"REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS; AGAIN I SAY REJOICE. LET YOUR KINDNESS BE KNOWN TO ALL MEN. THE LORD IS NEAR (Phil.4:4,5). The first word of this text gives the liturgical name to this day which is known as Gaudete Sunday. In St. Paul's view we as Christians have reason to live continuously in a state of joy. In today's epistle, he not only exhorts us to rejoice always, but also to pray continuously; moreover, he admonishes us to cultivate a lasting sense of gratitude. Paul enjoins these three in a very concisely worded sentence that conveys the urgency he felt in getting his message across to his audience. He writes: "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; give thanks in all things" (1Thes. 5:16, 17). Today as we participate in the first mass of our Father Gerard we all have some experience of all three of these recommendations urged upon us by St. Paul. Prayer, joy and thanksgiving all come readily as we unite here at the altar at the first Eucharistic offering of our newly ordained Father.

...

May the Spirit of the Lord Jesus bestow this gift on you today, Brother Gerard, and on all of us priests and lay members of the Church as together we offer this Eucharist and participate in this ordination mass. For this grace is not only for you alone but for all who approach the Lord with sincere faith and offer him the homage of our constant prayer in a spirit of joy and giving thanks to Him for His great glory and His goodness to us all. Amen.+ "