Thursday evening, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of the United States and patroness of the IVE USA Province, eight IVE seminarians received minor order. Mass was presided by His Excellency, Bishop Barry Knestout, who stressed in his homily the importance in taking up the office it which they had been raised to, to develop an authentic love for the Word of God and to always be disposed for the service of the Church and her members, embracing the cross in a spirit of sacrifice.
Of the eight seminarians of the Ven. Fulton Sheen House of Formation, one was raised to the order of acolyte, Sem. Cecilio Hernandez, and seven to the order of lector, seminarians Jaime Abundiz, Edgar Pucha, Robert Gurrola, Andy Kmetz, Todd Levitas, Kevin Stolt and David Garcia.
Mass was held at St. John Baptist de LaSalle parish, where many local parishioner, family members and invited guest came to offer their prayers and moral support to those receiving minor orders. Following the Mass, a reception was held at the parish hall, an appropriate festal gathering in honor of the Immaculate Conception and congratulating these eight seminarians.