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‘The grace of the saving passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is to be communicated to the faithful through your priestly ministry.’ — Bishop Peter Jugis

Bishop Peter Jugis (center) kneels during the Litany of Supplication as the Litany of the Saints is chanted during the rite of ordination of Father Juan Miguel Sanchez and Father Joseph Wasswa. The two were ordained to the priesthood June 19 during a two-hour Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL, AMY BURGER AND JAMES SARKIS

One faith, one diverse family united in Christ

Sanchez and Wasswa ordained to the priesthood

SUEANN HOWELL AND KIMBERLY BENDER CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

HUNTERSVILLE — Unity amid diversity in the Diocese of Charlotte is on full display as two men originally from Mexico and Uganda begin lives as its newest priests.

Bishop Peter Jugis, himself a native of Charlotte, ordained Father Juan Miguel Sanchez and Father Joseph Wasswa in a joyful Mass June 19. The two relative newcomers to western North Carolina join the ranks of 154 priests – more than a third of whom are men of color – in the diocese, which encompasses more than 515,000 Catholics.

The newly ordained priests expressed deep gratitude to those who helped them reach this most sacred of moments, as Father Sanchez joins Charlotte’s St. Matthew Church to serve as parochial vicar and Father Wasswa assumes the same position at Our Lady of Grace Church in Greensboro.

“I will always be grateful to all the people who made my priesthood possible,” Father Sanchez told the Catholic News Herald. “I am looking forward to serving in the Diocese of Charlotte and to grow together in the love of God and neighbor.”

Growing up in a different culture, Father Wasswa said, broadened his outlook and made him appreciate the universality of the Catholic faith – perspectives that will help him in his ministry here.

“I can sort out commonalities and differences, then try to trace that one thing that unites us – our faith,” he said, “There are things in the faith that apply to all cultures. This is one family, no matter where we are.”

With most pandemic restrictions now lifted, St. Mark Church in Huntersville was filled to capacity June 19 with families, friends, clergy and religious attending the two-hour ordination Mass. Attendees included Father Sanchez’s parents and 13 of his 14 siblings from Mexico. Close friends from Father Wasswa’s adopted parish in Salisbury came to offer their support since his family was unable to travel from Uganda.

At the start of the Mass, both men were presented for ordination by Father Christopher Gober, diocesan vocations director: “Most Reverend Father, Holy Mother Church asks you to ordain these, our brothers, to the responsibility of the priesthood.”

The congregation erupted in loud applause when Bishop Jugis formally accepted them for the order of the priesthood.

Both men had a long, circuitous journey to bring them to this moment. Father Sanchez’s earliest years in Mexico were spent on a small-town farm before moving with his parents and siblings to the city of Guadalajara. He came to the United States at 20 and went to work in construction with his older brothers. Despite his lack of a high school diploma, he was encouraged by Father Julio Dominguez to pursue his studies. He earned his high school equivalency diploma before entering formation at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Ohio. He then joined the few diocesan seminarians selected to study theology at the Pontifical North American College in Rome.

Father Wasswa, one of eight children, came to North Carolina in 2015 to explore a religious vocation to the Benedictine order. He entered the novitiate at Belmont Abbey, but during his time there he discerned a different path as a diocesan priest. He said he simply fell in love with the diocese and its people, and decided to continue his studies for the priesthood here rather than in Uganda. He had already studied for a time at Katigongo National Major Seminary in Masaka, Uganda, before coming to the U.S., so in 2016 he went on to complete his formation at the

More online

At www.catholicnewsherald.com: See video highlights, Bishop Jugis’ complete homily, and lots more photos from the June 19 ordination Mass

(Above, clockwise) Bishop Jugis invokes the Holy Spirit as he prays over Father Sanchez and Father Wasswa during the ordination rite. The two men lay prostrate at the base of the steps of the sanctuary during the ordination Mass at St. Mark Church in Huntersville.

(Below) Each man approaches Bishop Jugis to have their hands anointed with sacred chrism and wrapped with a cloth called a maniturgia.

CHRIST

FROM PAGE 12

Pontifical College Josephinum.

In his homily at their ordination, Bishop Jugis reflected on the two men answering the call to become priests.

