Here they are: New York's new deacons

They were ordained last weekend, as I reported in an earlier post.

From Archbishop Dolan’s homily:

“You realize, I trust, dear 12, that this ordination is not some kind of merit badge, this is not a graduation ceremony. It’s not a reward for years of preparation, this is not just another line on your curriculum vitae,” Archbishop Dolan told them moments after accepting the recommendation of Father Andrew King, dean of students at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, speaking on behalf of the Church, that they be ordained.

“This is a gift of the Holy Spirit and I propose that we view your vocation as a deacon of the Church precisely as a continuation of the Pentecost, the feast we celebrate tomorrow,” the archbishop said. “Through you my dear brothers, Jesus will continue to unleash the Holy Spirit through all his Church.” If the enormity and responsibility of that seemed overwhelming, he told them not to fear.

“Now that should cause you a little trepidation,” he continued. “I presume you know better than anybody else that you are as klutzy, as sinful as untrustworthy as imperfect as those Apostles at the first Pentecost. If you don’t realize that, just ask your wives. But when all is said and done, this isn’t about you. It’s about Jesus who can accomplish more in, through and even in spite of you than you can ever imagine. So we pray, come Holy Spirit…Be confident that the Holy Spirit will indeed work though you and transform you.”

Ad multos annos, brothers!