Bishop to New Deacons: “Give Your Life as a Ransom for the Church”

The Catholic Spirit has fuller coverage of the diaconate ordination last weekend in St. Paul – Minneapolis, including some excellent remarks by Bishop Andrew Cozzens:

The Mass was one of joy and thanksgiving, but it also prompted sober reflection on the large responsibilities given to the newly ordained, who join about 175 other permanent deacons in the archdiocese.

“The purpose of this ordination is to allow you to give your life as a ransom for the Church, to allow your life to be taken by God and used as he desires,” said Bishop Andrew Cozzens, the archdiocese’s auxiliary bishop, during his homily.

…Bishop Cozzens explained that upon being ordained, deacons participate in a special way in Christ’s “diakonia,” or ministry of service.

This includes serving at the altar during Mass, which Bishop Cozzens encouraged the new deacons to do as often as possible.

“Only exceptional reasons should keep you from serving at the altar at daily Mass,” he said, reminding those gathered that the first seven men ordained in the Acts of the Apostles were selected to serve at the table.

The new deacons were also called upon to be “heralds of the Gospel” and to serve the poor and the sick on behalf of all the faithful, but also not to forget their responsibilities to their wives and children.

“In fact, this should be the first place you fulfill your mission,” Bishop Cozzens said of the deacon’s home.

The bishop also reminded the ordained of their “grave responsibility” to live a life of virtue in accordance with Christ’s will. Doing so would allow them to be pliable instruments in the Lord’s hands, he said, inspiring others to sanctity. Failing in this regard, he added, could cause scandal and lead the flock astray.

Read it all.