Ján Kniez CSsR was ordained a priest on Friday, 27 June 2025, at the Parish Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Bratislava-Kramáre. The ordination was performed by Monsignor Nicola Giracoli, Apostolic Nuncio to Slovakia.
Apostolic Nuncio Nicola Girasoli said in his homily that becoming a priest is not an honour but a mission. ‘You Redemptorist priests, in particular, know how important this mission is.’ He continued: “I hope you will never forget two key words: service and mercy. As priests, we are called to serve, to serve God’s people, and therefore we must be credible: we need to bear witness to our mission—the priesthood—in a credible way. Pope Leo XIV, at a recent ordination of new priests in Rome, explained that being credible does not mean being perfect. We are not looking for perfect priests; we are looking for priests who are credible. We are looking for happy priests – and happiness comes from belonging completely to Jesus Christ. Be credible and happy in your ministry! The meaning, goal and motivation of your life is Jesus.
The second word is mercy: “Always be a priest with open arms. The founder of the Redemptorists, St. Alphonsus, taught us about the importance of mercy: mercy is the service of listening, the service of love, the service of being a priest 100%. God wants everything. God needs 100%, he needs completeness.” Monsignor Girasoli recalled what the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is about: Jesus had a human heart – and that heart remained open on the cross forever.
“And we need priests like that today: who are happy, merciful, ready to serve, who feel that they belong to Jesus Christ. When difficulties come into your life, remember that you have a family – your Redemptorist confreres, but above all, remember that Jesus is always with you. Always be happy, joyful, and proud of who you are. Be like the One whom you will transform every day on the altar from bread and wine.
Fr. Ján Kniez CSsR is a member of the Province of Bratislava-Prague. He comes from Lovčica-Trubín and began his formation in the Redemptorist congregation in 2018. He took his temporary vows of chastity, poverty and obedience on 11 September 2021 after a year of interprovincial novitiate in the community in Ciorani near Naples, which was attended by novices from Slovakia, Italy and Spain. He took his perpetual vows on 15 August 2024 in Podolínec and was ordained a deacon on 23 November 2024 in Banská Bystrica. In June 2025, he completed his master’s degree in Catholic theology at the Faculty of Theology of Trnava University. He will celebrate his first Holy Mass at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Lovčica-Trubín on Sunday, 29 June 2024. He will begin his priestly ministry in July in the Redemptorist community in Bratislava-Puškinova.
Eva Forraiová,
Photo by Pavel Kováč.