isidore (Dieterich) 

July schedule:

• July 9-13 (grades 7-12), July 10-14 (grades 1-6): St. Katharine Drexel (Springfield), St. Mary (Paris)
• July 16-20 (grades 7-12), July 17-21 (grades 1-6): St. John the Evangelist (Carrollton) 

Costs vary by parish. For more information and to sign up your child, call the parish office that is hosting Totus Tuus near you. You can also contact Daniel Heffernan, Totus Tuus director, Office for Vocations, with questions at .

Historic Eucharistic Congress in Springfield Oct. 28 to feature four impactful speakers, inspirational videos, and beautiful Mass at BOS Center
Get your seats starting July 1 through your parish
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor 

It has never happened in history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois – a Eucharistic Congress. Fittingly, it is happening during the national Eucharistic Revival and the diocesan Year of the Eucharist going on now and just two days after the 100-year anniversary of the transfer of the see city of the diocese from Alton to Springfield (Oct. 26, 1923). 

On Saturday, Oct. 28, you are invited to attend the Eucharistic Congress at the BOS Center in Springfield which will feature four popular Catholic speakers, Dr. Scott Hahn, Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, Father Chase Hilgenbrinck, and Father Denis Robinson, OSB; inspirational videos; sacraments; and Mass with Catholics from across the diocese.

Dr. Scott Hahn

Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM

Father Chase Hilgenbrinck

Father Denis Robinson, OSB

“The Eucharistic Congress will be about growing in your friendship with Jesus,” Bishop Thomas John Paprocki said. “We should make it a point every day to tell Jesus how much we love Him and how grateful we are for His many gifts. Our lives, family, friends, experiences, food, clothing, shelter, and good health are just some of the things we should thank Him for every day. What should also be on your list is what we are celebrating at the Eucharistic Congress, the gift Jesus instituted for us during the Last Supper, the holy Eucharist. We believe as Catholics that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of our savior, Jesus Christ. He is food for us so we can grow closer in our friendship with Him. I am confident your experience at the Eucharistic Congress will energize, inspire, and feed your faith, so that your friendship with Jesus grows in a radical way.”

To attend, you must contact your parish office as each parish in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will be designated a specific number of available seats. You can inquire with your parish starting July 1. If your parish has all their available seats reserved when you inquire, the public release of any more seats will be Sept. 1, if they become available.

Food will be available for purchase at concession stands, and you will be allowed to exit and return to the BOS Center throughout the day. For families, a family room will be open in the basement of the BOS Center to allow children to play (the parent/guardian must stay with their child(ren) in that room at all times as the room will not be supervised by staff). Confession and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will be available throughout the day. Catholic vendors will have booths and the diocesan Office of Archives and Record Management will have a display of history and photographs as we celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the transfer of the diocesan see from Alton to Springfield. 

There is no assigned seating at the Eucharistic Congress as it’s on a first come, first serve basis. So, if you want seats close to the speakers and altar, it’s advised to arrive when the doors open at 10:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 to claim your seats. Please be courteous, however, when choosing your seats, which also includes not leaving one or two empty seats between you and your neighbor. We’re expecting a full arena, so please sit next to someone to leave room for others when they arrive. 

There will be no Masses at any parish in the diocese Oct. 28. For more information about the Eucharistic Congress including frequently asked questions, go to: dio.org/revival-bos.

SIDE BARS:

The schedule of the Eucharistic Congress on Oct. 28

• 10:30 a.m.: Doors open, family room open, vendor row open
• 11 a.m.: Eucharistic adoration and confession available in basement (both end at 3:30 p.m.), concession stands open
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.: Screening of documentary, God is Alive | Stories of incredible faith and miraculous events in Central Illinois
• 12:50 p.m. – 1:35 p.m.: Dr. Scott Hahn presentation
• 1:50 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Screening of The Chair, video that highlights the history of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, and Bishop Paprocki's journey to Springfield
• 2:30 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.: Sister M. Karolyn Nunes, FSGM, presentation
• 2:50 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.: Father Chase Hilgenbrinck presentation
• 3:10 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Father Denis Robinson, OSB, presentation
• 4 p.m.: Mass

Schedule subject to change

Financially support/sponsor Eucharistic Congress

Are you interested in financially supporting this historic Eucharistic Congress? Please consider donating or becoming a sponsor. If you would like to make a financial gift to support the Eucharistic Congress, visit dio.org/give. If you are interested in event sponsorship, contact Rachel Langdon at rlangdon.org/(217) 321-1113. Thank you!

