By Florida Catholic staff - Florida Catholic

Photography: Courtesy of Claire Gruneberg

Archbishop Thomas Wenski ordained 12 men to the priesthood for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter May 28, including two newly ordained priests who became familiar to South Florida Catholics through their service during Holy Week at Miami's Holy Face of Jesus Latin Mass Chaplaincy. 

• Archbishop Wenski's homily at Ordination Mass for FSSP priests
• Pope Leo XIV, Sacrosanctum Concilium, and the love that the liturgy requires

Among the ordinands were Fathers Curtis Zuckerman and Peter O'Connor, who assisted at traditional Holy Week liturgies in Miami over the past two years while serving as transitional deacons. Their ordination at St. Cecilia’s Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska was celebrated not only by family and friends but also by members of Miami's Latin Mass community who had come to know them through their ministry.

For Father Zuckerman, one of the most profound moments of the ordination came when Archbishop Wenski laid his hands on his head and invoked the Holy Spirit.

"People seek the priest because they seek Christ," Father Zuckerman told Florida Catholic. "They want His direction and guidance, His consolations and forgiveness, not mine."

"When Archbishop Wenski placed his hands on my head, I was trying to keep my attention on the gift he was imparting to me: the Spirit of Christ."

The ordination Mass brought together families, clergy, seminarians and faithful from across the country to witness one of the largest ordination classes in recent years for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, commonly known as the FSSP.

In his homily, Archbishop Wenski reminded the candidates that the priesthood is not a path to personal fulfillment but a call to generous service.

"We are not men 'out for ourselves' but men for others," the archbishop said. "Our vocation to priestly ministry is a call to reflect Christ's patience and tenderness."

 

One of the largest FSSP ordination classes

The 12 new priests were ordained for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, a society of apostolic life founded in 1988 and in full communion with the Catholic Church and the Holy See.

The newly ordained priests completed their formation at Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska, the North American seminary of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. Founded in 2000, the seminary prepares future priests through studies in philosophy, theology, pastoral formation and the Church's traditional liturgical life. The seminary is led by Father Josef Bisig, co-founder and first superior general of the FSSP, who has served as rector since 2006.

The fraternity was established to preserve and promote the Church's traditional liturgical heritage while serving under the authority of local bishops throughout the world. It operates seminaries in North America and Europe and serves apostolates across several continents.

Members of the fraternity celebrate the sacraments according to the liturgical books in use in 1962, including the Traditional Latin Mass, while carrying out the ordinary pastoral mission of the Church through preaching, sacramental ministry, catechesis and spiritual direction.

 

A vocation nurtured by faith and tradition

Father Zuckerman said he first sensed a call to the priesthood at age 15.

"When I was 15 years old, I first had the thought of entering the priesthood enter my mind," he said. "Ultimately, I realized God is the final end and purpose of my life, the source of all good things, and the fulfillment of all happiness."

He credits Father Ian Bozant and the priests of St. Patrick Church in New Orleans with helping him discern his vocation and find his way to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter."

The seminary teaches you many things: Latin, philosophy, theology," he said. "But there is a lesson taught there that has no class, no scheduled lectures, and there is no written exam."

That lesson, he explained, is that "the priest is another Christ: he offers sacrifice and is sacrificed."

Father Zuckerman said Archbishop Wenski's homily captured that reality perfectly.

"Priests offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass every day; sacrifice must be the condition of their lives," the archbishop said.

Priests called to sacrifice and charity

Throughout his homily, Archbishop Wenski encouraged the newly ordained priests to embrace lives rooted in charity, humility and perseverance.

Drawing on the teachings of St. Pius X, he warned against what he called "bitter zeal."

"It is vain to hope to attract souls to God by a bitter zeal," he said.

Instead, he urged the new priests to imitate Christ's charity toward all people."

Do not shun the excluded or sinners but help them to turn, to convert, and return to the right path," he said.

The archbishop also reminded them that priests must remain available to God's people, especially through the sacrament of reconciliation, while never losing sight of their own need for God's mercy.

 

The Traditional Latin Mass and Miami's chaplaincy

Father Zuckerman's vocation is closely tied to the Traditional Latin Mass, which is celebrated according to the liturgical books in use before the reforms that followed the Second Vatican Council.

"I fell in love with the traditional liturgy as if with a house or land passed down through several generations," he said.

"It is not just the prayers and ceremonies on their own, nor the smell of incense and the resonance of Gregorian chant; it is the places it has been, the people it has touched and nourished, the generations of priests singing, saying, and whispering these same words in these same ways."

In the Archdiocese of Miami, Catholics attached to the Traditional Latin Mass are served through the Holy Face of Jesus Latin Mass Chaplaincy, entrusted to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter and based at Our Lady of Belén Chapel.

• Learn more about the Latin Mass in Miami. 

The chaplaincy is led by Father Zachary Akers, FSSP, who oversees the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in Miami and the administration of the sacraments according to the Church's traditional liturgical books. He is assisted in this ministry by Father Rafael Capó, vice president for Mission and Ministry at St. Thomas University, Father Vincent Capuano, Msgr. Oscar Castañeda.

Together, they serve a growing community of faithful from across South Florida who are drawn to the traditional liturgy, Gregorian chant, sacred music, and the rich spiritual heritage of the Roman Catholic Church.

This ministry has also strengthened the relationship between the Archdiocese of Miami and the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, whose seminarians and deacons regularly assist at major liturgical celebrations in Miami, including Holy Week.

 

A lasting connection to Miami

Reflecting on his visits to South Florida, Father Zuckerman expressed gratitude for the hospitality he received from the Jesuits at Belen.

"They are holy men, of good humor, and an example of faithfulness to the priesthood," he said.

He also recalled spending time with retired Miami priest Monsignor Oscar Castañeda.

"Hearing his advice drawn from years of ecclesiastical ministry, and witnessing his humble piety and love for his priesthood, left a strong impression on me — a memory I will not forget."

As Fathers Zuckerman and O'Connor begin their priestly ministry, many members of Miami's Latin Mass community continue to pray for them and for all the newly ordained priests.

Archbishop Wenski concluded his homily with a challenge that captured the essence of the priesthood.

"You are not to burn out, but you are supposed to burn yourself up, to consume yourself in the service of Christ and his Church."

Father Zuckerman echoed that spirit of humility by asking the faithful for one particular prayer.

"If it is not unbecoming for me to request certain prayers," he said, "I would ask that they pray the Veni Creator Spiritus. I especially need the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so that I don't get in the way of His work." 

 

Traditional Latin Mass Schedule

Sundays — 10 a.m.
Our Lady of Belén Chapel
500 SW 127th Ave.
Miami, FL

Monday-Friday — 7:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery Chapel
11411 NW 25th St.
Doral, FL 33172

The chaplaincy also provides the sacraments, catechesis, spiritual direction and pastoral care for Catholics attached to the Church's traditional liturgical heritage throughout South Florida.

To learn more about the chaplaincy, view Mass schedules and upcoming events, or register with the community, visit:latinmassmiami.org

Stay connected by signing up for the chaplaincy's free email bulletin, which provides updates on liturgies, feast days, special events and parish news:latinmassmiami.org/register

For more information, call (305) 762-9786.