ORDINATION TO PRIESTHOOD
William Vit follows call to serve God's people

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
July 14, 2005

At the ordination Mass for the newest priest of the Diocese of Sioux City, the ordaining prelate told him that just as Christ had asked Peter to feed his sheep, he would be asked to shepherd God's people.

"My friends, today we gather to celebrate the ordination into the presbyteral order of our friend and brother, William Vit," said Archbishop Hanus of Dubuque in the introduction. "He will fulfill his Christian vocation in a ministry of priestly service in the diocese."

In opening comments Msgr. Roger Augustine, administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City, extended gratitude to the archbishop and other priests for their presence at the ceremony.

Two of Vit's three siblings, Dallas and Sarah, delivered the readings - Jeremiah 1:4-9 and 1Peter 4:7-11. Deacon Patrick Peach, a classmate of Vit's from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, proclaimed the Gospel - John 21:15-17.

Following the Liturgy of the Word, William Vit was called by name and presented for ordination by Father Brian Hughes, director of vocations for the diocese. Father Hughes stated that Vit was found to be worthy of ordination.

After Archbishop Hanus announced that Vit was chosen for the Order of Priesthood, he led the congregation in a round of applause for the candidate.

In the homily, the archbishop recalled how last October the late Pope John Paul II invited all Catholics to observe the Year of the Eucharist and deepen their Eucharistic spirituality.

"He insisted that the Eucharist is incomplete if it does not lead to a greater concern for the poor and needy among our sisters and brothers in the world," said Archbishop Hanus. "The Eucharist and priesthood are intimately connected. Both sacraments take us back to Holy Thursday. During the Last Supper, Jesus not only gave us the Eucharist he also commanded the apostles to see that the Eucharist would continue Jesus' presence throughout history."

In Christ's words "do this in memory of me," the archbishop said Catholics see in those words, the beginnings of Holy Orders.

He mentioned that the late pope had stressed the fact that when priests offer themselves as a gift and offer themselves at the disposal of the community then their lives take on true meaning.

"The Gospel passage we heard a few minutes ago underlines this point," said Archbishop Hanus. Jesus had called Simon Peter to "feed my sheep."

Likewise, the archbishop noted, the new priest would be asked to shepherd God's loved ones and imitate Christ.

He stressed the fact that priests do not call themselves or appoint themselves. God calls men to the priesthood and with that in mind the archbishop told Vit that he should have no fear. Just as the Lord extended his hand and touched Jeremiah so he could serve as a prophet "the Holy Spirit will reach out and touch you. Through the invocation of the Holy Spirit, by the laying on of my hands and the hands of all the priests present you will be ordained a priest of Jesus Christ, relying on that grace you will be able to serve well."

As the homily drew to a close the archbishop mentioned that it was indeed a great year to be ordained a priest. It was the year in which Pope John Paul II completed his historic service as pontiff of the church, the year of the new pope, Benedict XVI; and the Year of the Eucharist.

After the Promise of the Elect, Vit prostrated before the altar during the Litany of Supplication. Following the Laying on of Hands, Archbishop Hanus offered the prayer of consecration.

"Grant, we pray, Almighty Father, to this your servant the dignity of the priesthood; renew deep within him the spirit of holiness; may he henceforth possess this office which comes from you, O God, and is next in rank to the office of Bishop; and by the example of his manner of life, may he instill right conduct," prayed the archbishop. "May he be a worthy coworker with our Order, so that by his preaching and through the grace of the Holy Spirit the words of the Gospel may bear fruit in human hearts and reach even to the ends of the earth."

Father Thomas Topf, pastor at St. Michael Parish in Kingsley, then vested the newly ordained in stole and chasuble. Once vested, the archbishop annointed the new priest's hands with Chrism.

Father Vit's parents, Bill and Becky Vit of Fort Dodge, presented the gifts of bread and wine. The ordained then went before the archbishop who presented the new priest with a paten and chalice. The Liturgy of the Eucharist followed the Kiss of Peace. Another of the new priest's classmates, Deacon Bernie Starman of the Archdiocese of Omaha, served as the deacon of the Eucharist.

The new priest's parents and three siblings were moved by the ordination.

His mother Becky described the ceremony as beautiful. She extended gratitude to those who planned the service as well as the choir from Sacred Heart Church in Spencer.

"I feel very blessed that God chose him," said Becky. "We are very happy for him and our family. We always knew this was his calling."

Knowing her son's qualities well, she acknowledged that they were not surprised that he followed the call to the priesthood. They also have the greatest confidence in his ability to minister in this way.

Awesome is how Father Vit's father described the ordination Mass.

"There were tears of joy for me," said Bill. "It was very touching. Everything has been leading up to this moment and it culminated right here. I am a very proud dad."

He pointed out that the whole family has been supportive of his son's vocation and he stressed the need for people to pray for priest vocations.

"It was much more moving that I had expected it to be," said Sarah Vit of the service. "I think my favorite part was Laying on of the Hands."

She looks forward to having her brother involved in the sacramental life of the family. Sarah is engaged and plans to have her brother officiate at her wedding next August.

Julie Vit, the priest's youngest sister, said, "It was very emotional for me. It was great to see how all of the priests came together for the ceremony."

She pointed out that through her brother's studies, he has gained a great deal of wisdom that he has shared with the family.

Father Vit's brother, Dallas, described the ceremony as overwhelming.

"It was incredible to see how many people gathered - friends and family," said Dallas, who added that he is proud to have a priest as a brother.

For the remainder of the summer Father Vit will fill in and minister at various parishes throughout the diocese. In the fall, he will return to Rome for a final year of studies.