Three young men received the Sacrament of Holy Orders as part of the Ordination to the Diaconate Mass which took place Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Cathedral of St. Patrick in Norwich.
"We gather to witness the ordination of Julian Cuervo, Eric Hosmer, and Alex Pandolfe for Diakonia, that is, the ministry of Christ," Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D., said. "The suffering Servant. Strengthened by the gift of the Holy Spirit, they will help the bishop and the priests in ministry of the Word, of the altar, and of charity."
The bishop asked that the trio, and all men who answer God's call to Diakonia "be joy-filled witnesses to the Gospel whose herald they have become."
A deacon, an ordained minister of the Catholic Church, is a minister of the Word, proclaiming the Gospel, preaching and teaching in the name of the Church. They are also ministers of the Sacraments, baptizing, leading the faithful in prayer, witnessing marriages, and conducting wake and funeral services.
During the Promise of the Elect, each was questioned by Bishop Cote and declared before the people his intention to undertake the office of Deacon. Then, each knelt before Bishop Cote and placed his joined hands between those of the Bishop in the promise of obedience and respect.
During the Litany of Supplication, they prostrated themselves face down before the altar, while the litany was sung. Then, they again knelt before Bishop Cote, who performed the Laying on of Hands, the gesture that signifies divine power being conferred on the Elect.
Following the Bishop’s prayer of ordination, the newly ordained deacons received a diaconal stole and a dalmatic from a priest or deacon chosen by the newly ordained. Finally, vested as deacon, they received the Book of Gospels from the Bishop.
By Ryan Blessing
Photos by Catherine Hoffman
Video of Mass
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