Dear Family and Friends,
Ordinations to the Diaconate are always joyous moments in the life of
the Church. It is the culmination of many years of God's work in the
life of an individual, who is ordained to serve and to preach the Gospel
to all the ends of the earth.
In close vicinity to the death and burial place of St Peter, and at the
heart of the Church, the men of the 4th year of theology will be
ordained as servants and ministers of Jesus Christ.
This website resource provides not only practical information in
preparing for the ordination event, but more importantly, it provides a
wonderful spiritual and theological resource. People often remark that
they rarely prepare spiritually for ordinations. This website provides
resources which can prepare one to participate more fully in the
ordination liturgy.
Ordinations are a deeply spiritual event, and as a class, we thank those
who have continued to intercede to the Lord for us during the past years
of formation. We especially thank the large number of contemplative
religious orders who remember us on a daily basis. The prayers of
contemplatives and the prayers and daily offerings of all the faithful,
have supported and encouraged us throughout these years of preparation.
We ask for your continued prayers during our final months of
preparation, and be assured that our hearts will remain in steadfast
prayer for all the Church during this time, and especially for those who
will journey to the Eternal City to join with us on October 9.
Yours truly in our Risen Lord,
The Diaconate Planning Committee 2008
"At a lower level of the hierarchy are deacons, upon whom hands are imposed…unto a ministry of service. For strengthened by sacramental grace…they serve in the diaconate of the liturgy, the word, and of charity to the people of God…"
With these words, Lumen Gentium describes the diaconate, but to what end do deacons engage this service? The answer may be found in the scriptural origins of the diaconate. Chapter six of Acts of the Apostles describes the early Church. Growing by leaps and bounds our ancient predecessors were quickly threatened by disunity as "Hellenists murmured against the Hebrews because their widows were neglected in the daily distributions." The Apostles, whose own ministry precluded them from handling such day-to-day disputes, chose seven men to assist them. Men who were of "good repute," "full of the Spirit and of wisdom…" Through their work the deacons administered the earthly needs of the Church, freeing the Apostles to bring people closer to God in Holy Communion. And while it is true that many deacons, such as St. Stephen, did "great wonders and signs among the people," any reflection on the diaconate has to begin with that initial call for service oriented toward unity. Extending their arms in charity, the deacons brought together the Hellenists and Hebrews so that, "…the word of God increased and the number of disciples multiplied greatly…" This same service, manifested in liturgy, word and charity remains so important that the Church regards it as a critical step in formation for priestly ministry; hence today’s transitional diaconate. Animated by the spirit, and informed by divine wisdom, the deacon brings God’s people together in anticipation of the day when he, as a priest, will bring them to an even greater communion… communion with God himself, in the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
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