Father Stephen (Brian) Lawson, O.S.B., a member of the Saint Anselm monastic community, was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Reverend Peter A. Libasci, Bishop of Manchester, on Saturday, October 14 in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church.
The culmination of many years of monastic formation and four years of seminary training, Fr. Stephen’s ordination signifies his place in the holy priesthood of Jesus Christ.
Father Stephen was presented for ordination by Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B., Abbot of Saint Anselm Abbey.
Following the Litany of the Saints and the Prayer of Consecration, Father Stephen was invested with the priestly stole and chasuble by Abbot Mark Cooper, O.S.B.
During the ordination Father Stephen experienced, “a flood of emotions when Bishop Peter placed his hands over my head and anointed my hands. I was filled with joy and relief. Throughout the ceremony, I was thinking about the example of St. Stephen, my patron, and the Little Flower."
During the Rite of Ordination, Bishop Libasci offered words of instruction and encouragement: “My son, you are now to be advanced to the order of the presbyterate. You must apply your energies to the duty of teaching in the name of Christ, the chief Teacher. Share with all mankind the word of God you have received with joy. Meditate on the law of God, believe what you read, teach what you believer, and put into practice what you teach.”
Reflecting on his ordination, Father Stephen noted, "Being ordained a priest is the culmination of years of work, with many ups-and-downs. I am excited to begin exercising the sacraments for the Saint Anselm community.”
Music for the liturgy was offered by a combination of the Saint Anselm College Choir, the Saint Joseph’s Cathedral Choir, the Diocese of Manchester Festival Choir, and the Saint Joseph Cathedral Brass and Timpani. Music direction was provided by Mr. Eric Bermani, Saint Anselm College Director of Liturgical Music & Director of Music for the Diocese of Manchester.
Father Stephen completed his seminary studies by earning a Masters of Divinity at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Saint Meinrad, Indiana. The Rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary, Father Denis Robinson, O.S.B., represented the seminary at the ordination. Brother James Jensen, O.S.B. represented the monastic community of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.
On Sunday October 15, Father Stephen celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving in the Saint Anselm Abbey Church. Father Denis Robinson, O.S.B., rector of Saint Meinrad Seminary, served as the homilist.
Originally from Holyoke, Massachusetts, Father Stephen graduated from Saint Anselm College in 2008 with a degree of Bachelor of Arts in Politics. Upon graduation he worked as a reporter for PolitickerNH.com and the Live Free or Die Alliance. He joined the monastic community as a postulant in January 2010. Father Stephen professed his solemn monastic vows during the summer of 2014. Beginning in Fall 2017, Father Stephen is a Campus Minister at Saint Anselm College.
>>View Photos from the Ordination
>>View Photos from the First Mass of Thanksgiving
Photos Taken by Dachowski Photography