Archbishop Bernard Hebda is looking forward to the priestly ordination Mass May 25 at the Cathedral of St. Paul in St. Paul. He will ordain 13 men for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis during the 10 a.m. Mass, the largest number since 2005, when 15 men were ordained.

Archbishop Hebda described his joyful anticipation for the upcoming ordination to host Kayla Mayer during an episode of “Practicing Catholic.”

“It’s exciting, I think, for any bishop, but especially when you have the chance to be ordaining 13, it makes you particularly thrilled,” he said. “It’s one of those wonderful affirmations of how much God loves our Church, that he would be providing shepherds for us.”

It’s also a unique way in which he can be part of an infusion of new priests into the archdiocese, the archbishop said. “It’s one of the things that only a bishop can do,” he said. “I never feel more like a bishop than when I have the opportunity to ordain priests.”

While explaining the full ordination rite, Archbishop Hebda noted that what an ordinand makes isn’t the same as the vows that consecrated men and women make to their communities.

“For a diocesan priest, what they make is a promise,” he said. “There are seven promises. So, there’s this beautiful exchange between the ordaining bishop and the soon-to-be priests.”

They make some of the promises collectively and some individually by going up to the archbishop. As they make these promises, the congregation, in return, prays for them.

“There’s a beautiful litany of the saints,” Archbishop Hebda said. “It’s the way in which we ask all of the Church — both the Church present in the Cathedral, but also the Church triumphant — to be praying for these men, that they might be good priests.”

This year will be Archbishop Hebda’s ninth ordination Mass in the archdiocese. He continues to be impressed and inspired by the men who answer the call to holy orders.

“I’ve always had the experience where the men who are being ordained are so excited,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to witness their joy, and I find it contagious.”

To hear more about the upcoming ordination Mass, including Archbishop Hebda’s thoughts about his own priestly ordination in Pittsburgh, tune into the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. April 26 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. April 27 and 2 p.m. April 28.

Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes Mike Rios-Keating of Catholic Charities Twin Cities talking about a documentary featuring a program for those struggling with chronic alcohol addiction, and Deacons Joseph Wappes and Michael Maloney as they prepare to be ordained May 25 at the Cathedral.

Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.