Ordination & the Litany of the Saints

Prayer of the Saints: A Short Tale About an Ordination & the Litany of the Saints

Event: Ordination of a Priest

Moment: Litany of the Saints

The moment has arrived. As you lie prostrate before the altar, your hands beneath your head are cold against the floor, the world fades, and an overwhelming sense of peace surrounds you. Then the chant begins, first taken up by the choir and then the congregation; the slow progression of solemnity has begun.

The Litany of the Saints rises like a sweet-sounding tide, each name echoing through the sacred space, their prayers intertwining with your very soul. You feel their presence, guiding and uplifting you, a tapestry of holiness woven through the air. In this vulnerable moment, your heart opens wide to the call of the divine, affirming your commitment to a life of service. The beauty of their intercession anchors you, preparing you for the sacred journey ahead, where grace meets your every step.

In that most perfect of moments, in the time it takes for the sanctuary bell to chime, the veil parts and for that singular moment you glimpse the celestial realm itself. The saints are chanting, mixing with the sound of the congregation, a symphony of love warms every part of you. Like a perfect moment in time, frozen in the beat of a hummingbirds heart, the gaze of the Heavenly Father meets yours and He smiles into your very heart and soul.

Then, with complete clarity of understanding, you truly understand the phrase ‘the power of prayer.’

++ Felix Gibbins