Volunteer at Eucharistic Congress 

Volunteers will receive a seat at the event, lunch, T-shirt, and graces for the day! Sign up at dio.org/revival-bos. Contact Teresa Gray at for questions. 

Why does the Church teach that Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from our sins when Second Isaiah states that God blots out our transgressions for his own sake and will not remember our sins?
Art in Effingham

Art,

Many passages in the Old Testament (and even the New Testament) can have layered meanings; specifically, there can be an immediate fulfillment of the promise but also a greater completion that happens in the future. Even as Catholic Christians living in the New Testament, we experience this “already but not yet” reality of Jesus’ redemption. Jesus has already won the victory, but that victory has not yet been fully realized. Jesus has conquered the enemy, yet we see evil. Basically, we are seeing the enemy and his kingdom lashing back as it is in the process of dying. 

Another example would be the Mass. We get to participate in the life of heaven now at every Mass that is celebrated. We worship the Lamb who was slain just like those the Bible describes as in heaven worshiping the Lamb who was slain (see Rev. 5). However, we are not yet fully in heaven in the way that those who have died and are experiencing the beatific vision are in heaven. Jesus himself said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (see Matt 3:2, 4:17, Mark 1:15).” Jesus performs healings, miracles, and deliverances to bring about the freedom and wholeness of heaven to earth, but this earth has not yet been made into a “new heaven and a new earth” as the book of Revelation describes. 

When it comes to God promising to blot the transgressions of his people and not remember their sins, there may be a similar dynamic at work. One, this passage is only truly and completely fulfilled in Jesus. Only through Jesus can we be completely forgiven of our sins. However, when Isaiah wrote that in the Old Testament, there is still a sense the passage could be describing how God is going to show more mercy to his people and relieve them of the punishment of experiencing the consequences of their sins. The Isaiah quote is certainly capturing something true and real, but it is an expression of God’s mercy. God being infinitely all-knowing cannot literally forget something, but the expression of “God forgetting our sins” is an expression of how God does not hold our sins against us and cancels the debt of sin. It is through Jesus’ passion, death, resurrection, and ascension that we have access to his infinite mercy, which is particularly received through the sacrament of confession.

In conclusion, the Isaiah passage refers to how God at the time was going to show His people gratuitous mercy and favor and relent in punishment, but ultimately it points to the full forgiveness that happens through Jesus in the New Testament.  

Father Michael Trummer is parochial vicar at St. Boniface Parish in Edwardsville and associate chaplain at Father McGivney Catholic High School in Glen Carbon.

Theresians to hold retreat at Villa Maria in Springfield
By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing editor

Theresians from Illinois and Iowa are hosting a retreat at Villa Maria Catholic Life Center on Lake Springfield from July 13-16.  This retreat for women is hosted by Theresians International, a global ministry for women with members in eight countries, said Vicki Schmidt, former executive director of Theresians International. 

The theme of the retreat is “The Little Way: A Journey Along St. Thérèse’s Path of Confidence and Love.” The main presenter at the event is Theresian Robin Hebert from Lafayette, La. She is a mother, grandmother, author, retreat leader, and spiritual director who brings to her talks a lifetime of love for St. Thérèse of Lisieux. Father Paul Chetcuti, SJ, from Malta will serve as chaplain. 

There will be an opening dinner at 5:30 p.m. before the first speaker talk begins at 7 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, July 13. Mass at 7:30 a.m. will start the days on Friday, July 14 and Saturday, July 15. Each of these two days includes three talks and three meals. On Sunday, July 16, there will be breakfast, one morning session, and a Mass at 11:15 to wrap up the retreat. 

The depth and breadth of St. Thérèse’s “Little Way” continues to have relevance for us today, according to Schmidt.  It is a simple, yet profound path to encountering Jesus. That’s why it is relevant that Hebert’s talks will be on the following subjects: A New Message; The Terrible Fault; Fisher of Souls; A Little Grain of Sand; The Way of Trust and Love; The Little Way of Spiritual Childhood; The Passion of Thérèse/The Passion of Christ; and I Will Spend My Heaven. 

The cost for those traveling from out of town and taking eight meals and lodging for the event is $380. Local commuters who will need registration and meals only will pay $260. To register go to http//:www.theresians.org and click on Events Midwest Regional Gathering. 

