I woke up again this morning as I have done for the last 10 days with the memories of that day. The music is so fresh and clear in my mind it’s almost audible. I hope the memories stay, for on the day my son was ordained a Deacon I felt the closeness of heaven to earth. The veil between us seemed very thin to me, and the magnitude of joy was palpable. I’m still drawn to the memories and emotions …Friends, celebrate with us! We just returned from Rome, where David was so fortunate to experience this Sacrament in St. Peter’s Basilica, at the foot of the Chair of St. Peter. What a beautiful, majestic, and holy place. It was a phenomenal experience for all of us, and one that I wish with all my heart that I could share with all of you. (If you’d like that too, see below for a link to a short highlight video from last year’s ordination.)
On October 2nd, 43 men from the Pontifical North American College in Rome were ordained as Transitional Deacons. The next step for David and his class is their ordination into the priesthood next summer. A priest is first ordained as a transitional deacon and assists the priest at Mass and can preside on his own at baptisms, funerals, and weddings. And, he can preach! It was this mama’s proud day when David preached his first homily Friday morning.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders is a rare gift to us. These men have answered an extravagant call. For the love of the Lord and in answer to His call they give their lives in service to the church. There is a serious amount of love necessary to choose this path. I was deeply impressed with the radiant joy on the faces of these new deacons. Their formation is long and intense, and I have great hope and confidence in them.
If you watch this video from last year’s ordination and substitute this year’s men, you will taste a little of what it was like to be there! For those of you who know David, he is the candle bearer on the left during the processional.
Click here to view photos of this year’s Ordination.
In hope,
Peggy
