Isaac McCracken ordained to the priesthood
Isaac McCracken lies prostrate during the Litany of the Saints. (NTC/Kevin Bartram)
There’s a compelling reason why Andres Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, and Jacob Smith climbed out of bed early on the morning of May 24, traveled to downtown Fort Worth, and then stood outside St. Patrick Cathedral waiting for the doors of the historic church to open. A young man they look up to was about to dedicate his life to God and the Church.
Isaac Joseph McCracken spent his pastoral year working at their parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Keller. Now the teenagers were eager to watch Bishop Michael Olson ordain the 27-year-old transitional deacon to the priesthood during a solemn Mass steeped in centuries-old rituals.
“I’m an altar server, so I spent a lot of time with Deacon Ike around the church,” explained Lucas Hernandez, a 17-year-old high school graduate bound for Ave Maria University. “He was always very reverent and stepped in when needed. I remember one time the priest was sick, and he ended up giving the homily. It was pretty good.”
Attending the ordination Mass was a first-time experience for all three boys.
“Deacon Ike set a good example for us,” Hernandez continued. “That definitely makes you think about a vocation to the priesthood or religious life.”
A new beginning
The ordination of Isaac McCracken to the Sacred Order of the Priesthood is the culmination of seven years of study, discernment, and prayer for the Arlington native who once thought of becoming an economics professor.
A recent graduate of the Theological College at Catholic University of America where he earned a master of divinity, sacred theology baccalaureate, and graduate certificate in Latin, the former St. Vincent de Paul parishioner is beginning his new ministry at the same time the universal Church welcomes a new pope, Leo XIV, the former American Cardinal Robert Prevost.
“I’m really hopeful — getting a new pope for the Church and, at the same time, entering the priesthood,” said Father McCracken, assigned to serve Holy Family Parish in Fort Worth. “I’m feeling pretty excited about it.”
Before pursuing his vocation, the son of Joann and Gary McCracken spent two years at the University of Texas at Arlington and became active in the University Catholic Community on campus. His decision to enter the seminary in 2018 is a commitment he continued to make, “one day at a time, one year at a time.”
An overwhelming experience
Sharing that journey were his parents who raised Isaac and older brother, Liam, in a typical Catholic home. Educated in public schools, their sons attended religious education classes, vacation Bible school, and went to Mass with the family.
Isaac’s determination to study for the priesthood surprised the couple.
“It’s a sacrifice, but we’re so proud of him,” his mother said, listing the traits that will make her offspring a good priest. “He listens. He’s kind and very, very smart. But most of all, he cares and wants people to do well.”
Witnessing her son’s hands consecrated with holy chrism after years in the seminary was overwhelming.
“It’s been a long journey, but we’re ready for it, and I know Isaac is ready for it,” McCracken enthused. “In order for the Church to move forward, it needs good, young priests who have courage and compassion. It needs that to make the world a better place.”
Brimming with joy
Addressing the congregation at the start of the ordination liturgy, Bishop Olson offered words of gratitude to the ordinand’s parents, relatives, and seminary representatives.
“I want to thank Joann and Gary McCracken, the mother and father of our candidate, for their support for Isaac throughout his life, faith formation, vocation, and seminary studies,” the bishop said before recognizing extended family members. “You traveled a great distance to join us today. Your presence here is especially important and a cause for great happiness.”
In his homily, Bishop Olson said the hearts of the local Church are “brimming with joy and hope” because of the ordination of a new presbyter.
“Christ has given us priests to the Church as shepherds after His own heart,” he told the 625 worshippers who filled the cathedral. “Priests are called to protect His flock by outflanking and undercutting the devious wolves of today not through greater cunning, but through guileless simplicity and the selfless love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The leader of North Texas Catholics explained a priest’s ministry is to establish, maintain, and repair the bond between Christ and His people through Eucharistic prayer, preaching, and a merciful presence in the confessional.
“We as priests, even as fragile and earthen vessels, are called to lead by setting an example of discipleship, selfless service, and the mercy required of all the baptized,” he added.
The homilist implored his fellow priests to welcome Father McCracken into their ranks.
“Let us care for each other and watch over ourselves so that we might care for the whole flock of which the Holy Spirit has appointed us overseers,” he concluded.
An ancient ritual
The Rite of Ordination continued with the elect expressing his willingness to accept the responsibilities that come with ordination. Promises of respect and obedience to the bishop and his successors were then made by the soon-to-be priest.
In a visually striking moment that symbolizes a man’s dependence on God and unworthiness for ministry, Dcn. McCracken prostrated himself before the altar as the congregation chanted the intercessory Litany of the Saints.
The most solemn part of the ordination ceremony followed with the Laying on of Hands. With a gesture first used by the Apostles in the election of the first deacons in the Church (Acts 6:6), Bishop Olson placed his hands on the head of the ordinand and silently prayed to invoke the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Other priests then approached the newly ordained presbyter with the same gesture to signify they all belong to one priesthood with Jesus Christ.
With help from Father Philip Brembah and Father James Flynn, Fr. McCracken was vested with a stole (a sign of his priestly office) and chasuble (the vestment worn for the celebration of the Mass). Kneeling before the bishop again, his hands were anointed with sacred chrism to symbolize new authority to consecrate the Eucharist and administer sacraments.
A chalice and paten, carried to the altar by his parents, was presented to the new priest by the bishop with the words, “Receive the oblation of holy people to be offered to God. Understand what you will do. Imitate what you will celebrate and conform your life to the mystery of the Lord’s cross.”
The Liturgy of the Eucharist was then celebrated by the Bishop with Fr. McCracken taking a prominent role.
Kind and caring
Gene and Rebecca Livens were among the guests invited to the Ordination Mass. The couple are members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and have known the new priest since he was a young boy.
“I think he’s going to be a wonderful priest,” said Gene Livens, who was Fr. McCracken’s confirmation sponsor and Boy Scout leader. “His actions and presence always showed great leadership.”
As a youth, Isaac McCracken was an Eagle scout and recipient of Ad Altare Dei emblem awarded to Catholic scouts who exhibited spiritual and personal growth.
“He was always kind and caring. You could see that in his mannerisms,” Livens added.
Promoting vocations
Bruce Mallory attended the ordination representing the St. John Paul II Shepherd’s Guild, the Serra Club, and Knights of Columbus. All three organizations encourage and support vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
“Without seminarians studying to be priests, there would be no Eucharist. There would be no Church,” observed the St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner. “We hope to promote religious vocations as a noble and worthy aspiration for young people.”
Mallory recently spoke to 25 young men at a diocesan discernment event where the longtime Knight heard a seminarian say, “An occupation can never supersede a vocation.”
“That’s a classic way to view this,” he added. “Vocations are so important, yet people tend to put making money or material things ahead of it. At the end of the day, what’s more important?"
Have courage
Seminarian Nicholas Hoelscher, who will begin second year of theology studies in August, was happy to see his friend and mentor become a priest in the diocese.
“It gives me hope for my own future,” said the 30-year-old who attended the Theological College in Washington, D.C., along with Fr. McCracken. “He really took on a leadership role there and made sure the other seminarians were okay.”
His advice to other young men considering a vocation is succinct: have courage.
“Fear is the death of love,” the St. Joseph parishioner stressed. “You have to have courage to give of yourself in this way. You can’t love if you’re afraid.”