April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
Rite of Candidacy a step toward ordination
Candidates for the priesthood go through three rites, according to diocesan Vocations Team member Rev. Thomas Konopka, pastor of St. Joseph's parish in Greenwich.
The first two rites are called "minor ministries;" in these, candidates are formally installed by Bishop Howard J. Hubbard as acolytes and lectors. The third is the rite of candidacy, the Church's public acceptance of someone's candidacy for the priesthood (or for the permanent diaconate). In the Albany Diocese, future priests go through the rite when they're about to enter the seminary.
Prayer with Bishop
"The custom in our Diocese has been to gather for evening prayer at Christ the King parish [in Westmere]," Father Konopka explained.After the prayers, candidates for the priesthood are called forward, and the Bishop gives a short talk and asks them a few questions -- for instance, whether they're willing to commit themselves to study, prayer and discernment of their vocations.
Then the Bishop tells the men that the community accepts them as candidates for the priesthood.
Since the ceremony also takes place the day before those who've completed their education are ordained as priests, "we also pray for whoever's going to be ordained the next day," Father Konopka noted.
New emphasis
While the rite of candidacy has long existed, the Diocese is emphasizing it more this year because it's the first time in several years that four men -- Thomas Lawless, Neal Longer, Michael Cambi and Mark Bolduc -- have been accepted to study for the priesthood for the Albany Diocese."It's part of our effort to keep a momentum going with vocations awareness and recruitment," said Father Konopka.
The event, he said, not only emphasizes that there are men entering the seminary and that there is a rite to celebrate this, but that the candidates have successfully completed the lengthy application process for the priesthood.
Acceptance
That process can take several months. Applicants fill out eight or nine pages of paperwork, answering questions like, "Who is God to you?" They must also have letters of recommendation, undergo psychological testing and be interviewed by three members of the Formation for Priesthood board.Then the entire board meets and makes its recommendation to Bishop Hubbard, who makes the final decision on whether to accept an applicant to study for the priesthood.
The rite of candidacy "is a public acknowledgement," said Father Konopka. "We're not saying they're going to be ordained; we're saying we'll pray and support them, and they're saying they will pray and study" as they discern their vocations.
The priest noted that while the rite of candidacy is a simple ritual, "it really is a sign of support to these guys. The Bishop is saying, `We accept your candidacy;' the community is saying, `We affirm what we've seen in you.'"
(The rite of candidacy will be held June 8 at 8:30 p.m. at Christ the King parish in Westmere.)
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