Newly Ordained: Fr. Christian Ivandic, LC

Fr. Christian Ivandic, LC, was ordained to the priesthood on April 29th, 2023, in Rome Italy at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga,, LC, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and the Vatican City Governorate. 

During the homily, Cardinal Vérgez, LC, spoke that “It is essential to experience the love of God, including in times of trial, desolation, suffering, the experience of the love of God throws new light on our existence. At the end of the priestly prayer of Jesus, he will say the same as a form of invocation: I have made known to them your name and will continue to make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them (Jn 17:26). 

When asked what her thoughts were now that her brother was a Legionary of Christ, Milena Martin replied, “I have a deep sense of awe and reverence when I think of my brother as a priest now, of him wearing now and forever the seal of our high priest Jesus Christ, it is amazing.”  Milena’s family continues to pray for Fr. Christian by gathering her family every evening to pray a decade of the rosary. 

The following day, April 30th, 2023, at 10:00 am Rome time, Fr. Christian celebrated his first mass at the Santa Maria dell ‘Anima Church with his family and fellow brothers. 

Fr. Christian will return to the United States and will continue his Ph.D. studies in Theology at Notre Dame University. 

For photos from the 2023 Priestly Ordination, please click here. 

To re-watch the 2023 Livestream Ordination, please click here.