Please pray for
Luke Ditewig SSJE
Who will be ordained priest by
Alan Gates, Bishop of Massachusetts
On
Saturday, 12 December
Being the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
At 11:00 o’clock in the morning in the Monastery Chapel.
He will preside at the Holy Eucharist for the first time on
Tuesday, 15 December
At 5:30 in the afternoon in the Monastery Chapel.
Both services will be livestreamed at SSJE.org/chapel
Your prayers in the comments below and online presence are invited.
Blessings to you, Br. Luke. You have been so helpful during various retreats ; it was you who taught me how to decipher the order of prayers during my first retreat at the monastery. Your kindness and calmness were much appreciated.
Your sermons and daily words have guided me through the years. Such a joyful step.
Luke! What a gift to enjoy your wonderful ordination service this morning online even though I had to imagine some hand bells in there. My prayers along with so many others continue to be answered in your life and ministry. Thank you for pursuing your God-given passions which have led you to this day and to your various forms of ministry, beautifully unified where God has called you. It’s been a pleasure following you since your junior high years and enjoying your growth and many forms of joyful service. Thanks to your community for making your ordination service and program available to those of us unable to join you in person but absolutely with you in Spirit. Congratulations, Luke, and may God richly bless your community and our world through you. Very warmly, Scott Mann
PS It was fun to hear your bishop mention presbyters so we Presbyterians felt very included and are honored to have played a role in your story. 🙂
Dear “Cowboy” Luke! What a journey you have had and I am so proud of you! Each day you gain wonderful stories and I look forward to hearing them! As you move forward, know that we all enjoyed your time in Scottsbluff and the night you were “crowned” with a cowboy hat! I believe it was at the Humphrey’s house. I Cheers, applause and prayers for you this day Luke!
Luke, I am delighted that you have been priested today… I have memories of your coming to my ecumenical class at the Scottsbluff Presbyterian Church, and contributing to our discussions. I was not surprised when I heard you had become an Episcopalian (like me!) — the seed was already sprouting — but, as I learned years ago, labels don’t matter so much as having a chance to grow and serve with fellow Christians. God bless you and your ministry.
May your priesthood bring you joy, fulfillment and depth in the blessings of God. Amen.
Luke, what an unexpected joy and privilege to be able to participate remotely with your community in your ordination to the priesthood! So many comments point to such obvious patterns in the expression of your ministry – of presence, of simplicity, beauty, grace, intentionality and depth, and most especially of hospitality which encompasses them all. All of those were there too when we shared sabbath meals so many years ago! What a joy to see your path take you to this place…may God bless you richly in every way!
Jeremy and Sarah Joy Gabrielson
Brother Luke
I give thanks to God, who is so gracious to us all, for your devotion and intentionality in all your ministries. It is great to know you and see you today. My memories of times with you are among my favorites especially in the Holy Lands. May we see each other soon.
Blessings always
Prayers ascend – gratitude, Luke, for your priestly ministry and for the community of love -the circle as Brother James said – that sustains me and so many.
Love and peace,
Dear Br. Luke and all the Brothers of SSJE,
Having just celebrated with you all in the ordination ceremony… I can only say my heart is UPLIFTED in such a wonderful way. What a perfect time for this milestone in Luke’s life and the life of the monastery and the Church… at Advent… when we wait in such darkness particularly that this year has presented. The Light of Christ shone BRIGHTLY today.
Beaming for you Brother Luke. I have been so blessed with everything you’ve offered among your SSJE Brothers from the first day you arrived as a Class of One. Blessings for you today and always!
Rejoicing with you and your community this day, Luke! Praying for you on this occasion and as you continue in your ministry. With love from Michigan!
Thanks be to God for your vocation and your faithfulness in living into it. I will be praying along with you and all others via livestream at your ordination, and praising God for doing more than we can ask or imagine. Blessings!
Brother Luke,
Joyous news! Your enthusiasm and devotion are a true testament to your faith in God’s work in you and in the world. It was a blessing to get to know you through the Embodied Prayer online series where you opened our eyes and hearts to prayer that truly encompasses body, mind and soul. May God bless you and keep you as you continue on your journey.
Dear Luke,
We are blessed to be able to share the news of your Ordination! Your faithful walk, from a very early age, has been a confirmation of God’s Hand over you. One of my “heart treasured” memories is when you were 5 years old. We were on the bus for a field trip in Kindergarten. You pulled out a small Bible from your back pack and asked, “Where does the Bible talk about ‘putting on the full armor of God’?” You absorb The Word, and the Teachings in It, from so early on, and have been an inspiration from so early on as well. We join with your parents in this step of faith as you continue to bring Glory and Honor to God, through healing and caring for His.
With our hearts and prayers,
Mike and Karen
The Episcopal Church will be richer with your presence as clergy, Br. Luke. So happy to know this is happening.
Luke, You are loved by your mom and dad’s Small Group at Holy Trinity Church in Costa Mesa! Congratulations! Such a moment in time for you. Jennifer and Greta
I offer this blessing for Brother Luke from my favorite author and poet, John O’Donohue:
FOR PRIESTHOOD
May the blessings released through your hands
Cause windows to open in darkened minds.
