On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, the Solemnity of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, six confreres of the Province of St. Joseph, Spouse of the B.V.M. in Romania were ordained to the priesthood through the imposition of the hands of the Most Reverend Iosif PĂULEȚ, Bishop of Iași, Romania. The newly ordained are Friars Gabriel BEJAN, Adrian COBZARU, Marius-Marcel DOBOȘ, Gabriel PAL, Emanuel PIȚA and Marian-Emanuel VĂTĂMĂNELU. The event was held at the Theological Institute in Roman, Romania.

Those concelebrating included Friar Damian-Gheorghe PĂTRAŞCU, the Minister Provincial and Guardian of the Sf. Francisc de Assisi Friary in Roman, the formators and professors of the Institute, and a large number of priests from the diocese and the Province.
The celebration began with a procession to an altar that had been set up outside, in front of the Institute. At the same time, the faithful, along with a choir directed by Friar Cristian DUMEA, praised the Lord through song.
In his homily, the bishop highlighted the fragility of the two Saints, Peter and Paul, as well as their willingness to do the work of the grace of Christ. The bishop also stressed the gaze between Jesus and the Apostles—an exchange of looks that also impacts today’s new priests, encouraging them to walk with confidence on their vocational path.
The central moment of the celebration was the act by which the candidates publicly expressed their decision to fulfill their duty, according to the will of Christ and the Church, under the guidance of the bishop and their legitimate Superiors, followed by the conferral of the sacrament, in accordance with the Rite of Priestly Ordination.
After Communion was distributed, one of the newly consecrated priests spoke on behalf of the rest, thanking God for the vocation they received and expressing gratitude to all those who contributed in different ways to their human, spiritual and intellectual formation.
Bishop PĂULEȚ then offered his congratulations and encouragement to the new priests, as well as to the friars of the Province of Romania for the ministry and formation they have provided young people. He also acknowledged those who were celebrating their name day on this day. The Mass concluded with the new priests giving a final blessing to all those present.
Through our father St. Francis, we wish the Lord’s blessing upon all our newly consecrated priests and a good journey in their priestly life!

The editorial staff of the Province