In service to the Church
On July 8 at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, five men were ordained to the order of the permanent diaconate. Bishop Michael R. Cote, D.D. welcomed candidates Mr. Joseph Delaney, Mr. Mark Desrosiers, Mr. Christopher Hammond, Mr. David Imhof and Mr. Ronald Krystofik, as well as their families, to the church for the celebration of the rite of ordination.
“We all rejoice with you,” the Bishop said to the candidates. “We likewise congratulate you for your willingness to pursue this calling and for your readiness to lay down your lives in service of the Lord’s church.”
Family and friends of the candidates, with parishioners from throughout the diocese, filled the cathedral. The wives of the candidates were involved in the liturgy, proclaiming the first two readings and later presenting the gifts.
Rev. Mr. Julian Cuervo proclaimed the Gospel, Luke 10:1-9 and then Deacon Ben Locasto asked the bishop to ordain the men, "our brothers, to the responsibility of the Diaconate." Deacon Locasto testified that each candidate had been found worthy.
The Bishop advised the men to call on the strength of the Holy Spirit. “Rely always on this mighty gift,” he said, “calling upon the Spirit often in the course of each day.”
He reminded them of the importance of their personal witness. “Never forget that the word of God will not be proclaimed nor heard unless it is spoken by ministers who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, witness to the reality of this word in their own lives,” he said.
After the homily, the five candidates stood before the Bishop and made the promise of the elect, during which they swore their dedication to the office of diaconate and their obedience to Bishop Cote and his successors.
The congregation then recited the litany of supplication for the men, who prostrated themselves before the altar. This all culminated in the actual conferment of the sacrament of Holy Orders, when the Bishop laid his hands upon the head of each elect and read the prayer of ordination.
The new deacons were vested with stoles and dalmatics, each by a priest or deacon of his own choice.
Kneeling before Bishop Cote, the deacons were then handed the Book of the Gospels while the Bishop said to them, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Those present applauded the newly ordained at the conclusion of the ceremony, and the celebration continued during the reception that followed.
Coming only a month after the transitional diaconate ordination of three men, this consecration to the diaconate was not only a celebration of five individual men but of the gift of vocations that God has given the diocese. Together, the diocesan community rejoiced at this manifestation of God’s grace.
By Ryan Blessing
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Photo credit Catherine Hoffman
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