Priestly Ordination of Gerry Baumgartner, SJ

It was a very « Gerry » weekend with a mix of things that only Gerry’s life could bring together, a convergence of universes and peoples and languages and places. After leaving his regency ministry in Homs for Innsbruck and theology studies, the time finally came for Gerry’s priestly ordination at the Jesuit church in Innsbruck, surrounded by friends and family from all over Europe and, of course, Syria. Following the ordination itself – presided over by Michael Cardinal Czerny SJ – this lively diversity was on full display in the long line of guests waiting for his blessing after his first Mass – even the Provincial had to wait until another time to get his blessing. 

Even more than the oud playing during the Friday night prayer service or the Arabic hymn during the ordination Mass’ offertory, the biggest PRO-province imprint on the weekend was the blessing Gerry received just after the ordination Mass. In a sea of conservative suit jackets, courteous handshakes and careful lines for pictures with the ordinands, Gerry was suddenly surrounded by his friends from Homs – now completing masters, doctorates and/or seeking asylum around Europe – who pressed in on him and began shouting / singing a blessing in a crowd of bewildered Austrians. The rest of the crowd had no idea what was happening. But Gerry seemed to know it was coming and I couldn’t have imagined a more joyful expression on his face. Deacon in Homs and priest now in Innsbruck, this blessing is the world he’d be returning in just a few more weeks – back to work. 

Before his trip back to Syria, however, Gerry first had to bring the ordination full-circle. The young people who attended the ordination were joined by nearly a dozen other Syrians in Europe, and Gerry led them up into the mountains for days of reunion and retreat, giving them a taste of his former life of long hikes and stunning summits – and of course prayer in mountain cabins. Congratulations, Gerry – thank you for being the bridge that you are, and may your priesthood be a bridge for many years to come! 

Fr. Garrett Gundlach, S.J.