The Catholic Weekly 12 December 2021

$2 We are over the moon, the whole thing was just incredible ... The music, the atmosphere and the support shown by everybody was just amazing.” Fr Anderson Gallego TWONEWpriests have joined the ranks of clergy in Sydney, and are among eight ordina- tions for the Archdiocese in just a fortnight. St Mary’s Cathedral ex- ploded with music, joy and life as Anderson Gallego and Rafael Silva were ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP on 3 De- cember. Described as an “extraor- dinary grace for the Church”, the new priests join five re- cently-ordained deacons, all future priests, as well as the consecration of Bishop Dan- ny Meagher (8 December), to cap off a busy two weeks for vocations. Fittingly held on the feast of Jesuit mission- ary St Francis Xavier, the two new priests, members of the Neocatechumenal Way, were commended by Archbishop Fisher to his protection and intercession. Well-known for its dis- tinctive and uplifting music, men answering the call to the Way’s missionary priesthood know they are not only open to the Lord, but to whatever corner of the world he may send them. It’s a message not lost on the two young men from the Neocatechumenal Redemp- toris Mater Missionary Semi- nary at Chester Hill, who knew littlemore about Sydney other than it had kangaroos, an op- era house and an impossible language, English. Ten years later and now calling Australia home, Fr Anderson, 31, from Colombia, and Fr Rafael, 30, from Mexico, agree the only thing missing from the night was their friends and family unable to attend due to travel restrictions. While it might have only been at a quarter capacity in terms of attendees, the ca- thedral was overflowing with prayers and praise for the new priests who agreed it was the “best night of their lives”. “We are over the moon, the whole thing was just incredi- ble,” Fr Anderson beamed. “The music, the atmos- phere and the support shown by everybody was just amaz- ing. “Words cannot express how happy we are and we can only thank God for this wonderful calling he has given to us. “The only thingmissingwas our family and friends, but we were happy to see more than 3000 people viewed the live- stream around the world so they were with us in spirit.” Around 50 priests pro- cessed into the cathedral to the community’s distinctive and uplifting music, one of the newest and fastest grow- ingmovements in the Church. As the two candidates lay prostrate before the high altar of St Mary’s, the voices of the Spanish choir complimented by guitars, flutes and drums almost lifted the roof seeking the intercession of the saints as the Litany of Supplication was chanted. They then knelt as Archbishop Fisher laid his hands on them and prayed the Prayer of Ordination be- fore clergy from Sydney and beyond came forward to pray, one by one – over and for – their new brothers. The new priests were then vested in stole and chasuble to the tune of You Are So Hand- some – a Neocatechumenal community song inspired by Psalm 45. With huge smiles on their faces, the newly-or- dained processed out with fel- low clergy before giving their first blessings to the sounds of clapping and cheering from the enthusiastic crowds. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 Go, you are sent! Two new priests - fruit of the Neocatechumenal Way - among a raft of ordinations in recent weeks ¾ Debbie Cramsie 12, December, 2021 We made it: a delighted Fr Rafael Galicias and Fr Anderson Gallego can’t hide their delight following their ordination to the priesthood by ArchbishopAnthony Fisher OP in St Mary’s Cathedral on 3 December. PHOTO: ALPHONSUS FOK PELL DIARIES: THE CROSS IN JAIL P20 P13 BILL’S DEATH BY A THOUSAND CUTS