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RITE OF CANDIDACY
Diocesan seminarian takes next step to priesthood

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
(Email Renee)

Justin McCarty, a seminarian for the Diocese of Sioux City, took a step closer to the priesthood on July 18 as he formally declared his desire to become a candidate for the sacrament of holy orders during a rite that was led by Bishop R. Walker Nickless.

“Today is a special day in the life of the Diocese of Sioux City and it’s a special day for you at this parish,” the bishop said.

The special rite was held during the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Joseph Parish in Hartley.

Bishop Nickless pointed out that Justin wanted to receive the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders in his home parish to be with his parents and thank the parish family for their prayerful support and dedication to Christian living.

“May this be a reminder for all of you to continue to pray for him every day on his journey to become a priest,” the bishop said. “I want to thank in a special way Justin’s parents and family for giving us their son and their brother. Vocations come from families that are holy. We need families to encourage vocations.”

He pointed out that Justin also wanted to hold the ceremony in his home parish to serve as a witness to other young men who may also consider following a call to priesthood.

Bishop Nickless explained the purpose of the rite to candidacy and reflected on the call to priesthood, noting that the call of the Lord must be heard and understood by means of signs which reveal daily the will of God.

“Those whom God chooses to be sharers in the ministerial priesthood of Christ, he prompts and helps with his grace,” he explained. “At the same time he entrusts to us the task of inquiring about the candidate’s aptitude. Once they have been duly tested, we will call and ordain them, marking them with the singular seal of the Holy Spirit for the ministry of God and the church.”

The bishop told Justin that through formation he will learn to live according to the Gospel and will be strengthened in faith, hope and charity.

Bishop Nickless called Justin forward by name and the seminarian stood before him for examination, acceptance into candidacy, profession of faith and prayer intentions.

Following the ceremony, Justin said having the ceremony in his home parish brought back memories. He pointed out that as he listened to the readings, he could feel the Holy Spirit reaffirming him.

“I still have a long way to go – four years – but this is a time to reapply and rededicate that much more strongly,” said Justin, who just completed a year of spirituality at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, where he will continue his seminary studies. “I want to take advantage of the different services that are available at seminary to gain the knowledge and holiness that it will take to be a good, holy priest.”

Justin’s mother, Donna, said the candidacy ceremony was very moving and she believes Bishop Nickless did a wonderful job of explaining what this step in Justin's life means.

“We are pleased that Justin has come this far in his studies and know he will be a good priest when he finishes his studies,” she said. “I am humbled when I think about God calling our son to serve Him as a priest - we are just ordinary people trying to be good parents and wanting our children to know and have a relationship with Christ.”

Justin’s father, Dan, also described the ceremony to be very moving. He said the bishop did a good job of thanking the parish community for their formation and support of Justin.

“We have always supported Justin's decision on a vocation and are proud of him and know he will make a fine priest for our diocese,” said Dan McCarty.

Justin extended gratitude to not only his parents for their positive example and support but also to the parishioners of St. Joseph as they helped pass on the faith to him.

“I appreciate their witness,” he said. “Many of them were my catechists growing up. They had a big part to play in what prompted me to go to the seminary.”