On December 19 it was the 150th anniversary of the ordination of Fr. Dehon. Here is a brief reflection that came from the community of Rome who remembered this day by celebrating a Eucharist at St. John Lateran, where Fr. Dehon was ordained 150 years ago. Our Founder left us some memories of this day.

“The feelings on the occasion of the ordination are hard to put into words. I stood upright as a priest, possessed by Jesus, truly filled with him, with his love for the Father, with his care for souls, with his spirit of prayer and oblation.” (NHV 6/85)

On December 20 when he celebrated his first mass in the Santa Chiara seminary, he recalled: “The emotion was general. When my father and my mother knelt for communion no one could resist their tears. As to me, I was entranced with love for our Lord and full of contempt for my poor self. It was the best day of my life.” (NHV 6/86) These words expressed so many of my feelings: love, emotions, lively thanksgiving for God for so many gifts. Days of thanksgiving and happiness.

During the retreat before the ordination, he wrote: “The Lord wanted to prepare me himself by giving me an abundance of gifts. He must have had in mind my current mission. Today I can see it clearly. He gave me so generously the spirit of love and reparation which are at the heart of my vocation.” (NHV 6/82)

The celebration of the 150th anniversary took place at the Pontificio Seminario Francese di Santa Chiara, where Fr. Dehon studied prior to his ordination to the priesthood.