I do...with the help of God

During the Rite of Ordination, the candidates make several promises, in which they respond "I do" except for the last promise, where the candidates responds "I do, with the help of God."

For those of you who were at Father Mark's priestly ordination last month, you may recall a memorable moment when Father Mark forgot to say "with the help of God" but after a few seconds of silence, he added on this forgotten phrase with laughter from the assembly once everyone realized he had forgotten the phrase.

I've since learned that Father Mark was counting the promises with his fingers in order to remember when to say "with the help of God" but he lost count sometime during the Rite. Thankfully, two of the Masters of Ceremony (and maybe even the bishop) whispered to Father Mark before he realized the mistake.

If you click the video below, right after Father Mark says "I do" you'll notice his fingers moving, indicating his counting. It was a good laugh (for me anyway) to re-live this moment of the rite, knowing that Father Mark was counting with his fingers, then knowing that he had lost count.

Thanks to Father Mark's sister, Mary Jane, who took this video (in addition to the other videos below.)

A suggestion I have, albeit a bit late for Father Mark, is that instead of counting with fingers, to remember a key phrase in the promise that is associated with adding "with the help of God." (i.e. "Christ the High Priest" might have been a good one to remember.) Hopefully this suggestion is not too late for future ordinands.

To view other video clips from Father Mark Kiszelewski's ordination to the priesthood and Mass of Thanksgiving, simply click here to go to Mary Jane's youtube channel for the eight additional clips.

If you watch the videos closely, you'll see some additional light-hearted moments from the Ordination Mass, like in Video # 2 at 0:24 with some good commentary about Father Mark laughing because we put a cushion for him kneeling during the Laying on of Hands, Video #4 at about 0:03 the bishop nudges Father Mark with his elbow and in Video #5 which you'll see Father Mark is a bit anxious for the recessional.

But of course, please view these videos not because of these hilarious moments or to get a good laugh, but because of the beauty within the ritual itself!

Thanks to Father Mark's brother, Matthew, for forwarding these videos to me. And lastly but most importantly, thanks to Father Mark for being a great friend to me over the past few years and for whatever other moments we can laugh about in the future! Ad multos annos, Father Mark!