Diaconate Ordinations 2014

On Thursday, October 2, 2014, 43 men laid down their lives for Christ and his Church. The newest deacons of the Pontifical North American College were ordained at the hands of His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington (’67).

The solemn liturgy unfolded at the Altar of the Chair in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Even granted the impressive dimensions of the space—the largest church in the world—the chapel’s sanctuary was packed to capacity with the ordinandi, scores of concelebrating bishops and hundreds of priests and deacons, including the twelve members of the Class of 2015 who were ordained in their home dioceses. Cardinals present included their Eminences Daniel Cardinal DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston (’76), Justin Cardinal Rigali, Archbishop-Emeritus of Philadelphia (C ’64), James Cardinal Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls (’75), and George Cardinal Pell, Archbishop of Sydney. Also present were 23 bishops and archbishops. The apse itself was likewise full to capacity with friends and family of the new deacons who made the pilgrimage to the Eternal City to see their brothers, sons, and friends begin their ordained ministry.

During the ordination rite, each candidate was called by name. The men responded, “Present,” expressing in very concrete terms their answer to the Church’s call to the diaconate. After the presentation of the class by the Rector of the College, Msgr. James Checchio (’92, C ’97), Cardinal Wuerl solemnly declared the class to have been “elected” for the office of deacon, a rite reminiscent of how the early Christian community chose the first seven deacons (Acts 6). After the homily, the candidates made their promises of celibacy, prayer, and obedience, fully dedicating themselves to lives of self-sacrificial service to the People of God.

Then followed the most dramatic moment of the ordination: the forty three men prostrated themselves on the marble floor, just yards away from the bones of Saint Peter which rest under the high altar of the basilica. With this gesture of profound humility, the ordinandi begged the intercession of all the Communion of Saints for the ordination which was about to come. As the chanted litany swelled through the building, the congregation was united in prayer.

Following the prostration was the ordination itself. Each man approached Cardinal Wuerl, knelt before him, and received ordination by the laying on of his hands. All of this transpired in complete and prayerful silence. As each man stood up, he returned to his place a deacon. Later, each one of the new deacons ceremonially received a Book of the Gospels from the Cardinal with this injunction: “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

 After the Mass, the newly ordained returned to the College with their friends and family for a reception overlooking the main courtyard. The joyful celebration continued late into afternoon as family, friends, and the seminary community congratulated and celebrated with the new deacons. Throughout the weekend the festivities continued privately as the deacons organized Masses of Thanksgiving around the city, assisting at the altar and preaching liturgical homilies for the first time.

More photographs of the ordination can be found at the PNAC photo page.