By Becoming something better was what dad wanted

Deacon Buttner ordained to priesthood

By JEFF GRAHAM

Jeff Graham / The B.C. Catholic Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM, ordained Father Federico Buttner to the priesthood June 25 at Holy Name Church.

Father Federico Buttner says his dad always wanted him to be something better, and on Saturday he became just that. His journey to the priesthood culminated on June 24 at Holy Name Church with his ordination. He was welcomed warmly by dozens of priests from across the diocese as well as hundreds of well-wishers in the pews.

Ordained to the diaconate last year, Deacon Buttner waited patiently with his family at the front of the church as the priests processed toward the altar, his calm demeanour broken only by the occasional smile.

“Let Deacon Federico Buttner, who is to be ordained priest, please come forward,” said Archbishop Raymond Roussin, SM. “Present,” replied Deacon Buttner.

During the presentation, Father James Hughes testified to Deacon Buttner’s worthiness of the office of priest, to which the archbishop replied, “We rely on the help of the Lord God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, and we choose this man, our brother, for priesthood in the presbyteral order.”

The people responded, “Thanks be to God!”

Archbishop Roussin explained to Deacon Buttner that as a priest he would be his co-worker. “Priests are co-workers of the bishops, and called to serve God’s people,” he said. He told Deacon Buttner that as a priest he will continually be moulded into the image and likeness of Christ.

“Open the prison for those who are bound, and comfort the lonely,” he said to Deacon Buttner. “To be a blessing is what a priest is called to be.”

“We must offer ourselves up as body and blood for others,” the archbishop continued, “and as priests we have the power of the Spirit.”

Archbishop Roussin told Deacon Buttner of the gift he was giving to God and His Church. “The gift of self is a part of the daily sacrifice of the Eucharist, which you will celebrate for the first time tonight.”

Deacon Buttner was examined by the archbishop, after which he promised obedience to him and his successors.

All the faithful present were invited by the archbishop to pray. “My dear people, let us pray that the all-powerful Father may pour out the gifts of heaven on this servant of His, whom He has chosen to be a priest.”

Deacon Buttner lay prostrate before the altar while newly ordained Deacon Justin Huang, a friend and classmate from St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York, chanted the Litany of the Saints.

Standing alone, the archbishop prayed, “Hear us, Lord our God, and pour out upon this servant of Yours the blessing of the Holy Spirit and the grace and power of the priesthood. In Your sight we offer this man for ordination: support him with Your unfailing love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.”

The priestly powers were then conferred by the laying on of hands by the archbishop. All the priests present joined in the laying on of hands one by one, each saying a brief prayer.

Archbishop Roussin held his hands over Father Buttner again for the prayer of consecration, after which the new priest’s hands were anointed and he received the kiss of peace from all the priests.

As the priests embraced Father Buttner as a brother, he was greeted with comments that ranged from “Welcome aboard” to “The peace of Christ be with you.”

His ordination was met with a thundering standing ovation from the crowd, and when he addressed the congregation after the ordination he expressed his thanks for the support he had received. He named dozens of people who had helped him along the way.

Father Buttner was also well aware of the grand architect of his ordination. “My most sincere thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ,” he began.

An emotional Father Buttner then broke down in tears of joy, “I knew this was going to happen,” he said through his tears as the crowd again applauded.

He spoke of the role his deceased father has played in his journey. “My dad continues to provide an inspiration for me,” he said. “He told me he wanted me to be something better.”

Born in Mexico City in 1959, Father Buttner is fluent in Spanish. A former teacher at St. Patrick’s high school, he has a diploma in business administration in addition to his bachelor’s degree in education.

Father Buttner began his high school teaching career in Saskatchewan before moving to Vancouver. He said his faith went through a revival as a teacher. “In my second year of teaching, I was hired at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Sask., to teach Religious Education, where I began feeling a renewal of my calling to be involved in my faith,” he said.

Upon his arrival in Vancouver, he got more involved. He taught Catechism and RCIA, assisted with the Knights of Columbus, helped with ushering, and was a lector at Mass.

Father Buttner said a huge turning point in his faith came 10 years ago at a retreat. “I was asked to lead the RCIA retreat for my parish, and felt a real conversion which allowed me to finally say yes to follow the Lord as one of His priests.”

After the retreat, Father Buttner spent the next three years in preparation before entering the Seminary of Christ the King in 1998, after which he was transferred to St. Joseph’s Seminary in New York. He was ordained to the diaconate in Holy Name Church last year.