His face was radiating pure joy. He is now Deacon Matthew Kelly, having been ordained last Saturday to the transitional diaconate and one step closer to becoming a priest for the Richmond diocese.

Growing up in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, with a seminary just outside the city limits, one could think that having seminarians at my parish would be a common occurrence. Maybe there was one assigned to St. Matthew’s during the 20+ years I grew up there, but I can’t recall. Nor can I remember if there was one assigned at the last parish I belonged to, St. Isaac Jogues, where I was a member for about the same amount of time. In the summer of 2022, then seminarian Matthew Kelly came to Our Lady of Lourdes to spend the year learning what it means to be a parish staff member. His background included studies in music, which he put to full use bringing to life Latin chants and sequences that brought a touch of divine sound to various liturgies and prayer gatherings. He often led us in the weekly vesper service during Eucharistic Adoration. No matter with whom I spoke, we all had the same outlook: Matthew was going to make a wonderful priest and we would miss him when his year of service was up.

During my time in Pennsylvania, most of the encounters I had with seminarians were when they would visit to make an appeal for funding their studies. Since their career would be dedicated to the Church, it only makes sense to support them in becoming the priests we need. For me it was interesting to see Matthew naturally becoming part of the parish family, just like Fr. Jonathan, Fr. Santos, and Fr. Rafael. I wish every parish could experience this on a regular basis! It seems that the parish family made a mark on Matthew’s heart as much as he did on ours. Over the past year he would often visit and assist in holy day Masses. It was nice to have him back “in the family” even if it was just for a short time. 

Ordinations are conducted at Richmond’s Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. With Our Lady of Lourdes 15 minutes away, it was the perfect place to hold a reception afterwards in his honor as well as for him to proclaim the Gospel for the first time and give the homily at the Saturday Vigil Mass. While I’m not sure how the suggestion of vespers prior to Mass surfaced, it was Deacon Matthew who led us in prayer and song. While I couldn’t attend the reception, I did attend both vespers and the vigil Mass. When I first saw him at adoration, JOY was what came to mind. It was pure, radiant joy. He didn’t say anything as he walked down the aisle, but the essence of his being sang out with indescribable joy. I realized shortly thereafter, that this would be the first time that he would actually be able to bless us with the exposed Eucharist. What an amazing blessing, to be part of the community to receive a newly ordained deacon in his first Eucharistic blessing! I had a hard time keeping my eyes dry at that thought.

I was not the only one who thought the blessing of the newly ordained is an extraordinary occurrence. At the conclusion of Mass, Fr. Jonathan asked Deacon Matthew to give his first blessing to the congregation. Two first blessings in one day! I am humbled that I was able to be a recipient of both. I think I received some of his joy, as the rest of the weekend was just lovely; nothing spectacular, but just a lovely time. And that’s what being a Catholic is all about — living life with joy so that you can spread it to others. Yes, we will have times of difficulties, known as crosses, but with the assistance of God, His angels, and His saints we can carry them and still live a joy-filled life.

While I know it’s important to pray for vocations as well as for those who are ordained, seeing Matthew first as a seminarian and now as a deacon has impressed upon me the need to pray for these men, whether we know their names or not. By praying and offering up sacrifices for them, we can participate in the graces they receive and share in their joy. It may be a bit selfish of me to hope for this, but perhaps in another year when Matthew is ordained as a priest, he’ll celebrate his first Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes. I’ll leave that prayer intention with  Blessed Mother Mary.