Deacon Manuel Marroquin, left, kneels before Bishop Mulvey as part of ordination rite. Above, bishop gives fraternal kiss to Deacon Alfonso Ramirez. Mary Cottingham, South Texas Catholic
“You are called to minister to the Word of God, you are called to serve the sacramental life of the church and you are also called to be a true sign of charity,” Bishop Mulvey told the new deacons. The ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel during Mass, preaching and teaching. The sacramental ministry includes various parts of the Mass proper to the deacon: being an ordinary minister of Holy Communion and the proper minister of the chalice when Holy Communion is administered under both species. Deacons are also ordinary ministers of the sacrament of Baptism and can serve as the Church’s witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony; they may preside in certain funeral rites not involving a Mass, such as the final commendation at the grave site or the reception of the body at a service in the funeral home. They may preside over other various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Deacons cannot hear confession, give absolution, anoint the sick or celebrate Mass. The ministry of charity involves service to the poor and marginalized and working with parishioners to help them become more involved in charitable works. Reading from the ordination rite, Bishop Mulvey presented the Book of the Gospels to each candidate with the words “believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.” In addition to presenting the book to the candidates, each
30
SOUTH TEX AS CATHOLIC | DECEMBER 2012
candidate knelt before the bishop and placed their hands between those of the bishop and promised to respect and obey the bishop and his successors. The candidates then prostrated themselves as a sign of humility while the congregation prayed a litany of supplication. After the litany, the men knelt before the bishop as the bishop laid his hands on each one of their heads and then prayed the prayer of ordination. After the ordination, other deacons and priests present helped the new deacons put on their stole and dalmatic, which were brought to the altar by their wives. The wives also brought the offerings to the altar. All of the men are married, and are living their vocation of marriage. “People have referred to the diaconate ordination of married men as a second vocation. I have always believed that a married man’s vocation is his marriage. Holy Orders to the diaconate as a permanent deacon and a married man is the Church sacramentalizing the ministry of service and commitment that each man gives to Holy Mother Church in helping to build –up the Body of Christ,” Deacon Michael Mantz, Director for the Permanent Diaconate, said. Bishop Mulvey concluded the ceremony with a fraternal kiss to the newly ordained. Deacon Mantz said the men and their families worked very hard, and made many sacrifices over the last five years. The work and sacrifice will payoff, Deacon Mantz said, and www.SouthTexasCatholic.com