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Article by Wayne Gignac
Photos by Marie Wynn

“We congratulate you on your openness to God’s work in your life and we thank you for responding to His call with such generosity.” These are the words spoken by Bishop Michael R. Cote, May 24th in a beautiful bilingual ceremony at Saint Mary Church in Norwich, prior to ordaining Michael Castiblanco to the order of Deacon.  Bishop Cote also acknowledged Michael’s mother watching in Columbia via Facebook’s Live Streaming service. Deacon Michael will spend the summer in Groton assisting Father Dariusz K. Dudzik, J.C.L. at Saint Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Parish and Sacred Heart Parish. Following this assignment, he will return to Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland to complete his final year of study and discernment.

“Let us pray that God will mercifully pour out the grace of His blessing on His servant whom in His kindness He raises to the Holy Order of the Diaconate.”, prays Bishop Cote. The Elect, Michael Castiblanco, lying prostrate as the Litany was sung.

El Obispo Cote reza, "Recemos para que Dios derrame misericordiosamente la gracia de Su bendición sobre Su siervo, quien, por Su bondad, se eleva a la Orden Sagrada del Diaconado". El elegido, Michael Castiblanco, postrado mientras se cantaba la Letanía.

Technology played a large part in the ordination, allowing Michael’s family, especially his mother in Columbia to witness the entire ceremony via Facebook Live.

La tecnología jugó un papel importante en la ordenación, lo que permitió a la familia de Michael en Colombia, especialmente a su madre, presenciar toda la ceremonia en vivo por Facebook.

Imposition of Hands- “This gesture signifies the divine power which is conferred upon you. The gesture indicates that you are being entrusted with an official ministry in the Church as a servant of the Lord.” Bishop Michael Cote

Imposición de manos: "Este gesto significa el poder divino que se te confiere. El gesto indica que se te ha confiado un ministerio oficial en la Iglesia como siervo del Señor ". Obispo Michael Cote.

Investiture with Stole and Dalmatic- Following the prayer of ordination Very Reverend Gregory P. Galvin, Director of Vocations and Reverend Tomasz Albrecht, Parochial Vicar of Saint Mary Church in Norwich assisted vesting the newly ordained Deacon Michael Castiblanco with his diaconal stole and dalmatic. Once vested, Reverend Mr. Michael Castiblanco knelt before the Bishop who placed the Book of the Gospels in his hands saying “Receive the gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

Investidura con estola y dálmatica: Después de la oración de la ordenación, el Padre Gregory P. Galvin, Director de las Vocaciones y el Padre Tomasz Albrecht, Vicario Parroquial de la iglesia Saint Mary en Norwich, ayudaron a investir al recién ordenado diácono Michael Castiblanco con su estola diaconal y dalmática. Una vez investido, el diácono Michael Castiblanco se arrodilló ante el obispo quien colocó en sus manos el Libro de los Evangelios, diciendo: "Recibe el evangelio de Cristo, en cuyo heraldo te has convertido. Cree lo que lees, enseña lo que crees y practica lo que enseñas".

Deacon Michael imparting a blessing.
El Diácono Michael dando una bendición.

Llamado a Servir
El Obispo Ordena a un Diácono

Escrito por Wayne Gignac Fotos de Marie Wynn

"Te felicitamos por tu apertura al trabajo de Dios en tu vida y te agradecemos por responder a su llamado con tanta generosidad”. Estas son las palabras pronunciadas por el obispo Michael R. Cote el 24 de mayo en una hermosa ceremonia bilingüe en la iglesia Saint Mary en Norwich, antes de ordenar a Michael Castiblanco al orden del Diaconado. El obispo Cote también saludó a la madre de Michael quien estaba mirando en Colombia la transmisión en vivo por Facebook.

El Diácono Michael pasará el verano en Groton ayudando al Padre Dariusz K. Dudzik, J.C.L. en la parroquia Saint Mary, Mother of the Reedener y la Parroquia Sacred Heart. Después de esta asignación, regresará al Seminario de Mount Saint Mary en Emmitsburg, Maryland para completar su último año de estudio y discernimiento.


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    Roman Catholic Diocese of Norwich
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    Norwich, CT 06360-4328
    Phone: 860-887-9294