August 22, 2020
By Paul McMullan/Catholic Review
Photos: Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff
A few minutes before he and four other men were to be ordained priests of the Archdiocese of Baltimore by Archbishop William E. Lori, now-Father Zachary Crowley was asked to share his thoughts about the moment.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been as nervous and excited at the same time,” he said the morning of Aug. 22 at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland.
The depth and range of emotions felt by Fathers Crowley, Brendan Fitzgerald, Justin Gough, Evan Ponton and Jeremy Smith was audible an hour later, as a fellow priest vested each with a stole and chasuble.
Sniffles could be heard in the sanctuary, notably from the direction of Father Gough being vested by Father Patrick Carrion. Father Gough’s vocation was inspired at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Baynesville by Father Carrion’s brother, Michael, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack last November.
“When he asked me to take my brother’s place,” Father Carrion said, “I said, ‘Justin, this is all so raw right now, someone else might come into mind.’ It was an honor and a privilege to do so. Knowing I was there and he (Father Michael Carrion) wasn’t, I felt bad for Justin.
“During the Litany of Saints, I always envision all of them looking down on us. This time, Michael was numbered among them. It was hard, but wonderful.”
Full story and slideshow at CatholicReview.org
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