Just prior to their ordination, Deacons Alex McCullough, Daniel McGrath, and Jayke White stand before Bishop Thomas John Paprocki at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. Photo by Debbie BenzReady to serve
Three seminarians ordained to transitional diaconate
By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor

On May 26, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki ordained three seminarians to the transitional diaconate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. The ordinations of Deacon Alex McCullough, Deacon Daniel McGrath, and Deacon Jayke White took place at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield. 

During the ordination Mass the three men made promises to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, to be obedient to the bishop and his successors, and took a vow of celibacy. Then Bishop Paprocki laid hands on them and invoked the Holy Spirit with the Prayer of Ordination. The deacons were clothed with the stole and dalmatic and received the Book of the Gospels. 

During his homily and just prior to their ordination, Bishop Paprocki introduced the three seminarians to those present at the Cathedral, giving a little bit of information about each young man. He also spoke about the how the daily readings from the Office of Readings in the Liturgy of the Hours between the Solemnity of the Ascension and

Pentecost Sunday addressed different aspects of the Holy Spirit. 

 “Most of the time the action of the Holy Spirit in our lives is invisible and not readily apparent to us. Sometimes it is only in retrospect that we can discern the movement of the Holy Spirit. I am sure as you look back at your vocational discernment you can see at least traces of how the Holy Spirit has worked in your call to Sacred Orders,” he said. 

“ … Alex, Daniel, and Jayke: As we celebrate your ordination to the diaconate this evening, we pray that the grace of the Holy Spirit will have marvelous effects in your lives, blessing you with the unique charisms you will need in your ministry, changing you as needed to be courageous disciples, and filling you with the joy that only the Lord can give,” Bishop Paprocki said.

After their ordination, the three new transitional deacons pose with their bishop.  From left to right are Deacon Alex McCullough, Deacon Jayke White, Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, and Deacon Daniel McGrath. Photo by Debbie BenzNow that they are ordained, all three men will spend a good part of the summer months assigned to parishes in different areas of the diocese. They were notified of those assignments before the ordination. 

“I will be assigned this summer to Holy Family Parish in Decatur, where Father Mark Tracy is the pastor,” said Deacon McCullough. “I lived in Decatur for two years and am excited to have the chance to be back in the area. This summer assignment is also part of St. Meinrad’s formation program where I am given the opportunity to get to preach at Mass several times over the summer, as well as get involved in ministries such as making visits to the sick and homebound.” 

Deacon McGrath will be living at Mother of Dolors Parish in Vandalia for the summer. “It will be special for me as the first parish I will preach to on a regular basis, serve at Mass as a deacon, visit the homebound, and serve the people there as needed,” Deacon McGrath said. “I look forward to serving and learning from Father Seth (Brown) and the people of Vandalia and Ramsey about what it means to be a deacon in the Church. My prayers are with them as I prepare for this assignment.” 

Deacon White says he too, is looking forward to his summer assignment. “I’ll be serving for roughly 10 weeks this summer at St. Peter Church in Quincy, under the tutelage of Msgr. Leo Enlow,” he said. “I served at this parish in 2016 as a Totus Tuus team member, and I’m so excited for the chance to return! I’m also looking forward to working with my friend and mentor, Father Zach Samples, who has been an enormous support during my time in seminary.” 

To be a deacon is to serve — and as deacons, the three men can now assist at Mass, proclaim the Gospel and give homilies, baptize and witness marriages, and preside at wake and graveside services. 

By DIANE SCHLINDWEIN
Managing Editor

After nearly a two-decade career as a leader in Catholic Dominican secondary education, Sister Katherine O’Connor, OP, is stepping down as president of Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield. She announced her retirement earlier this school year and will leave her post this summer. She noted  that her decision came after much prayer, discernment, and discussions with her family, friends, and congregational leadership. 

Sister Katherine took on the school’s presidency in 2005, and before then, as a member of the Dominican Sisters’ Leadership Team, served as council liaison on the SHG advisory board. The role of the president in the president-principal leadership model is crucial when building a future for a school; and Sister Katherine has taken her role very seriously. 

“Sister Katherine has been a steadying and visionary force at Sacred Heart-Griffin for 18 years,” said Sister Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP, prioress general of the Springfield Dominican Sisters.

Sister Katherine has also accomplished much in her tenure. She successfully led SHG through two capital campaign projects that raised millions of dollars for renovation of the school’s west campus and Dominican Hall. To ensure that SHG remains an affordable option for families in the community, Sister Katherine, along with the board of directors, made the decision to freeze tuition and offer more financial assistance to families who are seeking a Catholic Dominican education. During the COVID pandemic, Sister Katherine was a tireless advocate of safe and in-person education. She has always been a positive presence both in the school and at school and sports events.

