Mass of Thanksgiving for Fr. Samuel Hansen

7 June 2026
St. Roch Catholic Church
Indianapolis, Indiana
Rev. Douglas Hunter

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
cf. John 6:51-58

My brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today is a day filled with gratitude, joy, and wonder. We gather on this beautiful Solemnity of Corpus Christi, when the Church celebrates the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, and we gather as a parish family to celebrate the Mass of Thanksgiving for our newly ordained priest, Father Samuel Hansen. [Applause.]

Something is fitting about these two celebrations coming together. The Eucharist and the priesthood are inseparable. The priesthood exists for the Eucharist, and the Eucharist sustains the priesthood. At every Mass, Christ continues His saving work through the hands and voice of a priest. Today, Father Samuel stands before us as one who has been configured to Christ the High Priest so that God's people may continue to receive the Bread of Life.

As we reflect on this day, I cannot help but think back over the years.

Samuel, I remember watching you grow up within this parish community. I remember seeing your faith develop, your gifts emerge, and your love for the Church deepen. I remember a conversation many years ago when I asked you whether you had ever considered a priestly vocation.

Your answer was simple.

"No."

And yet, as we all know, God often smiles at our plans.

What you did not fully see at the time was what the Holy Spirit was already doing. The Lord had begun planting seeds long before either of us recognized them. Quietly, patiently, and lovingly, God was at work within your heart. Like the mustard seed in the Gospel, those seeds were small and hidden. Yet through prayer, through family, through the sacraments, through the witness of faithful priests and parishioners, and through the countless ways God speaks to us, those seeds began to grow.

That is how vocations usually happen.

They rarely arrive with thunder and lightning.

More often, God whispers.

He invites.

He waits.

And then, at the right moment, He gives us the grace to say yes.

Today, as I look out at this congregation, I am reminded that Samuel's vocation is not his alone. Vocations are born within communities of faith. This parish has loved him, supported him, nourished him, encouraged him, and prayed for him every step of the way.

Many of you taught him in school.

Many of you watched him serve at Mass.

Many of you offered prayers for him during his years of formation.

Many of you sacrificed so that seminarians like Samuel could receive the education and formation necessary for priestly ministry.

This community has been part of God's work from the very beginning.

And today, we rejoice because we see the fruit of those prayers standing before us.

The Gospel today reminds us that Jesus says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven."

The Eucharist is not simply something priests do. The Eucharist is Someone priests serve. Every priest is called to spend his life bringing people to Jesus Christ, truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.

Samuel, today the Church entrusts you with a sacred responsibility. You will stand at altars and speak words that are not your own. You will hold in your hands the Bread of Life. You will baptize children, witness marriages, anoint the sick, forgive sins, bury the dead, and accompany countless souls through moments of joy and sorrow.

People will look to you not because you are perfect but because Christ has called you.

Never forget that.

The people entrusted to your care do not need a perfect priest.

They need a priest who loves Jesus.

They need a priest who prays.

They need a priest who knows the Good Shepherd and seeks to follow Him every day.

If you remain close to Christ in prayer and close to His people in charity, God will do remarkable things through your ministry.

And to all of us gathered here today, Father Samuel's ordination should remind us that God is still calling. The Lord continues to raise vocations from among His people. Let us never stop praying for priests, supporting seminarians, and encouraging young people to listen courageously to God's voice.

Samuel, on behalf of this parish family, thank you for your yes.

Thank you for trusting God's plan.

Thank you for allowing those seeds planted long ago to grow and mature into the vocation we celebrate today.

Know that this parish loves you.

We pray for you.

We support you.

We are proud of you.

And we look forward with great hope to the good work God will accomplish through you from the day of your ordination.

May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Priests, watch over you always. May she guide your steps, protect your vocation, and lead you ever closer to her Son.

And may Jesus Christ, whom you now serve as His priest, sustain you with His grace, strengthen you in every challenge, and fill your heart with joy for many years to come.