Samuel Roux ordained priest at Nîmes Cathedral: “He has his feet on the ground and his head in Heaven”

Emotion à la cathédrale de Nîmes pour l'ordination de Samuel Roux. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Samuel Roux sera vicaire à Villeneuve-lez-Avignon. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

A great moment of emotion and fervor. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

C'est l'évêque Nicolas Brouwet qui a ordonné Samuel Roux. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Samuel Roux a donné la communion. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Ce dimanche, il a été ordonné prêtre par Monseigneur Brouwet dans une cathédrale comble

It is an event for the diocese of Nîmes, which has not had an ordination since 2015. A unique moment of grace in the life of Samuel Samuel Roux. And an unforgettable day for his family, “moved and very proud”, seated in the front row well before the ceremony began. Myriam, his mother, confides: “I am not surprised by his choice. We are living a magnificent moment here, we are not losing it, we will always be with him”. Her big sister Camille is there too, in a long burgundy dress, her partner in a matching suit: “We dressed like for a wedding, because he is marrying God”, she smiles. “I followed Samuel's journey, I am happy that he listens to his vocation”.

The 71 priests and deacons of Gard came for the ceremony. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

700 faithful gathered

In a packed cathedral, where nearly 700 faithful and 71 deacons and priests were gathered, Philippe Parant, the superior of the Toulouse seminary where Samuel Roux studied, began by evoking his personality, “a mixture of strength and gentleness, a man who loves to preach”. Then, in his homily, Monsignor Nicolas Brouwet recalled:“By becoming ordained, your mission will be to help the faithful live the Gospel on a daily basis. Keep the transparency of a child's heart, it is the secret of a priest's life.”

Lying face down on the ground, in the contemplative silence of the cathedral and the smell of lilies and incense, Samuel Roux “abandons himself to God”, before the bishop lays his hands on him and makes him a priest. And, at the time of communion, it is he who will hand the host to his family and the blessing to his Protestant grandmother.

More than 700 faithful gathered at the cathedral. Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

“We are very happy”, Monsignor Brouwet slips. “If the communities of the faithful are fervent and fraternal, young people will dare to commit themselves to the priesthood and dedicate their lives to God”.

At the exit, on the steps of the Old Nîmes museum, behind the cathedral, the priests ask Samuel Roux to bless them. He is a priest. He radiates joy.