May the sufferings your calling brings
Be but winter before the spring.
May the companionship of your doubt
Restore what your beliefs leave out.
May the secret hunger of your heart
Harvest from emptiness its sacred fruit.
May your solitude be a voyage
Into the wilderness and wonder of God.
May your words have the prophetic edge
To enable the heart to hear itself.
May the silence where your calling dwells
Foster your freedom in all you do and feel.
May you find words full of divine warmth
To clothe the dying in the language of dawn.
May the slow light of the Eucharist
Be a sure shelter around your future.
Luke — You are in our prayer as this new adventure shapes and colors your journey. To us, this seems so right for you, your brothers, and for all of us who have already been touched by your word and wisdom and will now know this new, physically tangible aspect of your self-offering. God bless.
Dear Brother Luke,
Many blessings to you as you consent to this call to serve as a presbyter of the church. I’m sorry not to be able to attend, but we will be electing the thirteenth bishop of Chicago on the same day. I will give thanks for your many gifts and pray that God will continue to work in and through you for building up your community and the wider church.
In Christ.
Every blessing on the occasion of both your ordination to the sacred priesthood and that of your First Mass.
Dear Brother Luke,
Such happy news! May our Lord bless you always.
Praying for you as you take this next step along your pilgrimage road, may God continue to bless you. Wonderful.
Dear Brother Luke, I remember when you first came to the monastery. You have always been such a lovely light whenever you were present. I remember you at the Guesthouse. You will bring great joy to many lives like mine that you will touch without even knowing. I am very happy for you and for the Monastery. All my best wishes , Marty Mauzy
Dear Luke,
Great rejoicing is swirling around you coast-to-coast! I am happy to share in the celebration and will buoy you up in prayer as you take this step to ordination as a priest.
Yours was a happy connection to make during my years worshipping in person at the Monastery (2009-2014). You were new to SSJE then, and you readily welcomed me, a fellow newcomer with shared California roots.
(Thank you BTW for the CA shout-out at the last FSJ zoom gathering. It was terrific to “drop-in” and find you hosting that event. And just yesterday on a morning beach walk I spontaneously practiced one of your embodied prayer techniques without inhibition!)
Luke, your kindness, ready smile, and steady presence there among the beloved Brothers shines such a warm, inviting light to all.
Thank you!
I wish you every blessing and peace,
Cynthia
So pleased to hear this news. We’ll be praying with you from SoCal on the 12th.
Good news, Brother Luke! Peace to you, now and always, and blessing on your ministry. Your encouraging presence in the embodied prayer workshop this fall modeled how to create fellowship online. Thank you for that.
Congratulations, Br. Luke! I’ll be praying for you in the coming days. Advent blessings to you, the brothers of SSJE, and the members of our Fellowship.
Brother Luke:
Your spirit has always reflected the hospitality of God; and what is priesthood if not a radical act of hospitality …a living stewardship of the gifts of God for the people of God? I pray the day is beyond what you can desire or pray for and our prayers go with you and the brothers as we join the community from afar.
Many blessings to you – as you have already blessed me in your meditations to-date. Looking forward to many more!
I met you at Emery House years ago and have followed your journey to ordination. I rejoice in my recent retirement from the diaconate, and was virtually present for your ordination as a transitional deacon. Congratulations and blessings on your priestly ministry. I look forward to a future encounter at Emery House, God willing.
What wonderful news! May God’s grace and blessing always precede and follow you. You are among the finest preachers I have ever heard, and I look forward to listening to your wisdom for many years. I shall attend among the livestream congregation. Prayers, peace and light.
What wonderful news, Brother Luke! You have been blessed with many gifts which I know you will continue to share abundantly. I cherished the retreats you led with the women of St. Paul’s Natick. I will share the good news of your upcoming ordination with our group! Oh happy day!
Luke you were so kind to me when I stayed at the monastery in Cambridge. You could tell that I was struggling with the worship notebook. Your kindness and the beauty of all of the singing and chanting have stayed with me. I bought some of your candles and they kept your kindness with me. God will bless you and the people you minister to wherever you are. I hope to be back to Cambridge while you are there.
I will pray all the way from Saltspring Island B.C. Canada
Such wonderful news, Bro. Luke. A blessed Advent and a joyous day of ordination. Your kindness, gentleness, and openness to all is a gracious gift and testimony of the Spirit’s work in your life.
I was among a group of chaperones who brought youth from First Baptist Church, Southern Pines, NC to the monastery for Compline and a Q and A with you a few summers ago. Such a rich experience. I’ve been blessed to go on retreat at SSJE in Cambridge on several occasions since then. Grace and peace from your Baptist friends in North Carolina.
I wish I could be there in person, but am happy the services will be live-streamed. Brother Luke, you will be a wonderful priest, a blessing to your brothers and all who have the good fortune to know you.
Bless your heart, Luke. Thank you for helping make known The Kingdom to so many. I look forward to witnessing your ordination on Saturday, the 12th. You are in my prayers.
Oh how exciting this is! I remember meeting Luke at Emery House in 2013.
