The Deacon's Bench
From The Catholic Review:
Lying face down on the hard sanctuary floor of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Homeland, May 16, eight white-robed men remained motionless as more than 1,000 people called on the heavenly saints to intercede for them.
“Pray for us,” the congregation repeatedly chanted in solemn unison, after a cantor invoked the names of holy men and women from two millennia of Christianity.
Strengthened by the power of prayer, the prostrated men stood and approached a seated Archbishop William E. Lori.
After four years of intense study, formation and pastoral ministry, this was the moment for which they had been preparing: ordination to the permanent diaconate.
…In an ancient gesture, the archbishop laid his hands on their bowed heads – silently conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit. He offered a prayer of ordination, asking God to dedicate each man to the service of the church.
With the conferral of the sacrament of holy orders, the new deacons were created.
The Archdiocese of Baltimore’s newest clergymen include Deacon James M. Cyr of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville; Deacon Carlos Dutan of the Catholic Community of Glen Burnie; Deacon Daniel O’Neill Kennedy of St. Peter the Apostle in Libertytown and Deacon James Robert Longenecker of St. Ignatius in Hickory.
Also ordained were Deacon Paul A. Nicholas of St. Ann in Hagerstown; Deacon Robert R. Price of St. Ignatius of Loyola in Ijamsville; Deacon Raymond T. Van Pelt III of St. Ignatius in Hickory and Deacon Francis W. Ziegler of St. Louis in Clarksville.
“The permanent change wrought in you by diaconal ordination not only authorizes you to minister as deacons,” Archbishop Lori said in his homily, “but will remain as an inner conduit for the strength and grace you need to serve as Jesus did, generously and lovingly.”
Read more and view a slideshow of the ordination.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
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