The first year following a new priest’s ordination in the Catholic Church provides many opportunities for special graces. The graces can both benefit the priest, as well as the people that have an opportunity to encounter him. The Sacred Heart Major Seminary family was blessed on two occasions with the opportunity to join two recent graduates as they returned to the seminary to celebrate Masses of Thanksgiving.
A Mass of Thanksgiving is a Mass celebrated within the first year of a priest’s ordination and is usually celebrated at a Parish that holds some level of significance to the newly ordained priest. Many times, the Masses are celebrated in home parishes, family parishes, and—in this case—where these men spent many years forming their hearts to the Will of God.
On Tuesday, March 12, 2019, Rev. John Jaddou of the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas the Apostles celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving with the Sacred Heart family, while Rev. Joshua Erickson celebrated his Mass the following day on Wednesday, March 13, 2019.
The Sacred Heart community continues to pray for Fr. Jaddou and Fr. Erickson that they continue to receive many graces and blessings throughout the entirety of their priestly ministries.