PRIEST PROFILE

When he established the Order of Preachers, St. Dominic was charting a new course. The Church needed itinerant preachers who were equipped to carry the authentic Gospel message far and wide.

In a vision, Dominic received an instruction: “Go and preach because you have been chosen by God for this work.” This call continues to resonate in the life of every member of the Dominican Order. And that includes Dominican Father Nicholas Lombardo.

“One of the modern misconceptions about the Gospel is the common stereotype that Christian teachings are in conflict with our desires,” explains Father Lombardo. “But, in reality, the Gospel is the only thing that can respond to our deepest desires. The New Evangelization involves presenting the Gospel as what it is: fresh, exciting, an adventure.”

Father Lombardo explains that he was drawn to the preaching charism of the Dominicans because “I loved to think and discuss matters of faith with others, Christian and non-Christian.”

Originally from Boston, Father Lombardo grew up amidst a multi-ethnic and multi-religious backdrop, eventually studying philosophy in the secular atmosphere at Brown University in Providence, R.I. Drawing from his experiences, he often discussed philosophical and theological questions with students of different backgrounds and beliefs.

He did not grow up specifically thinking he would become a priest, however. His faith had deepened at a confirmation retreat where he learned about Mary's apparitions at Medjugorje, but thoughts of a religious vocation did not seriously occur to him. Later, his cousin entered the Jesuits, making the priesthood more of a real possibility to him. Still, the idea remained in the background.

In college, he began to consider becoming a priest, thanks in part to the campus ministry and a Catholic discussion group on campus. “The faith of the other students was deeper than mine and it rubbed off on me,” he recalls.

Responding to his call has been an ongoing process. His solemn vows as a Dominican, and later his ordination to the priesthood in May of 2004, were “moments of definitive commitment,” he says. “But a vocation involves saying Yes to God continuously, knowing that he's with you all the way.”

Mysteries Unleashed

Of course, everyone is invited to this ongoing commitment through the universal call to holiness, something Father Nicholas sees as one of the most important teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Yet he also recognizes the supernatural distinction of the priestly vocation.

“When I'm administering a sacrament,” he says, “there's something mysterious going on there.”

“Father Nicholas is pastorally effective because his ministry flows from the celebration of the sacraments in the Church's life, especially the Eucharistic liturgy,” says the Father Dominic Izzo, OP, prior provincial for the Province of St. Joseph.

At St. Gertrude Parish in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he is an associate pastor, Father Lombardo also hears confessions regularly.

“This is a great gift of the Catholic priesthood because it makes you more aware of how people can accept the teaching of the Church but still struggle with it,” he says. “This helps me to give consolation and encouragement when I'm preaching.”

In addition to preaching and administering the sacraments, he serves as chaplain for a group of Third Order Dominicans, confessor for Cincinnati's Theology on Tap series, a guest speaker at Catholic events and part of the organizational team for a youth conference to be held in Cincinnati next spring.

Father Lombardo is also the spiritual director of a flourishing group for “twentysomethings.”

“Focusing on young adults has borne a lot of fruit,” he says. “I am confident that once people start doing that in more places, there will be an explosion of young adult ministry.”

City Builder

In May 2005, Father Lombardo led the 20s group in a celebration of the ancient Pentecost Vigil liturgy. Elizabeth Weaver came to the vigil because it was a special way to celebrate Pentecost.

“Young adults had gathered together to celebrate and call upon the Holy Spirit for a re-filling of his wonderful gifts,” she says.

Like Saint Dominic blazing a new trail centuries ago, Father Lombardo's commitment to the New Evangelization is helping to usher in what John Paul II called a “new springtime” for the Church.

And John Paul II has, indeed, been an inspiration to Father Lombardo.

“At World Youth Day in Toronto,” he says, “I was moved by his phrase, ‘Build the city of God within the city of man.’ He gave us incredible hope that that's possible and do-able. He gave us a vision. He told us, ‘You have to be the builders of a new humanity. It's up to you. Let no one surpass you. Go out and transform the world.’”

Gina Giambrone writes from Covington, Kentucky.