ATLANTA—Five men became the newest priests in the Atlanta Archdiocese after their solemn ordination ceremony with its sweet smelling oils, billowing clouds of incense and silent prayer.

The men were charged by Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory to be “ministers of mercy.”

The newly ordained are Father Brian Bufford, Father Jorge Carranza, Father Branson Scott Hipp, Father Timothy Edward Nadolski and Father Mark Thomas.

Friends and family on Saturday, June 27, filled the Cathedral of Christ the King with thundering applause as the men, vested for the first time in the robes of a priest, walked out after the lengthy ceremony.

Father Hipp, 26, is an “incredible, gentle and loving person,” said friend David Turk, who has known him since high school in Peachtree City.

(Facing the camera, l-r) Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, Bishop Luis Zarama and Bishop David Talley are the first to offer a sign of peace and welcome to Father Brian Bufford, Father Jorge Carranza and Father Branson Hipp, respectively. Photo By Michael Alexander

“I was kind of weepy,” said Mary Thomas, mother of Father Thomas. She and her husband, Jim, live in Franklin, North Carolina.

“It just seems like yesterday he said he was going to seminary. It’s too overwhelming. I’m too old for this,” said the 75-year-old with a smile on her face. She recalled her son, who is 53, explaining his midlife decision to pursue his religious vocation in a two-page letter.

“We thought he was going to be a teacher forever. Now he’s a different type of teacher,” she said.

The Gothic Peachtree Road cathedral was crowded with well-wishers. Nearly 90 priests and dozens of deacons led the way as the five men entered the mother church of the archdiocese. Auxiliary Bishops Luis R. Zarama and David P. Talley concelebrated the Mass. Archbishop Gregory was the principal celebrant. Father Tim Hepburn, vocations director, presented the candidates for ordination.

The rite included the candidates lying prostrate in front of the altar as a sign of humility as the gathering sang the Litany of the Saints; then Archbishop Gregory praying silently over each, with the laying on of hands, to consecrate them as priests; and, after the solemn rite, a long line of fellow clergy embracing the five with bear hugs, welcoming them to the brotherhood of priests.

Like all the proud parents, relatives and friends on hand to witness the rite of ordination (foreground to background), Martin and Bertha Carranza of Calhoun, Jorge’s parents, his younger brother Ivan from Acworth and his brother-in-law Victor Rivera watch the opening procession of clergy to the altar. Photo By Michael Alexander

Archbishop Gregory thanked the families and friends of the five “for the love given to them that prepared them for this day.”

In his homily, he reminded the men of Pope Francis’ call that priests and bishops should carry “the smell of the sheep.” He said they are “to identify with our people, to know them intimately, to understand their hearts and needs.”

He said the new priests should resist the “attractive allure of clericalism” that would make them think they are different from the people they serve.

“Priesthood is intended to make us more human and sensitive to the people that we tend rather than being better than or unlike them,” he said.

Pray daily and pay attention to God “in those casual moments when you open your heart to the voice of God,” Archbishop Gregory said. Look for role models in other priests, sisters and lay members of the church.

“Respect and admire them for the spiritual witness that they provide for the church and humbly learn from them,” he said.

“Priests are men who stand in the breach between heaven and earth,” he said.

Called to serve in a universal Church, he urged them to pay respectful attention to every culture’s beauty and dignity.

“The Good Shepherd shares with you today the safeguarding of his flock. Give it a shepherd’s care so that the one true Good Shepherd will one day reward you generously for your love and fidelity with eternal life,” he said.

Katrina recovery work led teacher to priesthood

The new priests range in age from 26 to 53 and several grew up in Georgia. Three began their seminary studies while college age, graduating from college seminaries before pursuing the master of divinity degree. Another was starting a business career when he decided to attend the seminary.

Mark Thomas, right, makes a promise of obedience to Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, left, and his successors. Photo By Michael Alexander

Father Thomas taught public school for nearly 20 years. A trip to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to help public schools reopen awakened a desire for priesthood.

“I would go to a local adoration chapel Friday evenings, praying for the children of the city, the families torn asunder by the flood, and for the Holy Spirit to show me what to do. New Orleans was necessary for me to become a priest,” Father Thomas said.

