More Than 30 Seminarians Take Part in Cassock and Tonsure Ceremonies
On the morning of February 2nd, H.E Bishop Tissier de Mallerais celebrated a Pontifical High Mass during which 17 seminarians received the cassock and another 20 received the clerical tonsure.
Following the blessing of candles and the Candlemas procession, Bp. Tissier offered words of congratulations and encouragement to those about to make their first steps towards the Holy Priesthood. To those receiving the cassock, he expounded upon the importance of proudly and publicly proclaiming their Catholic faith by the wearing of the cassock: “When people see the cassock they see a priest, they see Jesus Christ!”
To those who were soon to receive the Tonsure, His Excellency reminded them of the sacrifice and offering of themselves which the Church accepts and affirms by the ceremony of the Tonsure. “The seminarian before the ceremony is not a cleric, but after it he is one and is welcomed into the hierarchy of the Church.”
Please join us in offering prayers for these seminarians, that as they make these first steps towards the altar, they might become ever more closely united to Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest.