June 21, 2025

Hundreds gather for ordination of Father John Williams

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

 SPRINGFIELD – With great joy, family and friends filled St. Michael’s Cathedral for the ordination Mass of Father John Williams, Saturday June 21, the first priest to be ordained in the diocese since 2020. Bishop William D. Byrne, who directs the Office of Vocations, was the principal celebrant for the Mass. Brother priests, deacons, religious and Catholics from across the Diocese of Springfield were also in attendance. 

 

“You must be a faithful witness of Jesus’ presence in the world,” Bishop Byrne told Father Williams in his homily. The bishop spoke of three saints who were also soldiers: St. George; St. Martin of Tours and St. Longinus.

 

“St. George reminds our soon to be Father John, that faith in Jesus Christ gives us the power to overcome darkness. And the priest is called to lead us in that, to bring light to the shadows of our culture,” he said.

 

Father Williams attended Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Mass, and completed his undergraduate degree while in the U.S. Marine Corps. He left the prestigious William and Mary College in Virginia at the age of 20 years old. It was post 9-11 and Father Williams wanted to serve his country. He did two tours of duty in Iraq. In 2005, he was sent to Fallujah where his older brother, a lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps was also serving.

 

Because Father Williams is a Marine, Bishop Byrne ended his homily by saying, “Be a saint and a Marine for the Lord. Oorah,” which is a battle cry used by the U.S. Marine Corps.

 

Father Williams grew up in a large, devout Catholic family outside of Washington, D.C. He is the youngest of 15 children and all but one of his siblings were in attendance. His father was a pediatrician and a widower with 10 children. A priest introduced his father and mother, and they had five more children.

 

“It is such a privilege to watch him. We are so happy for him. We are so happy for the diocese. And this is a big day for our family,” said Jenny Zichelli, Father Williams’ sister. She and their sister Joan Eccleston said the day was both joyful and emotional.

 

“I was so happy for him. This is what he has been working towards for so many years. This is his vocation and it’s finally come to fruition for him,” added Eccleston.

 

The ordination rite begins with the calling of the candidate as the bishop asks about his worthiness to be ordained to the Order of the Priesthood. Following the homily, Bishop Byrne asked a series of questions. Father Williams made a promise of obedience and then lay prostrate on the altar as a sign of total submission to God, as the congregation sang the Litany of Saints. This was followed by the laying on of hands, the most solemn part of the ceremony.

 

“I feel very blessed,” Father Williams said following the Mass. “When this is what you were called to be, what God intended for you, you’re at peace,” he said.

 

Many teenagers from across the Diocese of Springfield were present including members of the Diocesan Youth Leadership Team, the Matthew Five Berkshire County Youth Group and youth from Franklin County. Father Williams has been involved in youth ministry in the diocese attending the Steubenville East retreats, helping at Bible camps, and assisting with other youth ministry and young adult events.

 

“God is calling us to great things,” Father Williams said of the young people of the diocese. “They may not know it right now, but if they keep praying, coming to church and being with their friends in youth group, God will show them in time their vocation.

 

“I often think of the quote from Blessed Carlo Acutis when he says God makes everyone originals, but many people are satisfied with photocopies. We’re all called uniquely. We’re all the result of a thought of God, each of us is willed, loved and necessary and I would just encourage our youth to embrace that,” he said.

 

Father Williams has been assigned parochial vicar at Blessed Trinity Parish in Greenfield. Currently there are five men in priestly formation for the Diocese of Springfield.

A video version of this story will be on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. on WWLP-22 NEWS.