Father Father

Last updated on: December 9, 2006 at 10:05 pm by Fr. Dwight Longenecker

Father Father 2006-12-09T22:05:00-05:00 Fr. Dwight Longenecker

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As I prepare for ordination to the priesthood later this week the most commonly asked question is, “How is your family coping?” The reply is that the children have several questions…”What do we call you? Father Father?”

Or “Do we have to go to you for confession?” Answer, “Probably not. I’d say, ‘I think you forgot something…'”

or “When we’re on vacation could you just say Mass for us on the picnic table so we don’t have to go to church?”

Actually my wife Alison and four children are taking it all in their stride. To the kids I’m just their Dad, and they probably are not aware how very unusual our situation really is. We’ve spoken about priesthood for as long as they can remember, and we’ve been preparing for this particular step for about a year…applying for the job, discusing the possibilities of moving to America, finally getting approval, moving to South Carolina, getting the paperwork through from Rome, passing exams. The children have been informed and interested at every step of the way. Each one is involved in the ordination. They’re going to Charlotte on Monday to pick up their grandparents–who are flying in from England for the big week, and staying for Christmas.

Then on Tuesday this week, second grader Elias will be ‘ordained’ at St Mary’s School. His teacher Sr. Mary Lucy (a wonderful Nashville Dominican) is having a ‘mock ordination’ so the children can understand up close what will take place on Thursday. Elias’ hand shot up when volunteers were asked for, so he’s going to be ‘ordained’ in the second grade.

His older brother, Theodore, is in fourth grade. He’s quieter, and has been observing everything with a bemused, but shrewd eye. In the ordination service on Thursday Theo will join Elias and big sister Madeleine to bring forward my chasuble and stole and present them for the solemn vesting. Maddy seems proud that Dad is being ordained and will be the priest chaplain at her school. She’s the one most likely to stop by my office for a cheerful hello during the school day.

Benedict is the oldest. At thirteen he is being confirmed on Wednesday night. I’ll serve as deacon at the confirmation Mass, and then Ben will serve as crucifer with the altar servers for my ordination Mass the next night.

And Alison? My wife has supported my journey to the priesthood ever since the sad day in 1995 when we packed up and moved out of our beautiful English country vicarage. For nearly twelve years we waited and watched and kept on asking the church to confirm my vocation. She raged and questioned and pondered God’s mysterious ways with me every step of the way. I wanted her to take part in the service too on Thursday, but she refused. “I’m just going to sit there and enjoy the whole thing.”

I’ve put as many saints as possible into the Litany of the Saints. It’s going to be a very emotional day for all of us, and I need a long Litany because I plan to empty my tear ducts in the privacy of my prostration before the Lord. We might even have to put a special act in the ordination liturgy–The Solemn Ceremony of Drying the Sanctuary Floor…

There will be a DVD of the ordination service. For anyone who is familiar with the liturgy at St Mary’s Greenville, it will be worth getting. Watch this space for details in the future.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 8, 2006

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

Next Post

December 10, 2006 Difficulties or Doubts?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Anglican Matters Apologetics Architecture Blobble Study Book Reviews Brideshead Caitlin O'Rourke Catholic Art Catholic Culture Church Politics Chust for Nice Contemporary Culture Duane Mandible Ed Blanch Film Reviews Fr Harvey Nicolaitan Frank Viola Mantilla the Hon More Christianity Mrs Brady Catholic Old Lady Mystery of the Magi Norman Anderson Queen Hillary Saints and Supernatural Spirituality The Inklings The Vicar Theology Todd Unctuous Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz