"Don’t you hear it? She asked & I shook my head no & then she started to dance & suddenly there was music everywhere & it went on for a very long time & when I finally found words all I could say was thank you."
-Brian Andreas
Its arrival, unassuming and simple as it was, foretold a monumental impression upon my spirit that I wouldn’t realize for weeks. And it wasn’t really intended for me.
The invitation read, in part:
“With praise and thanksgiving to almighty God, the Church of Pittsburgh, along with the family of Joseph Michael Freedy, joyfully announce his ordination to the Sacred Order of Priesthood through the Imposition of Hands and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit.”
-Brian Andreas
Its arrival, unassuming and simple as it was, foretold a monumental impression upon my spirit that I wouldn’t realize for weeks. And it wasn’t really intended for me.
The invitation read, in part:
“With praise and thanksgiving to almighty God, the Church of Pittsburgh, along with the family of Joseph Michael Freedy, joyfully announce his ordination to the Sacred Order of Priesthood through the Imposition of Hands and the Invocation of the Holy Spirit.”
Deacon Joe Freedy was a fourth year theological studies seminarian at the Pontifical North American College in Rome when he entered M’s life by chance or perhaps by prayer. He entered as M sat for lunch in the small dining room of her studio in Rome. He entered noticing her alone and he stopped and sat and spoke. He entered by the Grace of God…and he stayed.
Their meetings continued following this first encounter in mid-December and grew to be somewhat frequent. M began to rely upon these conversations on faith, friendships and family as they served to massage her stressed and tired emotions. Their sharing of thoughts would lift and hold a seeking spirit and would continually rejuvenate it. I recall phone conversations and e-mails that seemed so alive with this newfound spark born of the caring and sharing of Deacon Joe. As days became weeks and weeks became months their friendship continued over coffee, over conversation and over prayer. This friendship in words and deeds held deep and apparent meaning for a young student far from home. Soon M was introduced to Deacon Steve and David. By January she was enjoying Wednesday evening basketball in their pickup league. My young daughter from Omaha was in competitive sport with the Deacons in the Vatican City. What a memory!
But when it came, M read the invitation and, considering the logistics of cost and distance, she rationalized that an RSVP was futile. And when it came, Denise and I knew instantly that this trip would happen. Our flights to Pittsburgh were arranged that evening.
When considering an appropriate gift for someone so dear to her, and for such a monumental occasion, M recalled one of her last talks in Rome with Deacon Joe. He had explained to M his feelings about the character and persona of his namesake Saint Joseph. Joe was forever disappointed with traditional depictions of Joseph, husband to Mary, as a ruggedish carpenter and an older man. So Joe had imagined an image of Joseph for himself - an image to be imagined again and again as he thought of, and prayed to, his namesake Saint. Joe had described this image to M in vivid detail and M had decided that her special gift would be a drawing of Saint Joseph that no one had ever seen.
The Ordination was held at Saint Paul Cathedral, near the convergence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, the Monongahela, the Allegheny and the Ohio. It was presided over by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Most Reverend David Zubik.
The Ordination was a grand and powerfully moving event. But its power did not seem to emanate from one person or place or action. It was everywhere and it grew from the gathering, the procession, the promise of obedience, the supplication, the laying of hands, the investiture, the blessings, the calling of Saints and the many unified prayers. It grew from the visions of ritual, the rich aroma of incense and the heavenly sounds of the soprano Cantor. And it all wafted through the nave and transepts, from chancel to narthex and from floor to vault of the old Cathedral. It was all of this together; and it combined into a spiritual swirl and the unmistakable and absolute presence of the Holy Spirit! And in the end, there was a Priest...Father Joseph Michael Freedy. It was breathtaking.
There was a short reception following the Ordination at Saint Paul Cathedral. It was here where I was first introduced to Father Joe Freedy and received a blessing together with M by his fresh Priestly hand. I would later learn that a blessing from a newly ordained Priest holds a special power and meaning.
The lunch reception was held at the Student Union Ballroom at Duquesne University. This was my first opportunity to meet Father Joe’s parents and many of the Priests and Deacons that M had known from Rome. M and I shared a table with Deacons Steve and Ron and David.
Their meetings continued following this first encounter in mid-December and grew to be somewhat frequent. M began to rely upon these conversations on faith, friendships and family as they served to massage her stressed and tired emotions. Their sharing of thoughts would lift and hold a seeking spirit and would continually rejuvenate it. I recall phone conversations and e-mails that seemed so alive with this newfound spark born of the caring and sharing of Deacon Joe. As days became weeks and weeks became months their friendship continued over coffee, over conversation and over prayer. This friendship in words and deeds held deep and apparent meaning for a young student far from home. Soon M was introduced to Deacon Steve and David. By January she was enjoying Wednesday evening basketball in their pickup league. My young daughter from Omaha was in competitive sport with the Deacons in the Vatican City. What a memory!
But when it came, M read the invitation and, considering the logistics of cost and distance, she rationalized that an RSVP was futile. And when it came, Denise and I knew instantly that this trip would happen. Our flights to Pittsburgh were arranged that evening.
When considering an appropriate gift for someone so dear to her, and for such a monumental occasion, M recalled one of her last talks in Rome with Deacon Joe. He had explained to M his feelings about the character and persona of his namesake Saint Joseph. Joe was forever disappointed with traditional depictions of Joseph, husband to Mary, as a ruggedish carpenter and an older man. So Joe had imagined an image of Joseph for himself - an image to be imagined again and again as he thought of, and prayed to, his namesake Saint. Joe had described this image to M in vivid detail and M had decided that her special gift would be a drawing of Saint Joseph that no one had ever seen.The Ordination was held at Saint Paul Cathedral, near the convergence of Pittsburgh’s three rivers, the Monongahela, the Allegheny and the Ohio. It was presided over by the Bishop of Pittsburgh, the Most Reverend David Zubik.
The Ordination was a grand and powerfully moving event. But its power did not seem to emanate from one person or place or action. It was everywhere and it grew from the gathering, the procession, the promise of obedience, the supplication, the laying of hands, the investiture, the blessings, the calling of Saints and the many unified prayers. It grew from the visions of ritual, the rich aroma of incense and the heavenly sounds of the soprano Cantor. And it all wafted through the nave and transepts, from chancel to narthex and from floor to vault of the old Cathedral. It was all of this together; and it combined into a spiritual swirl and the unmistakable and absolute presence of the Holy Spirit! And in the end, there was a Priest...Father Joseph Michael Freedy. It was breathtaking.
There was a short reception following the Ordination at Saint Paul Cathedral. It was here where I was first introduced to Father Joe Freedy and received a blessing together with M by his fresh Priestly hand. I would later learn that a blessing from a newly ordained Priest holds a special power and meaning.The lunch reception was held at the Student Union Ballroom at Duquesne University. This was my first opportunity to meet Father Joe’s parents and many of the Priests and Deacons that M had known from Rome. M and I shared a table with Deacons Steve and Ron and David.
The family’s evening reception was held at the home of Joe’s parents in Bethel Park. 
Upon our arrival M presented Father Joe with her drawing of Saint Joseph. This presentation was a powerful moment shared between them. He was predictably touched and clearly amazed. I decided to leave them alone to talk and found my way to the buffet and refreshments. Enjoying various conversations, I was quickly joined by Joe’s father. Over the course of an hour, I enjoyed wonderful conversations with Joe’s parents and each of his brothers and sisters. This is truly a wonderful family.
Father Ryan found me and introduced himself. We discussed Rome and his schooling and, to the best of my ability, we discussed the differences and similarities between Catholicism and Methodism. And then he slipped a small medallion from his pocket and blessed it. As he placed it in my hand, he began to explain the history and meaning behind this Miraculous Medal.
The Miraculous Metal was created by Saint Catherine Laboure following her sighting of the Virgin Mary. Mary reportedly came to Catherine wearing many rings, most of which shone rays of light. Asked why some of her rings did not shed light, Mary reportedly replied that those are the graces for which people forget to ask. Other imagery revealed in this sighting included a circle of twelve stars, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”. Mary then asked Catherine to take these images to her father who should cast them into medallions. Mary said that all who wear them would receive great graces.
As M joined us, our conversation turned to The Rosary. M indicated that she had received a Rosary from Father Joe at her last meeting with him in Rome. He was on crutches with an ankle injury sustained during basketball. He had wanted to give her a gift but was unable to leave his home. Joe indicated that he had prayed that God would provide him a gift to give to M. On the morning of their meeting, Joe said that he was visited by a friend who was returning from travel and who gave Joe a Rosary he had brought from Lourdes, France. 
And this is the Rosary that Deacon Joe had given to M. M explained its significance and coincidence...a gift of Rosary from Deacon Joe and its origination in Lourdes, the location of the original Grotto replicated on the Notre Dame Campus. Then she held it out for us to see. It was little, but it was no small treasure to M. Unexpectedly, Father Ryan reached into his pocket and produced an identical Rosary. And pointing at himself, he said “I am the friend who traveled from Lourdes.” We were all three stunned by the sheer coincidence of this chance meeting. Before we left, Father Ryan held out his hand and gave me his Rosary saying, “You should have this that the two should stay close”.
Father Joe’s First Mass was a Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast Day of St. Thomas More at Joe’s Family Parish, St. Thomas More Church in Pittsburgh. It was another incredible experience and such a privilege to witness.
Another reception followed. We spoke again with many new friends from the day and evening before. And as we prepared to depart, we thanked the Freedy family, Father Ryan, Father Mark, Deacon Steve and David. We approached the long line of Father Joe’s ongoing blessings of well-wishers with David. As David held the line’s attention, Father Joe turned to M and I and we received our blessings and said good-bye.
Upon our arrival M presented Father Joe with her drawing of Saint Joseph. This presentation was a powerful moment shared between them. He was predictably touched and clearly amazed. I decided to leave them alone to talk and found my way to the buffet and refreshments. Enjoying various conversations, I was quickly joined by Joe’s father. Over the course of an hour, I enjoyed wonderful conversations with Joe’s parents and each of his brothers and sisters. This is truly a wonderful family.Father Ryan found me and introduced himself. We discussed Rome and his schooling and, to the best of my ability, we discussed the differences and similarities between Catholicism and Methodism. And then he slipped a small medallion from his pocket and blessed it. As he placed it in my hand, he began to explain the history and meaning behind this Miraculous Medal.
The Miraculous Metal was created by Saint Catherine Laboure following her sighting of the Virgin Mary. Mary reportedly came to Catherine wearing many rings, most of which shone rays of light. Asked why some of her rings did not shed light, Mary reportedly replied that those are the graces for which people forget to ask. Other imagery revealed in this sighting included a circle of twelve stars, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the words “O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee”. Mary then asked Catherine to take these images to her father who should cast them into medallions. Mary said that all who wear them would receive great graces.
As M joined us, our conversation turned to The Rosary. M indicated that she had received a Rosary from Father Joe at her last meeting with him in Rome. He was on crutches with an ankle injury sustained during basketball. He had wanted to give her a gift but was unable to leave his home. Joe indicated that he had prayed that God would provide him a gift to give to M. On the morning of their meeting, Joe said that he was visited by a friend who was returning from travel and who gave Joe a Rosary he had brought from Lourdes, France. 
And this is the Rosary that Deacon Joe had given to M. M explained its significance and coincidence...a gift of Rosary from Deacon Joe and its origination in Lourdes, the location of the original Grotto replicated on the Notre Dame Campus. Then she held it out for us to see. It was little, but it was no small treasure to M. Unexpectedly, Father Ryan reached into his pocket and produced an identical Rosary. And pointing at himself, he said “I am the friend who traveled from Lourdes.” We were all three stunned by the sheer coincidence of this chance meeting. Before we left, Father Ryan held out his hand and gave me his Rosary saying, “You should have this that the two should stay close”.
Father Joe’s First Mass was a Mass of Thanksgiving on the Feast Day of St. Thomas More at Joe’s Family Parish, St. Thomas More Church in Pittsburgh. It was another incredible experience and such a privilege to witness.Another reception followed. We spoke again with many new friends from the day and evening before. And as we prepared to depart, we thanked the Freedy family, Father Ryan, Father Mark, Deacon Steve and David. We approached the long line of Father Joe’s ongoing blessings of well-wishers with David. As David held the line’s attention, Father Joe turned to M and I and we received our blessings and said good-bye.
Then as we approached the exit, M caught the attention of one last person. The "Servants of the Pierced Hearts of Jesus and Mary" are a Diocesan Religious Institute founded in 1990 by Mother Adela Galindo in the Archdiocese of Miami, Florida. Mother Adela had led a group of Sisters to Pittsburgh to witness the Ordination of this young Deacon whom she had befriended in Rome. She had been a light for Joe, as he had been a light to M. M expressed her gratitude for past spiritual inspiration and said that we were leaving to catch our flight home. Mother Adela stopped and held M’s hands. Then as they talked, she noticing M’s necklace, and asked to see it. She studied the necklace. It held two Miraculous Metals. One miniature, received with blessing from a Priest who appeared from nowhere on bicycle as M approached the Catacombs south of Rome. The other received with blessing from Father Mark at the Freedy family reception on the previous evening. Smiling, Mother Adela held up the smaller medal and said “M, this is who you are.” And then lifting the larger medal, she said “…and this is who you will be.” I stood trembling silently behind my daughter, and was so moved, I began to cry.
I’m so grateful to have shared in the joy and triumph of Father Joe’s Ordination. The Deacons and Priests and Sisters were so incredibly wonderful to us. And the Freedy family all received M and me with such warmth that we felt very much at home in the midst of their family and friends. I knew the importance of this event to M but was unaware that the Ordination and First Mass would prove to be such powerful spiritual events for me…I'll never forget this. And I’m certain that Father Joe Freedy will remain a strong influence on M’s personal and spiritual life – now and forever.
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