By EMMA BARTLETT

The Diocese of Providence welcomed Deacon Mark Gadoury to the priesthood Saturday at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence. While completing his seminary studies for the past year, Gadoury has served as a deacon at Saint Paul’s Church in Cranston.

“It was a joy to see Father Gadoury ordained,” said Father Thomas Woodhouse, St. Paul’s pastor. “I was his Spiritual Director at Our Lady of Providence Seminary for two years and I got to know him well through that. He quickly won the hearts of all the parishioners at St. Paul’s and many of them attended his ordination at the Cathedral and his First Mass of Thanksgiving the following day at his home parish in Cumberland.”

Gadoury started serving as a deacon at St. Paul’s in May of 2021. During that time, Woodhouse said he assisted at most of the masses, baptized many of the church’s new parishioners, brought Holy Communion to the homebound, assisted with the church’s monthly Growing In Faith Together GIFT program, assisted at the parish youth group meetings, performed graveside services and was handy at fixing minor “household” and internet problems on the campus buildings.

“He will be missed at St. Paul’s but one of the great things about our diocese is that it is small, so I’m sure we will see him again at many of the diocesan events in the future,” Woodhouse said.

Bishop of Providence Thomas Tobin conferred the Sacrament of Holy Orders on June 4.

“We – all of us – are proud of you and very grateful to you for your willingness to respond to God’s call, to God’s voice, with success a generous and willing heart,” said Tobin during his homily.

He said ordination stands as a significant and life changing moment. 

“Today dear brother Mark, you are joining the ranks of the priests who have served this diocese from the very beginning – for 150 years. We urge you in the name of Jesus to be a good priest who works hard and is faithful to the promises you renew here today,” Tobin said.

Tobin called Gadoury before him for the Rite of Ordination, followed by the Promise of the Elect where Gadoury expressed that he would carry out the office of the priesthood in accord with the mind of Christ and the church – under the bishop’s direction.

Priests from local parishes took part in the most ancient part of the rite, known as laying of hands and prayer of ordination. Tobin laid his hands on Gadoury’s head, followed by the other priests as a sign of sharing in the priesthood.

Father Norman Bourdon, Saint Joan of Arc Parish’s pastor, assisted Gadoury with the vesting of the stole and chasuble; the stole, which is worn around the neck, is a symbol of the priestly office.

After the fraternal kiss of peace where Tobin and the present priests extended their support for Gadoury, Gadoury joined Tobin on the altar to carry out the remainder of the mass.

“Mark, today the Lord says to you open your heart, your mind and soul to receive the Holy Spirit,” Tobin said.

Gadoury ended the ordination by imparting his first priestly blessing to Tobin and his family.

Gadoury is a Cumberland native and the son of Cheryll Gadoury and the late Paul Gadoury. His two sisters – Rachel and Rebecca – performed the first and second readings at Saturday’s ordination. Growing up, Gadoury attended Cumberland High School and went to Saint Joan of Arc Church. He is an alumnus of Saint John’s Seminary (Brighton, Massachusetts), University of Rhode Island and Providence College.

The Diocese of Providence currently has 16 other seminarians who are in school and on their way to the priesthood.