By Lisa Dahm
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Bishop Larry Silva ordained Deacon Taylor K. Mitchell and Deacon John Jacob Akau to the priesthood May 22 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Honolulu before family, friends and parishioners.
In the overflowing church, some 68 priests — including Honolulu’s bishop-elect, Jesuit Father Michael Castori — and more than a dozen deacons from parishes throughout the diocese witnessed the joyful presbyteral ordination, which incorporated olelo Hawaii (the Hawaiian language) and other local touches.
The first reading was delivered in olelo Hawaii by Karen Victor of St. Rita Church in Nanakuli. Later, Deacons Mitchell and Akau responded in olelo Hawaii during the election of the candidate, and some hymns were also sung in olelo Hawaii.
During the investiture, Father Mitchell’s chasuble bearing a vibrant blue palaka print hearkened to Hawaii’s plantation past.
Bishop Larry Silva spoke during his homily on love, sacrifice and the priesthood.
“On this great day of joy, for which you have prepared — and for which hundreds have screened you, warned you, criticized you, taught you, nurtured you, evaluated you, tested you and cared for you — we all join you in the joy you now experience,” Bishop Silva said. “After 51 years of the priesthood, I can attest that the joy of serving so many wonderful people is overwhelming.
He said that days will come when God seems to be silent, and the new priests will be overcome by frustrations; they should remember that God allowed Jesus to suffer as the “messenger of his undying love.”
“Now this loving Father has called (you), John and Taylor, to follow Jesus in being messengers and mediators of his love to humanity; you will do so in preaching the word of God, so that the word may continue to take flesh … and continue to make the old ways of sin into the new ways of salvation,” Bishop Silva said.
Bishop Silva said that though they are still sinners, the two men would “utter the most liberating words of forgiveness to those who approach Jesus in true repentance and the sacrament of heaven.”
“You will be able to lay hands on the sick, and in the name of Jesus, help them with the grace of the Holy Spirit, free them, and raise them to do these amazing things,” he said. “To survive the sufferings that often come with them, you will need to remain in the friendship of Jesus.”
Bishop Silva told the men that they must be in constant prayer and dedicate themselves totally to a “life of celibate love” for the people they serve.
“You will need to remain in his love by keeping his commandments in obedience to your bishop, and to the one who is soon to be your bishop present with us tonight, and to whom even now you will pledge your obedience and respect,” he said.
Bishop Silva also called them to bear fruit that will remain after many decades of ministry.
“You, who will be priests forever, will continue to intercede for the struggling saints below, just as we are about to plead the saints above to do for you,” Bishop Silva said.
The rite of ordination continued after Bishop Silva’s homily, with Deacons Mitchell and Akau promising their fidelity and lying prostrate during the litany of supplication.
Bishop Silva then lay his hands on each deacon and prayed the prayer of ordination. During the investiture that followed, Father EJ Resinto and Father Romple Emwalu assisted Father Akau with his stole and chasuble while Father Kurt Meyer assisted Father Mitchell with his new priestly vestments.
After an anointing with chrism and the fraternal kiss of peace, joy radiated throughout St. Theresa until well after Mass concluded.
On May 23, Father Akau, a native of Pahala on Hawaii island, celebrated his first Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Honolulu to accommodate family and friends from the mainland. Father Mitchell celebrated his first Mass at his home parish, St. John Apostle and Evangelist Church in Mililani.
Effective July 1, Father Akau will serve as parochial vicar at the co-cathedral, and Father Mitchell will serve as parochial vicar at St. Anthony Church in Wailuku.
Photos, from top: 1) Father Taylor K. Mitchell, left, and Father John Jacob Akau, right, paused after their ordination Mass May 22 to take a photo with Bishop Larry Silva and Honolulu’s bishop-elect, Jesuit Father Michael Castori (Celia K. Downes / Hawaii Catholic Herald). 2) With their priestly vestments waiting nearby, Deacons Mitchell and Akau lay prostrate during their ordination Mass at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa (Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald). 3) Father Mitchell shared a light moment with his mother after his investiture (Lisa Dahm / Hawaii Catholic Herald). 4) Father Akau received help with his vestments from Father Romple Emwalu, left, and Father EJ Resinto (Courtesy Dann Ebina).