Fr. Bede's Ordination

​We are pleased to announce that Friar Bede Thigpen has been ordained a priest! The celebration took place at Saint Ita church on Saturday, November 11. Mass was celebrated by the Most Reverend William Patrick Callahan, Bishop of Lacrosse and fellow Franciscan, who had previously ordained Friar Bede a deacon. Parishioners volunteered to sing in the choir and the Secular Franciscans prepared Jubilee Hall for the following reception.

​Fr. Bede, you are in our prayers as you begin this new phase of your life.

“O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear our humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Father Bede. Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope, and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life.
In his loneliness, comfort him.
In his sorrows, strengthen him.
In his frustrations, show him that he is needed by the Church, he is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption.
And remind him that he is a servant to the people of God and to carry himself with humility as you yourself did.

O loving Mother Mary, take to your heart your son Fr. Bede who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because of the power which he has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much.
Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength, and especially help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.

​Amen.”

The Ceremony

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The Reception

Photos courtesy: Wesley Kinard, Friar Chris Garcia, & Fr. Alejandro Lopez