Seminarian Gage Neisen formally admitted to candidacy

We would do well to remember how dependent we are upon God and the prayers of the good people of his Church for us to be here for this Rite of Admission to Candidacy.”

Bishop W. Shawn McKnight

Seminarians for the Jefferson City diocese and local parishioners joined Bishop W. Shawn McKnight at Mass Aug. 4 in Queen of Peace Church in Ewing, home church of seminarian Gage Neisen.

There, the bishop formally accepted Mr. Neisen into candidacy for the Sacrament of Holy Orders.

“From this day on, you must cultivate more fully your vocation, using especially those means that can be offered to you as help and support by the ecclesial community entrusted with this task,” Bishop Mc-Knight told Mr. Neisen.

The Rite of Admission to Candidacy is a pivotal step in the journey to the ministerial Priesthood. It is celebrated when a seminarian has reached a maturity of purpose in his formation and has demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination.

Mr. Neisen completed the college portion of his seminary studies at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, Texas, this year and has now begun theology studies at the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio.

In the presence of the bishop and the people, Mr. Neisen expressed his intention to complete and be fully invested in his preparation for priestly ordination, in order to serve Christ and the Church faithfully.

Bishop McKnight emphasized that just as all who are baptized are drawn into something much larger than themselves, “discernment of a vocation to the Priesthood cannot merely depend upon the will or decision of the candidate alone.”

 The signs of a vocation must also be evident to the Church, especially to those in authority who are responsible for ensuring that priestly vocations are authentic.

“This takes prayer — lots of prayer on the part of the candidate — but also on the part of the Church,” said Bishop McKnight.

It also requires a great deal of patience and active preparation.

The bishop promised that he and the rest of the local Church will continue to pray for Mr. Neisen as he moves ahead with his formation.

Perpetual mission

As a candidate for Holy Orders, Mr. Neisen is now bound more closely to the altar of the Eucharist — sacrament of charity and sacrament of unity for the Church.

“Christ’s apostolic mission to crucify sin and death and to bring forth new life of the resurrection has continued down through the centuries through the work and ministry of his Apostles and their successors,” the bishop noted.

Despite evil in the world and scandal in the Church, “Christ continues to break the chains of slavery to sin, to heal the brokenhearted, to nourish the hungry, to bring glad tidings to the poor, to be the Bread of Life,” he stated.

He reminded Mr. Neisen: “In publicly presenting yourself as a formal candidate for the Sacrament of Holy Orders, you are manifesting your internal intention to join in this apostolic work.”

The bishop urged Mr. Neisen to live according to the Gospel and be strengthened in faith, hope and charity.

“By practicing these virtues, you will grow in the spirit of prayer and in zeal to win all mankind for Christ,” the bishop said.

Answer to prayers

Bishop McKnight asked God to bless Mr. Neisen, “so that he may persevere in his vocation— and clinging to Christ, the Priest, with sincere charity — may be able to take up the apostolic office worthily.”

Joining the bishop at the altar were Father Callistus Okoroji, pastor of Queen of Peace Parish and of St. Joseph Parish in Canton, and Father Paul Clark, diocesan vocation director and director of seminarians.

Mr. Neisen and eight of his nine fellow seminarians of the diocese, each preparing to return to studies and formation after spending the summer in the diocese, assisted the bishop during the Mass as servers and in various other roles at or near the altar.

The bishop lauded the people in parishes throughout the diocese who bring their prayers for more priestly vocations into their weekly vigils of Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“We would do well to remember how dependent we are upon God and the prayers of the good people of his Church for us to be here for this Rite of Admission to Candidacy,” he said.

Bishop McKnight thanked all the seminarians for attending the Mass and for their help and participation in events in the diocese during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage for five days in June.

A luncheon provided by Queen of Peace parishioners was served in the parish hall after Mass.