Towards the end of his life, it is said that Saint Francis Caracciolo, co-founder of the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers), again encouraged his followers to have a great respect for the Eucharist. He emphasized that his priests should make every effort to celebrate Mass each day. According to the charism of the Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers), members of the Adorno Fathers are to take part in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, and we are called to assimilate ourselves into Christ, so as to offer ourselves in a spiritual sacrifice to God for the salvation of our brothers and sisters.
On the feast day of Saint Francis Caracciolo, the Adorno Fathers of the USA-Philippines Delegation had the joy of celebrating the priestly ordination of two confreres, Father Giovannie Nunez, CRM and Father Noly Berjuega, CRM. Following in the footsteps of Jesus and esteeming the example of Saint Francis Caracciolo, these young men responded “yes” to the call of the Lord as priests of the Clerics Regular Minor. Their ordination guarantees that the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist will still be in our midst.
The community of Saint Joseph in Lodi was very much involved with the preparations for the orientation. A special moment took place on Friday, June 3, 2011, beginning at 7:30 pm with a Eucharistic Holy Hour for vocations. During this time of prayer, we implored our Eucharistic Lord to bestow his graces upon Father Giovannie and Father Noly and we asked also for vocations for our religious family of the Adorno Fathers and for the Church in general. The time of adoration concluded with a prayer in honor of Saint Francis Caracciolo.
On Saturday, June 4, a great celebration took place. The ordination ceremony began at the 6:00 pm Mass and the church was full for the celebration. We were honored to have in our midst our Father General, Very Reverend Raffaele Mandolesi, CRM. He, in a certain way, guaranteed the presence of Saint Francis Caracciolo by virtue of his office. Father Nicholas Capetola, CRM came from our parish of Immaculate Conception in Goose Creek, South Carolina and Father Frank Palmieri, CRM and Father Teodoro Kalaw, CRM came together from the parish of Jesus Our Risen Savior in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Father Jason Caganap, CRM came also from the community of the Adorno Fathers in Vinzons in the Philippines. There were also confreres from the Adorno Fathers in Ramsey and numerous priests from around the area.
Particularly significant was the great number of the faithful who participated. Besides the parishioners of Saint Joseph in Lodi and the Friends of the Adorno Fathers in Ramsey, a contingent of people also came from South Carolina. A full bus of parishioners both from Immaculate Conception, where Father Noly served as a deacon, and many parishioners from Jesus Our Risen Savior, where Father Giovannie served as a deacon, also attended. Their presence was a sign of solidarity and joy for everyone. Finally, from southern New Jersey, a notable group of Hospitaliter Sisters of Mercy also participated in the ordination. The eldest sister of Father Giovannie, Sister Norma Nunez, is the superior of Our Lady’s residence nursing home in Pleasantville, New Jersey.
The bishop, his Excellency Most Reverend John W. Flesey, officiated at the priestly ordination and spoke eloquently about the identity of the priest. He encouraged the young priests to always be available to people in their new life. The Mass that was celebrated for the ordination was that of the seventh Sunday of Easter. (In New Jersey, the Ascension is still celebrated on a Thursday.) The section of the Gospel that was read was John 17 and the verses consisted of the priestly prayer of Jesus and a beautiful reflection followed from it. At the end of the Mass, Father Raffaele spoke to the people. He noted that in the spirit of Saint Francis Caracciolo, the newly ordained should be open to and generous in following the example of Saint Francis Caracciolo through prayer and service.
After the ordination, the new priests greeted the faithful and gave their first priestly blessings. It was very moving to see the faithful kissing the consecrated palms of the new priests’ hands.
Following the liturgy, in the hall of our school, a buffet dinner was served for all who participated in the ordination. It was organized by the Parish Life committee of Saint Joseph and the Association of Saint Francis Caracciolo. The celebration, gathering of people, and the joy that everyone felt was a blessing for all.
The following day, Father Noly celebrated his first Mass at 10:30 am and Father Giovannie celebrated his Mass at 12 noon in Saint Joseph, Lodi. For their first Masses, the newly ordained priests dressed in the chasubles that Father General brought from Rome. Many priests concelebrated and Father Nicholas Capetola preached at Father Noly’s Mass and Father Frank Palmieri preached at Father Giovannie’s. Father Nicholas underlined, in his homily, the priest as a man of God and Father Frank spoke on the journey of one’s vocation and how Father Giovannie responded “yes” to the Lord.
At the end of each Mass, the new priests spoke to the faithful and thanked them for their prayers, kindness and support. They reemphasized their love for the Order and the hope that they would serve faithfully by following the example of Saint Francis Caracciolo.