He began seminary study for the Archdiocese of New Orleans but transferred to the Atlanta Archdiocese.

“I had never had any course in my life in Latin, philosophy or theology, so there I was in August of 2009, at the age of 47, learning how to be a student again after years of being the teacher,” he wrote. “It challenged me to think and to pray as I had never thought and prayed before, to go beyond my self-imposed doubts. … With the help of a great teaching staff at Notre Dame Seminary, and much support from groups like the Serrans, the Knights of Columbus, and tremendous friendships both in and outside of the Church, God has placed me in the present moment.”

Chicago-born, 33-year-old Father Carranza said his initial interest in the priesthood was “a leap of faith.”

The bilingual priest looks forward to the ministry where he can focus on “breaking open the Word.”

Sandy Springs, Washington, Peachtree City vocations

A native of Atlanta, Father Nadolski, who is 26, attended Berry College, in Rome, expecting to earn a business degree. He transferred after a year to the Pontifical College Josephinum where he received degrees in Latin American studies and divinity. Father Nadolski said he matured in the seminary.

During the reception that followed the June 27 ordination, Father Timothy E. Nadolski, center, speaks with James and Sarah McNeil, parishioners at St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw. All three were members of the St. Pius X High School 2007 senior class. Photo By Michael Alexander

“Looking back to when I was 19 is at times laughable,” he wrote. “The Holy Spirit has been at work over the last seven years in seminary. … Over these years, I have continually grown to realize that it is less about me and more about God and his people.”

The past year as a transitional deacon has including preaching and baptizing.

“I have been blessed to baptize around 50 children. It is such a beautiful time in the life of the Church to receive a new member, and it is a particularly graced moment for me to be bringing that child into God’s family.”

Indeed, he baptized the daughter of Sarah and James McNeil, high school friends from his days in the St. Pius X drama club. He is also a St. Jude School graduate.

Both said the new priest’s sense of humor will serve him well.

“He can break the ice. He’s very lighthearted. He doesn’t take himself too seriously,” said James McNeil, 26, who is soon to be starting with the Atlanta Fire Department. The family attends St. Catherine of Siena Church, Kennesaw.

Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory, left, presents the chalice and paten, a sign of the new priest’s office, to Father Branson Hipp. Father Hipp will assume his first assignment as parochial vicar at St. Patrick Church, Norcross. Photo By Michael Alexander

Father Hipp grew up in Holy Trinity Church in Peachtree City, where he was active in the youth group. The son of an engineer, Father Hipp thought about becoming a seminarian during his senior year of high school. He has learned Spanish during eight years of seminary.

“One of my greatest joys has been the opportunity to learn Spanish and work with the Hispanic community in Atlanta. The vast majority of the baptisms I have done have been in Spanish and were incredibly beautiful events,” he wrote.

His friend Turk said they were joking around recently, reminiscing about their days in Starr’s Mill High School in Peachtree City. Turk said his friend was always attentive to faith, attending daily Mass. By his senior year, the course was set, he said.

“He’s genuine. He always has something of comfort to say to you when you need it,” said Turk, a high school math teacher, who was waiting in line with his girlfriend to receive the new priest’s blessing.

The ordination candidates (foreground to background) Brian Bufford, Branson Hipp, Mark Thomas, Timothy E. Nadolski and Jorge Carranza sit before the altar during the singing of the responsorial psalm. Photo By Michael Alexander

Father Bufford’s ordination fulfills a long-sought desire, originating in high school.

A year and a half after graduating from Augusta State University, he entered St. Mary of the Lake Mundelein Seminary outside Chicago. It’s been affirming and fulfilling ever since, he said.

This past year since his ordination to the diaconate has reinforced that calling. “The diaconate has been a period where God has deepened my desire to minister to his people,” Father Bufford said.

Webb Bufford said his son has talked about being a priest since he was a youngster, along with being an astronaut, a veterinarian, and other career ambitions of the young. But consistently, he’d mention his dream of being a priest.

“It was like floating on clouds,” said Bufford about watching the ordination.

More than a dozen people from the new priest’s home parish, St. Joseph Church, in Washington, traveled the nearly two hours for the ceremony.

“It was just one of those moments in time you’ll never forget,” his father said.