Sister Katherine has a lengthy background in education. Before she took her position at SHG, she spent 20 years educating students and serving as principal at a variety of schools. She worked in California before moving back to Illinois, taking on the roles of principal, assistant principal, and interim principal at schools across the state. In 1994, Sister Katherine moved to Springfield to become the principal at St. Agnes School, which was her last job before she became president at SHG. 

“The SHG Board of Directors congratulates Sister Katherine O’Connor on her 18 years as president of SHG,” said board president Chris McDowell, M.D. “We are grateful for her installing the Dominican values of community, service, study, and prayer across the administration, faculty, and student body.” 

“The last 18 years have been filled with many challenges and opportunities,” Sister Katherine said, adding that her heart is filled with love and gratitude. “It has been a privilege to lead SHG during this time. Many changes have taken place but our focus on academic excellence in a community of faith has remained the same.  I will leave Sacred Heart-Griffin feeling extremely blessed.” 

Dr. Moredock hired as new SHG president

When Sister Katherine O’Connor steps aside as president of Sacred Heart-Griffin, she will hand the leadership of that high school to Dr. Bill Moredock. He was recently named to his new position by the Member Board (the elected leadership of the Dominican Sisters of Springfield) and the Sacred Heart-Griffin Governing Board of Directors. 

Moredock currently serves as the principal of Little Flower School in Springfield, where over his last six years as principal the Catholic grade school’s enrollment increased from 180 students to 305.

He also has a rich history with SHG. A 1972 graduate of Griffin High School, he served as the director of student and family services at SHG from 2002 to 2017. From 1990 to 2002, he served as a guidance counselor at SHG. 

Moredock completed his undergraduate education from the University of Notre Dame and his graduate work was at the University of Dayton and the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, where he received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology. 

He and his wife, Susan, have two daughters and one son, all graduates at SHG.  He will begin his work at SHG on July 1.  

My husband and I were both raised as Catholics. He divorced long before I met him and subsequently married him. My question is, have I been excommunicated because of this marriage and if not, can I still receive Communion? This is my first and only marriage as we were both in our 50s when we met and married.
Mary in Springfield

Dear Mary, 

The Code of Canon Law lists excommunication under “Penalties and Other Punishments,” the purpose of which is to help one who has broken communion with the Church to restore communion with the Church. The gravity of excommunication is meant to lead a person to recognize the seriousness of what he or she has done. 

The penalty of excommunication may be given to a member of the Church who completely repudiates the faith, commits heresy, rejects the authority of the Church, who desecrates the Eucharist, physically attacks the pope, attempts to absolve an accomplice, ordains a bishop without a mandate from the pope, or who violates the seal of the confessional. Marrying a divorced person is nowhere listed as a reason for which one might be excommunicated. Unless you have received a decree of excommunication, it is safe to say you have not been excommunicated.

The question of whether or not you may receive holy Communion is difficult to answer, given the information you have provided.

The Church presumes the validity of every marriage — until proven otherwise — and upholds what Jesus says about marriage: “Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery” (Luke 16:18). The opposite, of course, holds true for a woman who divorces her husband or who marries a man who divorced his wife. Divorce itself does not end a marriage; it is death that ends a marriage.

The answer to the question of whether you can receive the Eucharist or not largely depends on whether he entered a valid marriage with the woman he civilly divorced. Catholics are required by the Church to marry a Catholic in the presence of a bishop, priest, or deacon using the Church’s ritual for marriage. Permission may be obtained to marry a non-Catholic and dispensations may be received to marry outside the Church, but a person must request such a permission of dispensation. 

If the woman from whom your husband is divorced was not — or had not been — a Catholic at the time of the wedding and he did not receive permission to marry her, or if the marriage took place outside the Church without the necessary dispensation, that marriage would be invalid, and he would have been free to marry you. This can be proved with a couple of documents, and he can easily receive a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage. 

If he did marry according to the Church’s laws regarding marriage, that marriage is presumed to be valid, and he could not have validly married you. In such case, he would have needed a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, commonly — and incorrectly — called an “annulment” before attempting another marriage. If he obtained a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage and you married in the Church, I see no reason why you cannot receive holy Communion.

If he has not received a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage, your marriage to him would not be valid, and therefore, you are not able to receive holy Communion at the present time. If this is the case, you should encourage him to speak with your pastor about petitioning for a Declaration of Nullity of Marriage. If one is granted, your civil marriage to him can be validated, and you could receive the Eucharist.

