Brother Nelson Henao Ordained to the Priesthood
Father Nelson Henao, Sch. P. was ordained to the priesthood in St. Norbert’s Church by Cardinal Justin Rigali, Archbishop of Philadelphia on March 27. He fulfilled his dream of joining the Piarist Fathers, the religious order of priests that conducts Devon Prep, with over 300 guests as witnesses, including Rev. Mario Vizcaino, Sch.P. the Provincial Superior of the Piarist Father’s USA Province, as well as priests, students, parents, alumni, family and friends.
Father Henao’s journey began 55 years ago in Bogota, Columbia where he was born the oldest of five children. He studied in Catholic schools throughout his childhood and as a young man he pursued studies in the Hotel and Restaurant Management field. In the late 1990’s, after many years of secular life, he went through a long process of rediscovering his faith and felt the call of God to serve His people. In 2002 he decided to enter religious life by joining the Piarist Fathers.
Rev. Henao studied philosophy at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami, and theology at the Gregorian University in Rome. In September of 2008 he came to Devon Prep where he began a new journey as a teacher of religion in the Middle School. In 2009 he was ordained to the Sacred Order of the Diaconate by Most Reverend Daniel E. Thomas, D.D. Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia
Father Nelson’s Ordination Mass included several ancient liturgical rites including the Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration. In the New Testament this gesture signifies the bestowal of the Holy Spirit on those receiving it. It has been one of the constant elements in the Rite of Ordination throughout the ages.
Another rite of symbolic significance is the investiture with the stole and chasuble. Father Nelson was vested in the stole, the sign of the priestly office, and chasuble, the Eucharistic garment, by Rev. Vizcaino.
In his homily, Cardinal Rigali told Father Nelson, “The joy you bring to your family is a sign of what your ministry is meant to bring to the entire people of God. As a priest,“ the Archbishop continued, “you will serve the people of God in so many relevant ways. There is no greater human fulfillment than to touch human hearts through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
In the past two years Father Nelson has touched the hearts of Devon Prep faculty, staff and families as well as many members of St. Norbert’s Parish. But perhaps those touched the most by his spirit are his students. They shared their thoughts in letters written for his ordination.
“Father, you taught me so much,” Sixth Grader Alex Bygrave wrote. “Even though I am not Catholic, I now truly believe in God’s presence… remember that God created you for this purpose. “
Eighth Grader Marco DiLeonardo wrote, “It has been a pleasure and an honor to have been part of your long journey. We are proud of you and your achievement. I am grateful to you for not only teaching me religion, but also many life lessons. We are blessed by the presence of such a caring and generous person like you.”
“Congratulations on becoming a priest! It will be exciting to see you serve Mass,” wrote Seventh Grader Andrew Hayden. “You will be very good at being a priest. I know it because a big part of being a priest is being a good person, and you are a great person!”