In an age-old ritual filled with symbolism, six men were ordained to the priesthood June 3 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels.

The six --- four for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and two Missionaries of the Holy Spirit who will serve in Los Angeles --- answered "here" or "presente" as they were called by name from the congregation gathered at the Cathedral. Each candidate for ordination then walked down the aisle, bowed in reverence and took his place to the side of the altar.

As the rite of ordination continued each of the candidates made promises of faithfulness, received the laying on of hands, were vested with stole and chasuble as signs of their priestly ministry, received an anointing of hands and a greeting of peace from their fellow priests.

In his homily Cardinal Roger Mahony shared that he had recently gone to the internet, "googled" two words --- commencement and sacrifice --- and to his amazement found only a few "hits." But, he noted, while most do not associate commencement with sacrifice, the words ordination and sacrifice in the Catholic tradition go hand in hand, as suggested in the readings for the ritual.

In the Gospel (John 15), the apostle reminds all that "there is no greater love than this: to lay down your life for your friends" --- "to make the world holy," Cardinal Mahony said. "Sacrifice helps to make holy."

In the second reading Peter exhorts his followers to use their gifts "to serve one another as good stewards" and that in today's world one of the main functions of the priest is "to call forth the talents of the people they serve" --- and that takes sacrifice, as well, said the cardinal. And in the first reading (Jeremiah) is the reminder to "have no fear" and that "in all of priestly ministry, God is calling you forth," he told the newly ordained.

"But nothing is more sacred than putting the chalice and paten in your hands to perform that sacrifice daily and to share in the Eucharist in the fullest sense… Today is the day when the word sacrifice will be part of your lives."

Those newly ordained for the archdiocese are Fathers John Paul Gonzalez, Paul Gerard Griesgraber, Francis Rodel Ilano and Paúl Velázquez Martin. They will serve, respectively, at St. John of God Church, Norwalk; St. Andrew Church, Pasadena; St. John Vianney Church, Hacienda Heights; and St. Mariana de Paredes Church, Pico Rivera.

The new Missionaries of the Holy Spirit priests are Fathers Gerardo Cisneros, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Oxnard, and Gustavo Valadez, of St. Martha Church, Huntington Park. Father Cisneros will promote vocations for the religious order, while Father Valadez will serve at St. Martha.

Following the liturgy, the newly ordained priests met family and friends in the Cathedral plaza and offered first blessings. Despite a very hot sun, many of those who attended the ordination waited nearly an hour to receive a blessing, their joy overcoming any discomfort.

Lourdes Untalam of St. Bernard Church, Bellflower, waited to be blessed by Father Ilano, whom she has known since he was a young altar boy. Untalam said simply, "I think he'll be the people's priest."

Added fellow parishioner Peggy Romer: "He's such a beautiful person and I think that light will shine to all the people he serves. He'll be a wonderful example for them and a great leader."

As transitional deacons prior to ordination, the six men served in various parishes throughout the archdiocese. Father Valadez had served St. Finbar Church in Burbank where he impressed many, including Elmar Castillo, who with his wife congratulated Father Valadez and received a blessing from him.

"I think he will be a very good priest," said Elmar, "and he will be able to touch other people's lives."