By Darlene Dunn

MILWAUKEE — Proud. Humble. Special. Words provided by twin 8-year olds, worthy of Charlotte, of “Charlotte’s Web,” who would indeed have spun them into glistening, silken threads to mark the auspicious occasion of six men ordained to the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee May 23. This trinity of adjectives well describes the experience of three different entities – myself, these astute boys and the candidates.

I was proud to witness the completion of my classmates’ journey to priesthood. I began my graduate studies with them at Saint Francis Seminary and, like them, completed my degree at Sacred Heart School of Theology. I am so proud of the wonderful role models these ministerial friends have become that I invited two of my best students from my first and second grade catechism class at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish to share in their ordination day.

In class, Ray and Russ Arndorfer showed interest in priestly things, as well as in the priesthood, along with certain demeanor, which was confirmed by their mother, Judy. She wrote to me, “Their spiritual growth has blossomed under your care and direction. They have been strongly impacted by your focus on the saints and the blessing of the rosaries [by a deacon friend].”

What better way to nurture the vocational and spiritual seeds that I planted in the classroom than through something experiential!

The twins were humble as they walked through the great doors of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Their expressions were of excited expectation. We lit candles and prayed. They asked me to translate the Latin words of a dedication plaque. Their fingers traced the marble-etched words of another as they remembered them and attempted some translation, as well as figuring out the Roman numerals.

Even though the ceremony was a magnificent unfolding of sights and sounds for them, it was to mean more because of the equally special moments that came beforehand. We saw the historic artifacts in the anteroom where the priests and seminarians were meeting and vesting. They were fascinated. I was a proud teacher as my students were gentlemen as I ushered them to meet and talk with the seminary rectors, priest-professors and humble colleagues. Luke Strand said, “God bless you for bringing them!”

The most outstanding moment came when I introduced Bishop William P. Callahan to them. Ray’s face was star struck as he looked up at him. The bishop smiled warmly, extending his hand to me and then to Ray. Ray put out his small hand, clasped the bishop’s, saying that it was an honor to meet him. They had a little talk. Ray was beaming. Bishop Richard J. Sklba was gracious as well and posed for a picture with them. Both twins remarked, “Wow! Two bishops in one day!” They thought all the vestments, as well as the regalia of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, were beautiful.

The twins noticed saints depicted on the stained glass and said that they would look them up in their saints’ book. I related that the patron saint of parish priests was St. John Vianney. The hanging sculpture of Christ riveted them.

Within a magnificent cavalcade, six humble servants of the Lord processed, while music “rocked the heavens,” according to Russ. I shared with them my ministerial motto: This is what Yahweh asks of you: to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8), saying that it applies to everyone. Ray nodded his head, smiling up at me. With wide eyes, expectant sighs and a face lit with awe, he ecstatically said, “I think this ordination is really special, really neat - and not everyone can see this! Thank you, Ms. Dann, for inviting us and especially for all the extras you made possible!”

During the two-hour Mass, the twins were superbly attentive, whispering questions or comments to me. I observed Russ in contemplative fixation at the laying on of hands, the anointing and the vesting. Ray commented on several homiletic points, especially when Bishop Callahan addressed the new priests, “Don’t ever forget the necessity or care of the souls.” and “The priest is not a priest for himself. He is for you [the people].” Most noteworthy to Ray was, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus.”

Since they recently received their first Communion, they expressed how special it was to receive the Body of Christ from Bishop Sklba and the newly-ordained Fr. Mark Brandl. At the end, when the cathedral doors opened, Ray said, “The raindrops have stopped. There isn’t any gray sky out there! Look, Ms. Dann, the sun is smiling with its rays upon us and all the new priests!”

I replied, “Yes, but it isn’t really the sun doing the smiling, is it?”

Ray smiled, “It’s God!”

I said, “Exactly. God is smiling down on us and very pleased this day.”

Ray added, “What a special day! Wow!”

I concurred. And if Charlotte spun one more grand word in summation, the perfect word would be: resplendent!

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