By Roxanne King
The Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Conrad celebrated two priesthood ordinations in June and one in May. The 2024 priesthood ordination class is the province’s largest since its 1977 inception.
Capuchin Brothers Vincent Mary “Vinny” Carrasco and Luke Jordan were ordained priests on June 15 by Cardinal Sean O’Malley, OFM Cap., at Annunciation Church in Denver. Capuchin Brother Jordan Rojas was ordained a priest by Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller on May 18 at St. Mark the Evangelist Church in San Antonio.
“Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose these, our brothers for the order of priesthood,” the prelates said electing the friars for ordination and drawing affirming applause from the assemblies at the start of the ordination rites at both liturgies.
The two ordination Masses shared the same Gospel: the resurrection appearance of Jesus where he asks Peter three times if he loves him, giving Peter the chance to counteract his earlier threefold denial of Christ (Jn 21:15-17).
“Each time Peter responds with an affirmation of his love and it’s like a crescendo,” Archbishop Gustavo said in his homily. “And Jesus, also in crescendo, entrusts him with the sacred duty of shepherding his flock.”
“Peter’s identification with the Good Shepherd must prepare him to make his own the words of Jesus—I lay down my life for my sheep,” Cardinal Sean noted in his homily. “Jesus is teaching us that all ministry is about love—about laying down one’s life for love of all—and it is formed out of a deep relationship with the Risen Lord.”
After the homily, the elect stood before the prelates and promised to faithfully observe the duties of the priesthood. Then each knelt before the prelate and promised obedience and respect to their bishop and legitimate superiors.
The elect then lay prostrate on the floor as a sign of their submission to God while the assemblies prayed the litany of saints for them.
Rising, in turn, each candidate then knelt before the prelate who silently prayed while placing his hands on the head of the ordinand, invoking the Holy Spirit and setting the candidate apart for priestly ministry. All vested priests, in turn, then did the same. The prelate then prayed the prayer of ordination over the elect. All present affirmed the sacred action responding, “Amen.”
The newly ordained were then invested with a stole and chasuble, signs of the priestly office, before kneeling before the prelate who anointed their hands with chrism. After the presentation of the gifts, the newly ordained knelt before the prelate to receive a prepared paten and chalice.
The prelate then gave the fraternal kiss to each of the new priests; other priests then did the same, welcoming them into the priesthood. The new priests then took their place at the altar for the rest of the Mass.
“I’m happy and overjoyed to be among the priesthood of Melchizedek,” Father Vinny, 33, said right after his ordination. “I’m excited to walk with the people … hearing confessions, saying Mass, providing people with Jesus Christ present—body, blood soul and divinity. I’m super excited about that.”
Born in Hereford, Texas, to Rodolfo and Suzanne Carrasco, Father Vinny graduated from Oklahoma’s St. Gregory University with a bachelor’s degree in theology before entering Capuchin postulancy in 2015. He is a talented singer-songwriter who, among other ministries, shared his musicianship with parishes and youth groups and has original Christian music on streaming platforms. His first priestly assignment is as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Colorado Springs.
“This is a beautiful experience and I’m excited about the opportunity to serve the Lord more deeply and to be more conformed to Jesus,” Father Luke, 30, said following his ordination.
From Fort Collins, Colo., the son of Gregory and Anne Jordan, Father Luke is an award-winning artist who studied theology, art and youth ministry at Benedictine College in Kansas before becoming a Capuchin postulant in 2014. His ministries have included serving the homeless, elderly and youths. He will serve as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Angels Parish in San Antonio.
“Being a priest is a profound and humbling experience,” Father Jordan, 51, said shortly after his ordination. “Every day I am reminded of the immense responsibility and privilege it is to serve God’s people. It feels incredibly fulfilling to be able to celebrate the Eucharist, to provide comfort and guidance, and to witness the faith and resilience of the community.”
Father Jordan was born in Brewster County, Texas, to Jesse and Frances Rojas. Prior to entering Capuchin postulancy in 2012, he studied criminal justice and computer science and was a project manager for Dell Inc. His ministry has included service to the elderly, to inmates and hospital chaplaincy. He will serve in Lawrence, Kan., as parochial vicar at St. John the Evangelist Parish and as chaplain at the Catholic Campus Center – Haskell Indian Nations University.
