Text and photos by Claire Phillips, Una Voce Canada, Vancouver, British Columbia
On May 31, 2019, my husband, Keith, and I were privileged to attend the ordination of a dear friend and spiritual son. Reverend Father Luc Poirier was introduced to us during an ordination that we attended in 2017. It was a chance meeting that was the start of a wonderful relationship. We watched this young man grow and mature into a deacon and finally a priest.
The ordination was held in Ottawa rather than Nebraska since Deacon Poirier comes from a large family in Moncton, New Brunswick, and he wanted as many as possible to be able to attend the ceremony. Ten out of his eleven siblings were able to come!
The ceremony began with Deacon Poirier, followed by the sacred ministers, processing down the aisle of Ottawa’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, a minor basilica in the neoclassical Gothic style and a most majestic structure, so fitting for the ordination in the Traditional Rite.
Following the Kyrie, Gloria, Collect, Epistle, and Alleluia, the ordaining bishop, the Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, Archbishop of Ottawa, gave his sermon. He welcomed the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and Deacon Poirier’s parents, relatives, friends, and benefactors. He spoke of the Good Shepherd and the vine and the branches. He stated that we follow Jesus out of love, His selfless love perfected on the Cross. There is joy in following Jesus in friendship, the joy of Christ is contagious, so we must spread it. He spoke of Pentecost and the Spirit that would come upon Luc in his priesthood. He spoke of Our Lady the Queen of Heaven and of Priests. Archbishop Prendergast prayed that Deacon Poirier would look to the Virgin Mary for strength, comfort, and joy in Christ’s service.
As the Bishop spoke, Deacon Poirier listened intently, holding a candle while kneeling, dressed in a white alb with his chasuble over his arm.
After the sermon, the Assistant Priest called Deacon Poirier forward to be presented to the Bishop. Upon being called, Deacon Poirier responded, “Adsum (Present).” The Bishop asked if the candidate was known to be worthy, to which the Assistant Priest answered in the affirmative. The Bishop then addressed the clergy and the people before pausing and addressing Deacon Poirier directly.
After the address Deacon Poirier prostrated himself before the altar as the Litany of the Saints was intoned. This was a most moving moment for all, manifesting the humble submission of the soon to be ordained. The Agnus Dei followed, and then the Bishop laid his hands upon the head of Deacon Poirier, who knelt before him. This imposition of the hands by the Bishop constitutes the matter of the Sacrament of Ordination. All priests present did likewise. Deacon Poirier was now a Priest – Fr. Poirier!
The Bishop pronounced the form of the sacrament:
“Grant, we beseech Thee, Almighty Father, to this Thy servant, the dignity of the priesthood; renew within him the spirit of holiness, that he may keep Thy rank in Thy service which he has received from Thee, and by his conduct may afford a pattern of holy living.”
The Bishop then chanted the Preface and, sitting, brought the deacon’s stole over the right shoulder and crossed it over the breast saying: “Take thou the yoke of the Lord, for His yoke is sweet and His burden light.” Next, he vested Fr. Poirier with the chasuble, which remained folded at the back, saying: “Take thou the priestly vestment whereby charity is signified, for God is well able to give thee an increase of charity and its perfect works.”
The Veni Creator Spiritus was intoned after a blessing while all knelt. The anointing of the new priest’s hands followed. Other prayers were said, followed by the Gospel, Credo, and Offertory. The Bishop now received the newly ordained priest’s candle. Fr. Poirier knelt and presented the candle to the Bishop, kissing his ring as he did so. Then, with Fr. Joseph Lee, his Assistant Priest, Fr. Poirier returned to the Sanctuary to kneel with the text of the Mass in front of them. The newly ordained priest, and only he, concelebrated the Mass with the Bishop.
The Canon was beautiful, with sacred music where appropriate. Fr. Poirier received Holy Communion from the Bishop, and the clergy and the faithful received Holy Communion in their turn. After Communion, the Bishop received the profession of faith and promise of obedience from Fr. Poirier, and unfolded the chasuble, which Father had been wearing folded on his shoulders.
After the Te Deum with which the ceremony ended, Fr. Poirier gave a blessing to Archbishop Prendergast and also gave his mother the manutergium, or the white linen cloth with which Fr. Poirier’s hands were bound after being anointed with oil earlier in the ceremony.
This is only a brief outline of this incredible Mass. The three and a half hours seemed to fly by, as one was caught up in the majesty of this sacred Traditional Liturgy.
The next day, Fr. Poirier celebrated his First Mass and gave his First Blessings at St. Clement at St. Anne’s in Ottawa. It was a most grace-filled two days indeed for him and all who were blessed to attend this great event.