If you have further questions about this, I encourage you to visit dio.org/tribunal.

Father Daren Zehnle, J.C.L., K.C.H.S., is pastor at St. Augustine in Ashland and is the director for the Office of Divine Worship and the Catechumenate for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. 

Priests from our diocese reflect on what it was like celebrating their first Mass

Father Berndt is shown at his  Mass of Thanksgiving in June 2020 at Sacred Heart Parish in Effingham.Father Michael Berndt

Our ordination was on a Friday evening, and I wasn't going to wait until Sunday to celebrate my first Mass. So, I celebrated the first Mass where I was the main celebrant at the small chapel at the Villa Maria Conference Center in Springfield where I had stayed the night before. There were probably less than 10 people as I remember it in the little chapel there. One of them was a priest from Rockford, Father Ervin, who was making sure I was doing everything right, and his friend in the congregation who I didn't even know. I think there was another priest concelebrant? I can't even remember! Sort of anticlimactic, but it's not about me! My vocation never was. I remember forgetting the Prayer over the Offerings, and Father Ervin gently finding that place for me in the Missal and pointing to it. 

My first Mass of Thanksgiving where I had family and friends present was at Sacred Heart in Effingham. I cried, giving the "thank-yous" at the end. How do you thank your parents and grandparents for giving you the faith? I remember genuflecting to the tabernacle after one of my first Masses which contained a Sacred Host which I had consecrated, thinking that through my priestly hands I have brought Christ to earth. That was awesome. God is so good. 

Father Michael Berndt is parochial vicar at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Effingham.

Father Samples’ first Mass was May 29, 2022, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Decatur.Father Zach Samples

Awe, splendor, wonder, amazement, beauty, grace, gratitude, peace, joy, mercy, and most of all, love. It is impossible to capture what was going through my head while celebrating my first Mass in a single word, but this list begins to get to the point. I think that last word gets us especially to the point: love. At the end of the day, the Eucharist is about love. It is about the love of God sacrificed, shared, and poured out for His people — poured out so that we might experience joy, peace, mercy, forgiveness, and a foretaste of that heavenly banquet table.

As I celebrated my first Mass, I was so incredibly moved by the love that God has for me and for all of us. Saying those words that Jesus first uttered at His Last Supper, consecrating simple bread and wine into Jesus's Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, and sharing that Real and True Presence with others for the first time was as overwhelming as it was humbling. I thought about the love, mercy, and forgiveness I have received time and time again from our Lord. I remembered all those who had played such an important role in bringing me to an encounter with Jesus, most especially my late mother. Above all, I was overcome by inestimable and unconditional love that Jesus has for you and for me.

Father Zach Samples is parochial vicar at St. Peter Church in Quincy and associate chaplain at Quincy Notre Dame High School. 

After celebrating his first Mass at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield, Father Lesupati went to his native country of Kenya to offer a Mass of Thanksgiving amongst family and friends in June of 2022. Father Paul Lesupati 

It was on May 29, 2022,  that I celebrated my first Mass of Thanksgiving at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Springfield. The experience I felt at this first Mass was some nervousness, overwhelmed by the joy of celebrating my Mass of thanksgiving among the parishioners of Blessed Sacrament. 

I traveled back to my home country of Kenya for a Mass of Thanksgiving at my home parish of St. George Catholic Parish in Laisamis (Marsabit Diocese) in Kenya on June 5, 2022, the feast of Pentecost. It was a great joy to be back in my local church, a church that nurtured my faith. I was baptized when I was an infant, received first holy Communion, the sacrament of confirmation, and served as an altar server there. Now, I was now celebrating a Mass as a priest! 

It was with great joy, humility, and gratitude that I gave thanks to God for the gift of priesthood. The experience I felt was overwhelming, standing in at the altar in persona Christ (in the person of Christ), offering the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, surrounded by my brother priests, members of my own family, relatives, friends, and many parishioners who travelled from different places just to witness and give thanks to God with me and for the gift of my priesthood. I owe a lot of respect to my brother priests and mentors (Father Jeff Grant and Father Dean Probst of our diocese) who travelled all the way from Illinois to accompany and support me. That day was filled with the Holy Spirit as we celebrated the descending of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles (Pentecost Day). 

