As the priestly ordination of Deacons Matteo Matarazzo, Joseph A. Pavone, and Andrew M. Rubinich began on Saturday, May 25, Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., Archbishop of Newark, asked the faithful in attendance to “open their minds and hearts” to what they are about to celebrate.
The ordination was held the day before the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, a day set aside to honor the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity.
Following the gospel (Mark 10: 13-16, “Whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it,”), the ordination began with the presentation of candidates Matarazzo, Pavone, and Rubinich, who were called forth to the sanctuary.
Speaking to the trio, Cardinal Tobin noted three essential elements of priestly ministry in the commitment the men were about to make when asked, “Do you resolve with the help of the Holy Spirit to discharge faithfully the office of the priesthood in the Presbyterial Rank, as worthy fellow workers with the order of the bishops in caring for the Lord’s flock?”
“I think it’s all there,” Cardinal Tobin told the ordinandi. “First being a fellow worker. Then being in service of the people of God. Finally, being under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.”
Cardinal Tobin told the men they were not being called to become leaders but instead “coworkers – people who work with others.” Their education would continue, and they should be open to “perpetual formation,” he said.
As for service, he told the men that their diaconate does not disappear with the priesthood.
“Service is the foundation on which priesthood is built,” Cardinal Tobin said. “Like Jesus, it is not to be served but serve. Pastoral life is a daily offering of yourself. It’s not a desk job but rather a Eucharistic adventure repeating ‘this is my body given up for you.’”
Referring to the First Reading, Jeremiah 1:4-9, Cardinal Tobin told the men the Holy Spirit would guide them “like the young Jeremiah. The Lord says to you today, ‘Behold, I will put my words in your mouth.’”
“We do not lose sight of the timeless beauty of the priestly life,” Cardinal Tobin said.
During the ordination ceremony, when Cardinal Tobin inquired about the worthiness of the candidates, Msgr. Gerard McCarren, S.T.D., who serves as the rector and dean of Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, where the candidates had undergone years of study, confirmed their suitability. The announcement was met with a thunderous round of applause from the congregation, who rose to their feet.
The men then professed their desire to undertake the vocation of priesthood, preach the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and teach the Catholic faith. Each candidate knelt before Cardinal Tobin, placing his joined hands between the hands of the cardinal and making the promise of obedience.
In one of the more dramatic moments in the liturgy, the diaconal candidates lie prostrate on the floor while the litany of the saints is sung. The gesture symbolized the priests’ unworthiness for the office and dependence upon God and the prayers of the Christian community.
During the ordination ceremony, the cardinal blessed the candidates by invoking the Holy Spirit to bestow upon them a sacred character for their designated ministry. The bishops and priests present also laid their hands on each man in prayer.
Priests helped the men with their new vestments — the stole and the chasuble. The stole symbolizes the authority and responsibility to serve in imitation of Christ. It reflects the line from Scripture, “For my yoke is easy and my burden light,” in Matthew 11:30. The chasuble is the main garment of the priest celebrating the Eucharist.
Cardinal Tobin anointed the palms of each ordinand with chrism oil, signifying the hands of the newly ordained priest are being prepared for the sacred duties and vessels that are part of the priestly ministry. These include offering the bread and wine, anointing the sick, and blessing people. A cloth held under the hands during anointing was then tied around the priests’ hands.
After the gifts were received for Eucharist, Cardinal Tobin placed the paten holding the bread and the chalice containing the wine into each of the priests’ hands, highlighting that the Eucharist is the heart of the priesthood and the importance of celebrating the Eucharist in the life of the priest.
“Receive the oblation of the holy people to be offered to God,” Cardinal Tobin said to each priest. “Understand what you will do, imitate what you will celebrate, and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”
The laying of the hands is when the actual ordination takes place. With this ritual, Cardinal Tobin and the other priests invoke the Holy Spirit to come down upon the one to be ordained, giving him a sacred character, and setting him apart for the designated ministry. This is an ancient tradition in the Church, which is mentioned in the Bible.
After the Mass, family and friends lined up for the new priests’ first blessings.
The new priests
Father Matarazzo, 31, had once lost faith and pursued a career in the restaurant industry before applying to the Navy in his native country of Italy. However, upon encountering the catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way, he experienced God’s forgiveness and acceptance, which reignited his faith. Feeling the presence of God’s love, Father Matarazzo knew he wanted to join the priesthood.
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, he said, “I am very excited to be with you! I look forward to meeting you and together walk toward God. He is the only one that can fill the void that we may experience.”
Father Matarazzo will be assigned to Holy Family Church in Nutley.
Father Pavone, 35, did not take a linear path to the priesthood. Ten years ago, he was ordained as a transitional deacon but later chose to step away from Church ministry in search of personal fulfillment. This led him to explore unique jobs and meet a multitude of people. Through these experiences, he matured, became more compassionate, and gained a deeper understanding of life. Eventually, Father Pavone realized this journey was God’s way of preparing him for his true calling as a priest.
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, he said, “My future parishioners can be assured that I will approach all my responsibilities most seriously and I will do my best, as God permits, to be an example of Jesus Christ.”
Father Pavone will be serving at Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Wyckoff.
Deacon Rubinich, 25, began his faith journey in St. Thomas More Church in Fairfield, where he started as an altar server and later engaged in youth ministry, eventually becoming a catechetics teacher and vacation Bible school leader. Through these roles, he felt a call to the priesthood but kept his dream to himself. It was only after several people urged him to consider seminary that he realized his vocation as a priest. Now on the brink of ordination, Deacon Rubinich eagerly anticipates serving Jesus and His people.
In a message to members of his future assigned parish, Deacon Rubinich said he cannot wait to embrace the vocation that Jesus has called him to and “give in service of Him and His people.”
“I have been praying for you through all my years in the seminary,” said Deacon Rubinich, who will be assigned to Saint Aloysius Church in Caldwell.
Father Eugenio de la Rama, director of vocations for the Archdiocese of Newark, said the Archdiocese of Newark is fortunate to welcome the men who have responded generously to the Lord’s call.
“May our new priests be encouraged by the words of Pope Francis, who said earlier this month, ‘You will experience the joy of being true fathers who do not dominate others, but rather, bring out in them, men and women alike, great and precious possibilities!’ Praised be Jesus Christ, now and forever!”
