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June 6, 1999
New priest ordained at Holy Trinity CathedralBy KREMENA TODOROVA Journal Staff Writer NEW ULM -- Following a centuries-old tradition, Todd Petersen, a Wabasso native and recent seminary graduate, on Saturday was ordained to the Order of the Presbyterate. The special mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity was attended by 45-50 priests, including some of Petersen's classmates, and about a dozen pastoral administrators from different parts of the Diocese of New Ulm, said the Rev. Dennis Labat, the Diocese Vicar General. About two-thirds of the Diocese's priests and half the pastoral administrators were present, Labat said. "We are very happy, very proud of him," he stressed. "We also appreciate the warm welcome from the community." Petersen was ordained by Bishop Frederick Campbell of the Diocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, one of his teachers at the seminary. Bishop Raymond Lucker of New Ulm is recovering from cancer surgery and could not attend. Petersen, who will serve as associate pastor at Holy Trinity, was educated at the University of Minnesota at Morris, the University of St. Thomas and St. Paul's Seminary's School of Divinity. He graduated as a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology, with a focus on Scripture. "It was just amazing -- very powerful," Petersen said of his ordination. "Whatever fears I might have had, just went away." In a brief interview, he recalled his switch from a pre-medical major to theology, motivated by "a drive" to study the Scriptures and a growing interest in the spiritual life of others. The decision to be a priest was natural and brought "a strong positive feel," he said. "I knew that being a priest is right." He also credited his mother and step father, Rose and Terry Nelson of Spicer, with their "phenomenal" support. To Labat, the ceremony highlighted a growing appreciation of priesthood and spirituality, as the Diocese confronts a persistent shortage of priests. "The appreciation of priesthood is improving," he said. "Last year, the number of people we sent to seminary was up." Labat also stressed that a new program which encourages parishioners to suggest persons suitable for the priesthood and other efforts have started to bear fruit, as the Catholic Church nationwide rebuilds trust after priest misconduct cases in the past. "There's a real genuine openness among teens and young adults to spirituality. They are thinking about [service] in some capacity." Beside the more usual elements of mass, Saturday's service included the special Rite of Ordination. This time-sanctioned ritual starts with calling the candidate by name and his presentation. Next he is elected by the Bishop, with the people's consent. Through a series of questions, the candidate expresses his desire to accept presbyteral ministry, then kneels and places his joined hands between those of the Bishop in a promise of obedience. Next come the Prayer of the Church and "the laying on of hands", a gesture that expresses the outpouring of the Spirit. Following ancient tradition, the Bishop and priests impose hands on the candidate. By the Prayer of Consecration, the Bishop completes the ordination; the candidate is "invested with stole and chasuble"; and the Bishop anoints his hands with Sacred Chrism. Next, the people's gifts are brought forward and presented; and the Bishop and priests embrace the newly ordained as a sign of peace.
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