HAMMONTON – Bishop Dennis Sullivan presided over the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders for nine men in formation to the permanent diaconate Feb. 20 at Saint Joseph Church, Saint Mary of Mount Carmel Parish.
The rite is the next step on a years-long journey toward ordination to the permanent diaconate.
Deacon Charles Schiapelli, assistant director of diaconate formation for the Diocese, said that the rite deepens the commitment of those in formation.
“Men in the diaconate formation program, moving from aspirancy to candidacy, embrace a deeper commitment to service, prayer and the Church,” Deacon Schiapelli said. “The Diocese, in accepting their commitment, recognizes the call of these men to serve, discerning their readiness to live out the diaconal vocation, guiding them as they grow in both ministry and spiritual formation.”
The permanent diaconate formation program begins with a year of aspirancy, where men are introduced to the many aspects of serving as a permanent deacon as well as the theology of the Church. Aspirancy is followed by candidacy, the office of lector and then acolyte, before receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the permanent diaconate. The process takes more than four years, with year-round formation classes.
Bishop Sullivan, in his homily, spoke of the men’s resolve to commit themselves to their formation. He asked them two questions: if they were resolved to complete the preparation, and if they were resolved to prepare themselves intellectually and spiritually to serve the Church.
“It’s very curious that the Church insists that these statements about your resolve have to be done in public. … Why? Because this is not just about you,” Bishop Sullivan said. “You are ordained for the service to the Church. The Church has God’s people, and God’s people must hear about your intention and your resolve. That’s why this candidacy ceremony is very public.”
Bishop Sullivan told the men that the three ministries of the diaconate – service to charity, service to the Word of God and service to the Eucharist – are all about hope.
“Charity of the deacon brings hope,” Bishop Sullivan said. “The second ministry of the diaconate is the Word. Preaching the Word and teaching. Those who benefit from that through the preaching and through the teaching benefit from your ability to speak the Word and to understand the Word and to proclaim the Word, particularly when you’re giving a homily. The last of the triple diagonal ministries is the ministry at the altar, praying and celebrating the Sacrament of the Eucharist, Christ, our hope, alive in the sacrament.”
Robert Morales, a parishioner at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Camden, said that he kept looking up at the crucifix behind the altar during the ceremony.
“Just the fact that I was just sitting there silently and having Christ, right there looking at me directly, and having the Bishop and my brothers here, I felt very blessed,” Morales said.
Morales said he was moved by the idea of commitment in Bishop Sullivan’s homily. “It wasn’t real until the Bishop said the words ‘you resolve.’ I’m like, ‘OK, so I’m in this for real.’”
John Rosado, a parishioner of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish in Northfield, found the rite to be an emotional experience. “Right now I’m ready to cry. The calling is so strong. These are happy tears.”
For Rosado, serving as a deacon for the Church is a way to give back to God.
“He gave his life up for us, so I’m giving my life to him,” Rosado said. “I can feel the Holy Spirit in me and in all my classmates and the fellowship that we have and just being able to serve the people of God. It’s an indescribable urge to serve.”
Rivarol Voltaire, a parishioner from Saint Simon Stock Parish in Berlin, also reflected on being publicly announced as a candidate for the permanent diaconate.
“This is a great step toward our calling,” Voltaire said. “In essence, we’ve been recognized publicly saying, ‘OK guys, you say I do, so now it’s up to you.’ One thing [Bishop Sullivan said] that really stuck out to me is hope, hope through faith. I think that was really powerful.”
Candidates for Permanent Diaconate
The nine newly named candidates for the permanent diaconate are: Josemon Abraham and Mathew Abraham, both Our Lady of Peace Parish, Williamstown; Amauris Delorbe, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Minotola; Michael Eltham, The Catholic Community of Christ Our Light, Cherry Hill; Roberto Morales, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Camden; Jose Rangel, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Blackwood; Luiz Rodriguez and John Rosado, Saint Gianna Beretta Molla Parish, Northfield; and Rivarol Voltaire, Saint Simon Stock Parish, Berlin.
at the bottom and then tap “Add to Home Screen”
