BELMONT — Benedictine Father James Raber was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Michael Martin, OFM Conv., in a special standing-room-only Mass at Mary, Help of Christians Basilica on Saturday.
The ordination Mass was a visible sign of the close connection between the Benedictine monastic community and the Diocese of Charlotte – with the monks of Belmont Abbey, priests and seminarians of the diocese, the Belmont Abbey College community, local Sisters of Mercy and other religious coming together with friends and family of the new priest for the celebration.
Bishop Martin called the gathering “an iconic moment” in which “to witness God’s grace at work.”
Father Raber’s ordination comes 10 years after he entered Belmont Abbey to discern a religious vocation following seven years of service in the U.S. Merchant Marine. The former navigator entered Belmont Abbey in 2014 and professed final vows as a Benedictine monk in 2018.
Father Raber will serve as campus chaplain at Belmont Abbey College, ministering to students and fostering the faith on campus.
EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE AND PRAYER
In a homily directed to the Benedictine monk, Bishop Martin – himself a religious order priest – reflected on the two themes of the Rule of St. Benedict (a set of precepts written by the founder of the Benedictine order that govern the lives of its monks): obedience and prayer.
“Those two foundational pillars in your life, James, come to a unique moment now in your ordination as a priest,” Bishop Martin said. “What should that look like as you go forth from here today as a priest of Jesus Christ?”
The readings for the ordination Mass offer an answer, he said.
The first reading from the Book of Numbers (Chapter 11) explains that God calls certain people to ministry in the community. In the second reading, St. Paul tells the Corinthians that ministers should preach about Jesus Christ, despite being only “earthen vessels.” In the Gospel reading from John, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and His sheep know Him.
“God has called you, James, as a Benedictine to also serve the Church as a priest,” Bishop Martin said.
“As a religious myself in a community of brothers and priests,” Bishop Martin said, he is often asked why some religious orders have both types of members.
A religious order priest is not a member who has gone “all the way” or is “somehow better than” the brothers in that community, he said. Rather, “you as a Benedictine priest are called to an accountability that’s even greater than the rest of your Benedictine brothers. It’s not a greater status, it’s an accountability to live more publicly what you profess as a Benedictine.”
That means following St. Paul’s advice to preach about Jesus, not oneself. “It is Christ Jesus whom you are about. Nothing more, nothing less,” Bishop Martin said.
“That reality is powerful, that reality is exciting, and that reality is overwhelming,” the bishop acknowledged, especially for anyone chosen for the priesthood.
“I find your story remarkable, how and what has brought you to this today in this moment,” the bishop continued. It’s “a beautiful example of how God wants to make His Son Jesus known through this guy, this merchant marine turned monk, now ministering on a college campus bringing the Good News, bringing the two pillars of Benedictine life that the world can’t understand and does not promote: obedience and prayer.”
He told the new priest, “You can show how Jesus’ life gets made manifest in lots of different ways, and we glory in that difference.”
St. Paul’s description of ministers as “earthen vessels” is apt for Father Raber, the bishop also noted. “Vessel” can mean a ship, and the Church is also often described as a ship.
“Your maritime history brings together these two worlds – of the ship that is the Church, this vessel that is afloat in the world, but it’s broken, it’s earthen, it crumbles at times,” he said.
Humility means admitting that we are weak without the strength of Christ, he said, and that “calls us to obedience and prayer.”
Father Raber is called to serve as a humble presence of Jesus to others, especially students, following the example of the Good Shepherd.
“You are to be in their midst as their shepherd,” Bishop Martin said, “to know and to be known,” rooted “in the life of obedience and prayer that allows you to be about His work.”
“That’s what shepherding is all about,” he said. “It’s not about you. It’s about a greater relationship, which is made manifest sacramentally as a priest.”
— Catholic News Herald. Photos by Rolando Rivas.
READ MORE
Robert Raber came to Belmont Abbey in 2014 to discern a religious vocation. Read more about his journey.
