JOLIET—Over 300 friends, relatives, peers and mentors were on-hand to celebrate the ordination of Patrick Mulcahy, 41, to the priesthood June 3 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet.

As uplifting liturgical music reverberated throughout the sanctuary, Mulcahy entered the house of worship accompanied by more than 30 priests as well as deacons and seminarians from across the Joliet Diocese. “I was really overwhelmed with emotion,” he stated, reflecting upon the experience after the celebration. He admitted that the entrance procession “just left me speechless.”

“This is one of those special days when we recognize the presence of the Lord among us as we celebrate this sacrament of ordination,” said Bishop Joseph L. Imesch in his address to the congregation.

During the formal presentation of the priestly candidate, Father John Regan, director of the Joliet diocesan Vocation Office, publicly testified to the worthiness of the seminarian for reception of the sacrament of holy orders. Following acceptance from the bishop, the people present verbally conferred their own approval.

“It’s such a pleasure for me to ordain you to the priesthood today,” said Bishop Imesch, speaking directly to Mulcahy during the Mass. In the midst of his homily, the bishop reflected on the rite of ordination. Commenting on the reference to Mulcahy’s “worthiness” to become a priest, the leader of the seven-county diocese said he took issue with the vocabulary. “That’s the wrong word. Who is worthy? There is no one here who deserves to receive the gift of priesthood.”

Talking about Mulcahy, the bishop reasoned that the seminarian had been deemed prepared by his superiors for ordination based on his skillfulness, knowledge, compassion, generosity and commitment to the service of others, but “none of us deserves what Patrick is going to receive in a few moments.” Bishop Imesch explained that priests are charged with the remarkable duties of consecrating the bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, forgiving sins, initiating infants and adults into the faith and preparing others “to see the Lord in their final moments.” The bishop underscored, “Priesthood is an awesome responsibility.”

Mulling over the fundamentals of priesthood, Bishop Imesch mentioned a recent meeting among the priests of the diocese and Bishop J. Peter Sartain, who is slated to be installed as the fourth bishop of the Joliet Diocese June 27 at the cathedral. According to Bishop Imesch, the incoming bishop has directed the clergymen to “Love your people.”

“That’s what our service is all about.” On the other hand, he said, “No priest is a ‘lone ranger.’ A priest is a member of the presbyterate. We’ve learned all too sadly what one priest does affects all of us. What one good priest does affects us all as well.”

Before concluding his remarks, Bishop Imesch thanked the candidate’s family members, colleagues, mentors and friends. “No one comes here by himself,” he said. The bishop also took the opportunity to salute Father Regan for his 13 years of service as director of the Vocation Office. The clergyman has been assigned to take over at the helm of St. Walter Parish in Roselle.

The bishop also spotlighted the other concelebrants at the ordination, including Father Bradley Baker, administrator of the Cathedral of St. Raymond, Father Joseph Tapella, judicial vicar for the diocese, Father Joseph Noonan, associate dean of formation at University of St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary, where Mulcahy participated in priestly studies, and retired Auxiliary Bishop Roger L. Kaffer.

Applauding the diocesan priests present for the ordination, Bishop Imesch said, “I’m thankful to them for the ministry they carry on.” The bishop also recognized members of the Serra Club of DuPage County, who promote vocations through prayer and enrichment activities.

The ordination continued as the candidate formally promised to fulfill priestly duties. Bishop Imesch then asked the seminarian for a promise of obedience to him and his successors. As the litany of saints echoed in song throughout the house of worship, the candidate moved to the marble floor, lying prostrate near the foot of the altar. Next came the laying on of hands. The assembled clergymen walked single-file before the kneeling Mulcahy, placing their hands on his head; each offered a silent prayer.

After Bishop Imesch recited the Prayer of Ordination, mentors of the newly ordained vested him with a stole and chasuble. Reflecting afterward on the ordination ceremony, the new priest said the vesting was “perhaps the most moving moment for me. … When the diaconal stole was removed and the presbyteral stole put on, I almost literally felt the (Holy Spirit) vesting me. At that point, the fact that I was now a priest of Jesus Christ was very real and I was once again overwhelmed.”

Bishop Imesch then anointed the new priest’s palms with holy chrism, representing the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The church leader eventually presented him with a paten and chalice. The ordination rite concluded with the fraternal kiss of peace, in which all the priests present came forward again, sharing a gesture of peace with the newly ordained.

Stepping away from his place among the congregation, Father Patrick Mulcahy ultimately joined the bishops and his fellow priests on the altar to concelebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

After the Mass, Julia Mulcahy wiped away tears. Speaking of her son’s ordination ceremony, the devoted mother said, “It was just enormous. He worked so hard for it. He’ll be a very good priest.” Delighted by his son’s prospects as a shepherd of the faith, Patrick Mulcahy Sr. said, “We’re really proud of him.” The family’s patriarch explained that his son had worked in the corporate world and parish youth ministry before he found a path that led him to discern his priestly call. “He finally made the right decision.” Reflecting on the ordination, he added, “This is a special day for our family. I’ll never forget it.”

Indeed, Mulcahy’s journey on the road to priesthood had many twists and turns. Following graduation from then-Illinois Benedictine College in 1986, his original plan was to pursue the priesthood but reversed his decision at the last minute and opted not to proceed with seminary studies at that time.

Father Michael O’Keefe, pastor emeritus at Father Mulcahy’s home faith community, St. Petronille Parish in Glen Ellyn, took time to encourage him to reconsider the idea of priesthood.

“He’s a very competent man. He’ll make a wonderful priest,” said the senior clergyman after the ordination. “He was open to the call. I’m very proud of him.”

Utilizing his liturgical knowledge, prayerful devotion, musical talents and administrative skills, Father Mulcahy is expected to begin priestly ministry as parochial vicar at St. Raphael Parish in Naperville.