The experience of my Mass was like seeing God’s grace working in my life, thanking God for those who helped me to reach the Altar of God, and seeing the Holy Spirit guiding me in my vocation journey to the priesthood. I never thought that one day I would be a priest in a foreign country like the U.S., but once we let the Holy Spirit guide us, He will lead us to where He wants (us) to be.  

Another thing I experienced at my first Mass was the decoration and participation of the community. Everyone was singing, dancing, and clapping their hands as they sang a thanksgiving song. I will also never forget this particular experience at my first Mass which touched and stayed with me: Before the final blessing, I walked from the altar over to my mother who was sitting in the front pew, and I placed a white cloth in her hands. I explained to her this white cloth was called a manutergium, and it was used at my ordination to wipe the excess chrism from my hands after being anointed by our Bishop Thomas John Paprocki.  I explained to her that traditionally, this white cloth is given to a mother of a priest, as well as placed in her hands upon her death, so that, at her last judgement, she is to present this cloth to our Lord. It is a symbol of a great honor and sacrifice to have born a son who is a priest. I can still remember tears flowing in my eyes and both my mother’s and sister’s as I passed the manutergium from my hands into hers. The whole congregation was sobbing with tears and after Mass, everyone approached me and told me that it was a touching experience, and that was a precious gift I gave my mother. This was one of the greatest, joyful moments in my life. Tears of joy flowed from me. I thank God for such precious gift, the gift of the priesthood.

Father Paul Lesupati is parochial vicar at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield.  

Father Piotr Kosk raises the Body of Christ during his first Mass in 2020 at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit in Mt. Zion.Father Piotr Kosk

My journey to the priesthood began in 2013, beginning with my formation in Poland and culminating with my ordination in May of 2020 in Springfield. On my way to Quincy five days before my ordination, I learned that because of the COVID shutdown, Masses could only be celebrated online. To say that my ordination, which took place on May 2, 2020, differed from the annual ordination ceremony known in our diocese is an understatement as unsent invitations sat in a box and a trip to Poland was canceled. Also, a Cathedral that would normally be filled with a joyful congregation was empty. Those special people in my life I had expected to attend to celebrate this most extraordinary day with me were also missing:  My mom was not there to cry with happiness and my family and friends were not present to bestow their congratulations. The collective joy of the faithful gathered in the Cathedral was also missing. Instead, those present were just me, Bishop Paprocki, a handful of priests, and Jesus Christ, who came to give the world a new priest. And yet, amidst all of this somberness, an unusual, though not unpleasant, silence enveloped my heart.

During the ordination Mass, I cried three times. The crying was a mixture of both sadness and great joy. Sadness, because during the readings, I looked around at the empty building of the Cathedral, and joy, because the bishop gave a beautiful homily in Polish that touched me deeply. The third time I cried with happiness was when the bishop placed the Body and Blood of Christ in my unworthy and unsteady hands. Tears flowed from my eyes, because I experienced the exquisite beauty and love of God, who allowed me to embrace Him and feel Him. Christ entered my life even stronger, giving me His grace, strength, love, gift of forgiveness, and above all, His Spirit, so that I could preach His Good News and be an example of what I believe in. It was the most beautiful moment of my life. The culmination of this was an unexpected surprise as a group of my loved ones were waiting in front of the Cathedral with applause and balloons. 

The next day, Sunday, I was scheduled to celebrate my Mass of Thanksgiving at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Parish Mt. Zion. I couldn't sleep Saturday night as I was so excited and overwhelmed by all that had happened at my ordination. As in the Cathedral the day before, there were the allowable 10 people at this Mass and several hundred watching online. With a shaky voice and broken English, I celebrated my first Mass. The most beautiful moment was when I said the words of consecration, "This is my Body” and “This is my Blood.” Then I reflected for a few seconds about what God has done for us and is still doing for us, so that we can be holy and gain eternal life. I knew then what a great gift I had received. Today, celebrating the Mass is a great gift for me, being in union with God and adoring Him in His Flesh and Blood. There is no greater joy than to lay down my life, who I am with my joys and my crosses, on the altar with Christ.

While my journey into the religious life began 10 years ago, I have been a priest for less than three years, and a pastor for less than one. It has been an incredible journey thus far, filled with higher highs and lower lows than I could ever imagine, but through it all, God’s grace and the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit have guided me. So, it is with all of us. God’s plans are so much greater for us than we can imagine. We need only trust in Him. I cannot wait to see what more God has in store for me and you. We are truly blessed to be called the children of God!

Father Piotr Kosk is pastor of St. Mary in Taylorville, St. Rita in Kincade, and Holy Trinity in Stonington.