God bless you! You are beloved and thank you for your blessed service to The Church!
Lee
Luke.. What wonderful news and what a gift to the people of God.. Please know I am holding you gratefully in the heart of my prayer!
What wonderful news! Brother Luke was the first monk who invited me into the SSJE, and I have fond memories of one of his workshops that involved a lot of paper and scissors and laughter as well as some serious spiritual introspection. His presence has always been a comfort and this is such an important step for him and the Monastery. May God’s blessings flow upon you, Brother Luke, now and always.
I am so pleased for you, Brother Luke and thrilled to be able to attend your live-streamed service of ordination. Though I haven’t met you, I have appreciated your “words” in my in-box from time to time. I was so pleased to learn that my words about being a deacon were quoted in the sermon at your ordination to the diaconate and look forward to witnessing this next step in you vocational journey. All blessings to you and to the SSJE community.
Dear Luke – What a privilege and joy it was to have been invited to companion you in spiritual direction earlier on in your monastic journey. I had no doubt then and none now that responding to the further leading to seek to serve the People of God as a priest would be a gift to the whole People of God. Please know that you are gratefully in my prayer .. Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe has had a special place in my heart since spending a week in Cuernavaca with a community of Benedictine sisters dedicated to her and to her promise to Juan Diego “oir y remedir” To Hear and to Heal”.. Not a bad motto for your priestly ministry.
Dear Luke
How wonderful – so happy for you!
I came by SSJE by chance 4 – 5 years ago (long and interesting story) and have received – and read – your emails every morning since then. It’s been an interesting journey. Different brothers, different approaches. After a while you get to know the different voices. I love your no nonsense, down to earth, positive and practical approach. Your message can be applied to everyday life without even thinking about it.
Thank you for sharing the Word in your unique way.
And if I may say so…
You rock! 🙂
With every good wish
Ann-Cath.
Washington DC/Norway (corona stuck with my family in Oslo 🙂
Blessings, Br. Luke! All who have the privilege of knowing you rejoice with you as you continue along the path the Lord has laid before you. What a lovely feast on which to celebrate your ordination as Priest! It will be a privilege to be with you via the technology that has helped us all to stay connected, to learn and to grow in wisdom, age and grace before God.
peace,
Elizabeth Clifford
(Chant retreatant Before Covid)
God bless you and your work as you continue on your journey serving our Lord
Congratulations and blessings, Br. Luke!
I am so excited for Luke and the rest of the community! I definitely remember my time fondly as an intern having discussions while we were doing work in the kitchen or folding laundry or just spending time chatting. I was overjoyed to be able to watch the ordination’s to the diaconate several months ago by zoom and I am even more excited to be able to watch and pray with the community as he is ordained to the priesthood.
Again, many prayers of thanksgiving and praise sent to Luke into the rest of the community! Looking forward to being there with you via livestream and in spirit!
On my first trip to SSJE for a retreat, Luke was the fist monk I met. He greeted me in the guest house and showed me the way to chapel which was about to begin Evening Prayer. He patiently explained how to follow the service. I remember his calm spirit and his smile as he led me through the book of service. I was made to feel at home and welcomed. I think Luke’s presence that evening was God’s gift to me. I was searching for a place to be; a place to learn, grow and worship. Br Luke provided that safe place with his smile and calmness and began my life long fellowship with SSJE. So I lift a big thank you and pray Luke’s journey of gently and calmly drawing people to Christ continues in his new priestly role.
Blessings to you Br. Luke. We met summer of 2013 while I was on sabbatical at Emery House and am thrilled to see this is where your journey has brought you! God be with you!
Prayers will be with you. I am a retiring Rector, recording our service for broadcast on Sunday. As soon as I finish – I plan to go to my office and join you online. December is also the month I was ordained a priest. Blessings, grace, peace and prayers are with you and all who gather that morning for this special, and holy moment.
Gods peace and blessings be with you Br. Luke.
Br. James +
Dear Luke, I am overjoyed by the news of your ordination. You have played an important part in my spiritual growth and I thank the Holy Spirit for you and for your mission. My God bless and protect you.
I remember my time with Brother Luke about 5 years ago fondly when I stayed at the Monastery for a weekend retreat. Congratulations for this wonderful accomplishment.
Luke, Congratulations (belated) on your ordination into the SSJE priesthood. Our prayer for you comes from the Apostle Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 that out of God’s glorious riches He will continue to make known to you the power of His Spirit in your inner being so Christ Jesus may dwell in your heart by faith with all of the fruits of His Holy Spirit; not only so Lord we pray that you being rooted & grounded in love may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now unto Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
Dear Brother Luke,
May your ordination to the presbyterate be an occasion filled with an awareness of the presence of God in your life and that of the Community. May you be a faithful pastor, priest and teacher and seek to empower the ministries and gifts of all the baptized.
Richard +
Archdeacon of Westminster & Vicar of Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral (New Westminster BC)
God Blessings and God Speed on the occasion of your ordination.
That is wonderful news. May God richly bless Br. Luke and lead him all the days of his life. I will pray for him on the 12th.
What joy! May the power and grace of the Virgin of Guadalupe bless you and abide with you.