‘Unworthy’ but thankful

In front of pews filled with family, friends and parishioners from various parishes he has served in over the past few years, one young man was ordained by Archbishop Gregory Aymond to the priesthood May 31 at St. Louis Cathedral.

The newly ordained Father Joseph Martello said his ordination was the fulfilment of a six-year long dream, and he felt blessed.

“I am tremendously honored and feel unworthy to be chosen by our Lord in this way,” he said. “But I’m also thankful for it. I’m thankful for the people of God who’ve been praying for me and have come out to support me today.”

A day of great joy

Archbishop Aymond told the congregation that every ordination is different, but each is a joyful occasion to celebrate.

“Today we celebrate Joseph’s saying ‘yes’ to Jesus and having accepted God’s invitation,” he said. “He did not do this alone; he did this with the help of God and the support of his family and the seminary. It is our privilege to watch you being ordained today into this ministry.”

During the ordination, Archbishop Aymond placed his hands on Father Martello’s head to express the invocation of the Holy Spirit and grant authority and responsibility. Father Martello’s hands were also anointed with sacred chrism as a sign of the sanctifying ministry of a priest to the service of his people. He was then welcomed into priestly life as a newly ordained priest, first by Archbishop Aymond and then by his brother priests.

During his homily, Archbishop Aymond recounted a story from an interview Father Martello gave while he was in the seminary and he introduced himself saying, “My name is Joseph, and I’m the pride and joy of the seminary and the Archdiocese of New Orleans.”

Blessed family and friends

 Following his ordination, Father Martello stood in front of the altar for more than an hour, blessing people as they came up to wish him well and congratulate him on his upcoming assignment.

Since his graduation from Notre Dame Seminary and his ordination to the transitional diaconate last December, he has trained at St. Francis Xavier and St. Philip Neri parishes in Metairie. He will begin his priestly ministry as the parochial vicar at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in River Ridge on July 1.

“I’m super excited to go to St. Matthew. I’m really looking forward to entering into priestly ministry in full there,” he said. “You know, it’s my first assignment ever, and it’s going to be great.”

Father Martello celebrated his first Mass June 1 at St. Patrick Church in New Orleans.

[email protected]