“Dear brothers, Deacon Juan Miguel Sanchez and Deacon Joseph Wasswa, the Lord has called you: ‘Come follow me’ – and you have followed that call by prayerfully and conscientiously preparing yourselves through the years of formation. We have chosen you today for the sacred order of the priesthood.”

“The Lord draws near to us today to consecrate these two men with the grace of the priesthood. They are conformed to Jesus Christ, the High Priest, through the action of the Holy Spirit, and become true priests of the new covenant of salvation,” he said.

The bishop told them: “The grace of the saving passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is to be communicated to the faithful through your priestly ministry.”

He continued, “Your whole being is anointed by the Holy Spirit through this sacrament, with the indelible spiritual character configuring you to Christ the High Priest. What an anointing you receive as Christ’s priests!”

Bishop Jugis also entreated the new priests to promote unity and peace in their ministry, following Jesus the Good Shepherd as their model.

“St. Paul writes, strive to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. One body and one Spirit, as you are also called to the one hope of your call: one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

After the homily, Bishop Jugis asked the men a series of questions to express their willingness to be ordained priests and fulfill the responsibilities that come with ministry. Then, one at a time, the men approached the bishop, placing their hands in his to signify obedience to him and to the Church.

The Litany of Supplication followed, during which the men lay prostrate before the altar as Bishop Jugis and everyone gathered at the Mass knelt in prayer and the Litany of the Saints was chanted.

Then they arose and approached the bishop, who laid his hands on their heads. During this most solemn moment of the ordination rite, Bishop Jugis prayed silently over them for the Holy Spirit to descend upon them.

The diversity of the universal Church was evident as dozens of priests of the diocese – some originally from Africa, Asia, India, and Central and South America – then took their turn invoking the Holy Spirit and laying hands on the two men.

During the vesting portion of the ordination rite, the men were vested by people who played meaningful roles in their journey to the priesthood. Father Sanchez was vested by Father Dominguez, his former pastor and now vicar of Hispanic Ministry for the diocese. Father Wasswa was vested by Benedictine Abbot Placid Solari of Belmont Abbey, who guided him in discerning his priestly vocation.

During Communion each of the newly ordained priests was able to offer the Eucharist, which they consecrated along with Bishop Jugis and the other priests present, to their friends and loved ones.

“I am very grateful for the wonderful support and prayers I have received from the people of this diocese throughout my seminary formation,” Father Wasswa said. “I look forward to serving the people of this diocese faithfully and to help them on our way to heaven.”

Dozens of priests take their turn praying over Father Sanchez and Father Wasswa during the ordination rite.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL, AMY BURGER AND JAMES SARKIS

(Above and right, clockwise) Father Wasswa, Bishop Jugis and Father Sanchez consecrate the Eucharist. Father Julio Dominguez congratulates Father Sanchez after vesting him. Father Alfonso Gamez gives the sign of peace to Father Wasswa. Priests pray over both men during the Mass.

(Top) Distributing Holy Communion and imparting first blessings is a cherished moment for the newly ordained priests. Father Wasswa blesses Bishop Jugis. (Above) Father Sanchez gives a blessing to his father and mother.

First Masses

Newly ordained Father Joseph Wasswa offered a Mass of Thanksgiving June 20 at his home parish, Sacred Heart Church in Salisbury. Father John Eckert, pastor, served as homilist. Pictured with Father Wasswa are (from left): Father Britt Taylor, Father Jonathan Howell (from the Diocese of Birmingham, Ala.), Father Casey Coleman, Deacon Darren Balkey, Deacon Aaron Huber, Father Lucas Rossi, Father John Eckert and Deacon James Mazur.

PHOTOS BY SUEANN HOWELL | CATHOLIC NEWS HERALD

Father Juan Miguel Sanchez (center) elevates the Eucharist at a Mass of Thanksgiving June 20 at St. Matthew Church in Charlotte. Diocesan clergy present included Father Benjamin Roberts, Father Julio Dominguez, Father John Allen, Father Jacob Mlakar, Deacon Darren Balkey, Deacon Aaron Huber and Father Alfonso Gamez.