Father Felix Augustin, O.S.B., September 1, 2012

[click picture to enlarge]
Father Felix Augustin, O.S.B., lies prostrate before the abbey church altar. 
This practice shows his true and lasting relation to God and
the humble state of his heart for the priest's labors ahead

Saint Leo Abbey monk, Brother Felix, was ordained a Catholic priest Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 5:00 pm at the abbey church.  Bishop Lynch of the Diocese of Saint Petersburg presided at the ordination and Mass which was also celebrated by Abbot Isaac Camacho, O.S.B., the abbey's sixth abbot, and Monsignor Roderick Strange who is Rector of the Pontifical Beda College in Rome where Brother Felix studied.


Members of Father Felix Augustin's family, including his mother, attended the ceremony. 

Bother Felix is known throughout the community as the monk who takes care of the abbey facilities and orange groves --- and feeds the abbey cats.  His humble heart will serve Father Felix well.   

Many of Brother Felix's friends attended the ordination and several Oblates were present -- for some it was the first ordination they had attended.

Dr. John Paul Cappa and the Choir from Saint Mark the Evangelist Parish, New Tampa, sang during the Mass -- they were excellent. Everything the Choir sang helped raise our hearts to God, I especially liked the Litany of the Saints.    

A group of the Knights of Columbus also came, helping to bring their special dignity and honor to the ordination.  

Here are some videos and photos of the ordination:

 Above video: Monks process in
abbey church to begin
the ordination ceremony.

Above video: Father Felix
lies prostrate before abbey
church altar 

 Above video:  Newly ordained
Father Felix, Abbot Isaac,
Bishop Lynch, and Monsignor
Roderick Strange honor
Father Felix's dear mother

Above Video: Monks process
out of abbey church at end of the ordination

Click on any picture below to enlarge it

 

 A humble heart before God

Father Felix kneels 

Taking up part of Father Felix's vestments

Presenting part of Father Felix's vestments

Father Felix kneels before Bishop Lynch.  Abbot Isaac is on left,
Monsignor Roderick Strange on the right

Father Felix's brother monks greet him 

C.S.P.B. stands for
Cross of our Holy Father Benedict
("Crux Sancti Patris Benedicti")

Abbot Isaac, Bishop Lynch, Father Felix
at Saint Leo Abbey Church

AMEN

Newly ordained Father Felix, Abbot Isaac,
Bishop Lynch, and Monsignor Roderick Strange 

honor Father Felix's dear mother. 
She received applause from the church and monks

Father Felix and his family

One of the first blessings given by Father Felix

Congratulations from an Oblate friend 

Father Felix has a good sense of humor

After the ceremony -- in front of the abbey church.

Father Felix Augustin, O.S.B.

September 1, 2012

A memorable day in its 123 year history.
Night and Compline at Saint Leo Abbey.

"Behold now bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord: Who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the night lift up your hands to the holy places, and bless ye the Lord.  May the Lord out of Sion bless thee, he that made heaven and earth."  Psalm 133