Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

On May 31, Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre ordained Father Patrick Cole McDowell to the priesthood at the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville. The ordination took place during a morning Mass on the feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Archbishop Fabre expressed gratitude to Father McDowell’s family and those who traveled from Bardstown, Kentucky, which he described as “the seedbed of Deacon Cole’s faith and his vocation.”

Father McDowell, aged 31, grew up attending the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral and graduated from St. Joseph School and Bethlehem High School in Bardstown. He is set to begin his role as associate pastor at St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, starting July 1.

The ceremony was attended by numerous priests, deacons, seminarians, family members, and friends of Father McDowell. In his homily, Archbishop Fabre highlighted “the essential bond between priests and the Blessed Virgin Mary,” stating that she is “the Mother of God; she is the Mother of the Church, and she is also the Mother of Priests.”

He quoted “Presbyterorum Ordinis,” a decree from the Second Vatican Council on priestly ministry: “Let priests love and venerate with filial devotion and veneration this mother of the Eternal Highpriest, Queen of Apostles and Protector of their ministry.” Archbishop Fabre urged Father McDowell to seek graces from Mary as a “beloved child of God” and “child of Mary.”

Archbishop Fabre concluded by saying that Father McDowell's ordination offers an opportunity for everyone present to embrace "the love of our blessed Mother," particularly for priests.