By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – For Father Will Foggo, the path to priesthood has always been marked by the people and communities that helped shape his faith.
On Saturday, May 16, those communities came together at the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle as Bishop Joseph R. Kopacz ordained the lifelong Diocese of Jackson Catholic to the priesthood.

Family members, friends, priests, deacons, seminarians and parishioners filled the cathedral to witness a moment years in the making for the St. Paul Flowood parishioner who attended St. Richard School in Jackson, graduated from St. Joseph School in Madison and later discerned his vocation while active in Catholic Campus Ministry at Mississippi State University.
In his homily, Bishop Kopacz reflected on the gift of faith and the work of the Holy Spirit in calling men to serve the church. He noted that a vocation is never formed in isolation, but through families, parish communities and seminary communities that help discern and affirm God’s call.
“We continue the work of the Lord,” Bishop Kopacz said, pointing to Christ’s mission of teaching, proclaiming the Gospel, healing, blessing and gathering people into communities of faith.
Addressing the newly ordained priest, the bishop referenced St. Paul’s encouragement to Timothy: “Let no one have contempt for your youth.”
“Today is not contempt,” the bishop said. “There’s great joy.”
That joy became especially evident near the end of Mass when Bishop Kopacz announced Father Foggo’s first assignments.
As is customary, the bishop explained that newly ordained priests enter a period of “vocational synthesis,” integrating priestly ministry into daily life after years of seminary formation.
For the next few months, Father Foggo will serve as parochial vicar pro tempore at St. Joseph Parish in Starkville, the same parish community where he served as a transitional deacon following his ordination to the diaconate in November.
The announcement drew enthusiastic applause from the congregation.
Then came a second announcement from Bishop Kopacz.
Beginning Sept. 1, Father Foggo will become parochial vicar at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Madison.
The cathedral erupted in even louder cheers.
“We’re very happy about the support that you’ve had in the presbyterate and among the people of God,” Bishop Kopacz said.
The following morning, Father Foggo celebrated his first Mass as a priest at his home parish, St. Paul Catholic Church in Flowood.
The homilist for the Mass was Deacon Scott Beslin, a seminary classmate and friend who was later ordained a priest for the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux on June 6. Reflecting on the Feast of the Ascension, Beslin reminded the congregation that Christ’s ascension was not the end of His work, but the beginning of the church’s mission.
Turning to the newly ordained priest, Beslin reflected on the responsibilities that now lay before him.
“Through your hands, heaven touches earth,” he said before pausing and adding, “No pressure.”
The church erupted in laughter, including Father Foggo himself.
Beslin continued by speaking of the responsibilities of priestly ministry, including preaching the Gospel, shepherding souls, celebrating the sacraments and being available to God’s people.
Despite the humor, he emphasized that priestly ministry does not depend on a priest’s own strength alone.
“None of this depends on you alone,” Beslin said. “It is Christ who lifts you. Christ who works through you. Christ who will be faithful through you.”
Yet some of the most memorable moments came after Communion.
Thanking those gathered for their prayers and support, Father Foggo explained the tradition of the maniturgium, the cloth used to wipe the sacred chrism from a priest’s hands after ordination.
Tradition holds that the cloth is presented to the priest’s mother and buried with her as a symbol of her offering her son to God.
Turning unexpectedly to his parents, Sheila and John Foggo, Father Foggo revealed that he had not told them what was about to happen.
“I’d like to give that to my parents right now,” he said.
The congregation responded with sustained applause as he presented the maniturgium to his mother. He then presented his father with the stole that will be used when he hears his first confession, another tradition symbolizing the gift of a son offered in service to the church.
The emotional moment served as a fitting conclusion to a weekend that celebrated not only the ordination of a new priest, but also the many people, parishes and communities that helped nurture his vocation.

(Photos from Father Foggo’s Ordination and First Mass can be found at jacksondiocese.zenfoliosite.com)