Per its long-standing tradition, the United States Province of Priests and Brothers celebrated its priestly ordinations on Saturday of the Easter Octave on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. This year, four men were ordained to the priesthood: Fr. Noah Junge, C.S.C., Fr. Ricky Bevington, C.S.C., Fr. David Murray, C.S.C., and Fr. Aaron Morris, C.S.C.

“We are thrilled to have Noah, Ricky, David, and Aaron join the brotherhood of the Congregation of Holy Cross in the ministry of the priesthood,” said Fr. William M. Lies, C.S.C., Superior of the United States Province.“God’s guidance has brought these four to service in the Church. Their zeal, determination, gifts, and compassion to bring hope across borders of every kind will make them impactful ministers of Christ.”

The night before the ordinations, on Friday, 25 April, the Holy Cross community and the family and friends of the four ordinandi gathered in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to pray for them in a candlelit vigil. Fr. Peter Rocca, C.S.C., Director of Liturgical Formation at Moreau Seminary, presided and preached at the prayer service, which included the blessing of the patens and chalices the men would receive for their ordinations.

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The following afternoon, on Saturday, 26 April, all assembled again in the basilica for the Mass of Ordination. The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades, Bishop of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, presided. In his homily, he spoke of love being at the heart of the ministry and vocation of the priesthood, citing both our Founder and Pope Francis.

Following the Mass, there was a reception in the university’s Main Building for all of those who had attended the ordinations. Later in the evening, there was a special dinner for the family and close friends of the newly ordained and the Holy Cross community.

All four of the newly ordained will begin their priestly ministry where they have been serving as deacons this past year: Fr. Noah at Holy Cross Parish in South Bend, Indiana; Fr. Ricky in campus ministry at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania; Fr. David as Rector of Keough Hall at the University of Notre Dame; and Fr. Aaron in campus ministry at Stonehill College in North Easton, Massachusetts.