I look forward to answering this question every year on the occasion of ordinations to the diaconate and priesthood. As rector of Regis College and superior of the Regis Jesuit Community, it is my responsibility to present candidates for ordination to the bishop, but only after they have been judged to be very well prepared. It is a huge responsibility with which I am accountable to the people of God. The people expect and deserve priests who will help them find God. Those who are ordained must be worthy, capable and committed to serve.
At the ordination I often think of the father of the groom I have seen at the many, many weddings I have celebrated . He beams with pride in front of all his friends and family. “This is my boy, this is my son,” he says to everyone who will listen. “I am very proud to present him to the girl of his choice. She seems to be a nice girl and she is a getting a great husband. My wife and I have worked hard to give him all we knew and all we were able to give. We had our challenging moments with him, but they were all worthwhile. Now, look at all he has to offer to her, to the family they will begin, and to the whole world.” Yes, he is worthy.
I watch the young men I present to the bishop for ordination grow by leaps and bounds through the years of formation they receive in the Jesuit Community, at Regis College and in apostolic experiences. Not only do they know the theology and the tradition, they have grown in a spirituality that helps them live what they have come to understand and believe. They have also learned to listen to others, to their culture, to the needs of the poor, to the environment and to their own hearts. They have learned to discern and even help others to discern God’s Spirit calling. They know how to speak about God, because they have learned to walk with God themselves. 
And what pleases me most, is that I see them grow in a passion for serving the people of God.
But are they worthy to be priests? No, they know, and I know that they will never be worthy. Who can possibly be worthy to take bread and change it into the Body of Christ? Who can possibly be worthy to say, “I absolve you from your sins?” Who can possibly be worthy to anoint and heal with the sacred oils? Who can possibly be worthy to speak for God? That is why in the ordination ceremony it is so special to be able to follow the Bishop and lay my hands on their heads and pray that the Holy Spirit make them good priests for God’s people.
To be the rector of Regis College is indeed a privilege. I am as proud as any parent at their son or daughter’s wedding. And at the same time, I join those being ordained, and we all say what we feel deep down when we are made priests, “O Lord, I am not worthy.”