Father of Priest to be Ordained to the Priesthood Saturday, June 12

On Saturday, June 12 at 10:00 a.m., Deacon Greg Rapisarda, the father of Archdiocesan priest Father John Rapisarda, Associate Pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Middle River, will be ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Baltimore by Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien, Archbishop of Baltimore.Default

Once ordained, the Fathers Rapisarda will become the first father-son Archdiocesan priests in the 221-year history of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and the first father-son priests since Jesuits Virgil and Samuel Barber who served in the early 19^th century in what was then the Diocese of Baltimore.

Deacon Rapisarda, 62, raised four children with his late wife, Carol, in their Bel Air home. He was an attorney and permanent deacon prior to entering St. Mary’s Seminary & University in Roland Park to study for the priesthood.

The Mass of Ordination will take place at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore.

There are currently 197 diocesan priests actively serving in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. A total of 440 men are being ordained to the priesthood in the United States in 2010.

Media Notes:

The Mass of Ordination is rich in Catholic tradition and very visual: the new candidate for priesthood is presented to the bishop who asks about their intentions and worthiness to be ordained. The ceremony continues with the candidate prostrating himself while the congregation chants the Litany of Saints. Immediately following, the bishop through the ancient sign of ordination confers priesthood by laying hands on the candidate. Each priest present also lays his hands on the candidate. The new priest is then vested (Note: Father Greg Rapisarda will be vested by his son, Father John Rapisarda) in a stole and a chasuble (symbols of the priestly office) followed by the bishop presenting the bread and a chalice filled with wine, which is offered and consecrated at this Ordination Mass, the new priest’s first Mass.

It is requested that members of the media wishing to cover the ordination contact the Director of Communications in advance. Reporters/photographers are asked to dress in appropriate attire. Photographers will be given access via the side aisles of the Cathedral. So as not to obstruct the view of those in attendance, photographers will not be allowed in the center aisle, sanctuary (altar area), or the area in front of the altar.

Media parking is permitted on the side and lower lots (south) of the Cathedral. Media vehicles are not permitted to park on the driveway directly in front of the Cathedral.