SAN ANTONIO • Oscar L. Vasquez, a former Marianist brother, was ordained to the priesthood last month in the Society of Mary by Archbishop Emeritus Patrick F. Flores at Holy Rosary Church.
    Father Vasquez is a native of the Alamo city and a graduate of both Central Catholic High School and Our Lady of the Lake University. He professed first vows in the Society of Mary in 1987 and perpetual vows in 1990.
    Brother Vasquez returned to Central Catholic as a teacher and director of campus ministry, before assuming the presidency of Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth. He later entered studies at the Marianist International Seminary in Rome.
    Concelebrants at the Aug. 27 ordination liturgy included Father George J. Cerniglia, SM, general assistant for religious life, and Father James Fitz, assistant provincial for the Marianist Province of the United States.
    Brother Charles Johnson, SM, and Rose Marie Ponce welcomed the assembly in English and Spanish, respectively. Lectors were Brother Joseph Grieshaber, SM, Eileen Kleffner and Manuel C. Vasquez.

    During the rite of ordination, Brother Vasquez was called from the community by Brother Michael O’Grady, SM, and presented by Brother Stephen Flodek, SM, to Archbishop Flores, who asked those in the church to judge his worthiness. All present in the assembly said “Thanks be to God” and gave their consent with thunderous applause.
    In his homily, Archbishop Flores addressed Brother Vasquez and the gathered faithful, explaining the duties of a priest in the church and in the Society of Mary. Then, Brother Vasquez stood before the archbishop, who questioned him regarding his resolve to exercise the ministry of the word and celebrate faithfully the mysteries of Christ.
    After responding “I do” to several queries, Brother Vasquez knelt before Archbishop Flores and placed his joined hands between those of the archbishop, promising respect and obedience to the diocesan bishop and his legitimate superior.

    Afterwards, Archbishop Flores invited the people to pray while Brother Vasquez prostrated himself before the altar as the congregation sang the Litany of the Saints, led by “Los Inocentes” and Sister Christine Garcia, SSND.
    Following the litany, Brother Vasquez knelt before the archbishop. In the ancient tradition of the church, Archbishop Flores placed his hands on Brother Vasquez’ head in silence. Next, all priests present placed their hands on the Marianist brother and then remained on either side of the archbishop as he extended his hands over Brother Vasquez and recited the prayer of consecration.
    After the prayer, the newly ordained Father Vasquez turned to meet the four religious brothers with whom he shared the novitiate in 1987.
    The men — Brother Robert Donovan, Brother Charles Johnson, Brother Steve O’Neil and Brother Tom Wendorf — assisted the priest in removing the stole of the order of deacons and replacing it with the stole of the order of presbyter and the chasuble.

    When that was completed, Father Vasquez again knelt before Archbishop Flores, who, according to the ancient rite of the church, anointed the priest’s hands with the chrism that was consecrated on Holy Thursday.
    Glenn and Kate Mitchell, two of Father Vasquez’ friends, presented the paten with the bread and the chalice with the wine to the archbishop, who gave them to Father Oscar.
    Lastly, Archbishop Flores offered a sign of peace to the new priest, before the Marianist cleric took his place as a concelebrant of the Eucharist.
Prior to the final blessing and dismissal, in the name of the Vasquez family, the new priest’s sisters, Lupi Tristan, Mary Alice L. Vasquez and Sister Arlene L. Vasquez, MCDP, gathered around him and blessed him.

    A reception followed the Mass at the University Center on the campus of St. Mary’s University, adjacent to Holy Rosary.
    In a Word of Thanks section from Father Vasquez in the liturgy program, he states, “I am so thankful for the blessings that our loving God has showered upon me, and for our Blessed Mother under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe who has taught me the way to be of humble service.
     The following day, on Aug. 28, Father Vasquez celebrated his first Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe on El Paso St., the church where he grew up.
    Father Rudy Vela, SM, was the homilist at the liturgy. “Oscar’s priesthood is ministerial. It’s about serving in Christ’s name,” said Father Vela. “The ministerial priesthood acts in service to the people of God, teaching and outreach, the way we live and help build communities and families.”
    At the conclusion of the Mass, Father Vasquez stated, “I am especially thankful to the Jesuit community, the former Santa Cruz community as well as the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish community, for they provided a place for me to be a person of faith and a person dedicated to service. My parents provided the seeds for my vocation and the parish community gave the opportunity for growth.”