With their family, friends and ordained clergy joining them, seminarians Paul Abbruscato, Carlo Santa Teresa and Steven Bertonazzi took the next step in their journey to the priesthood when they were ordained transitional deacons on Saturday, June 13, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish’s Church of the Assumption in Galloway.
The morning ceremony came at the start of a weekend that saw churches throughout South Jersey restarting public Masses, albeit cautiously, after three months of livestreamed liturgies due to COVID-19.
Photo by Dave Hernandez
Saturday’s ordination was similar to what is happening elsewhere in the Diocese of Camden: reduced capacity, socially-distanced worshippers, masks, and Communion offered exclusively on the hand at the end of the liturgy.
Still, restrictions did not dampen the joyous occasion or the enthusiasm of the three men on a path that will see them ordained as priests next year.
In his homily, Bishop Dennis Sullivan brought a taste of what the newly ordained’s new responsibilities and tasks entail.
He mentioned the three-pronged nature of their ministry — the ministry of the word of God, the ministry at the altar and the ministry of charity.
In preaching the word of God through their work, Bishop Sullivan urged them to bring “your personal experiences, your study of the Scriptures. Bring your familiarity with the dominant culture as it manifests itself in music, movies, novels, social media, theater, sports, television.” As well, their words should “give people hope. Let your words relieve them of the drudgery and the problems of life,” he said.
On the altar, “show reverence for the things of God” and in so doing you “will inspire your people and those present to turn their hearts, thoughts, and themselves to Jesus Christ,” he said. “Especially show reverence for the Body and Blood of the Lord, whose minister you are, and for His real presence in the Holy Eucharist.”
In charity, have “love of neighbor, love of the poor, especially, and the downtrodden,” Bishop Sullivan remarked.
The Camden prelate also called on the young men to bear the marks of mercy, prayer, celibacy and being a friend of God.
“Massage your words, actions with the mark of mercy, into all women and men who come to you … those who turn you off … those with whom you might disagree.”
On prayer: “Let the people see you at prayer, please. Let them witness you at prayer at the church besides your times you have to be there.
On celibacy, he told the men, “It’s a way of sharing yourself with all women and men in a personal, wholesome, genuine, manly manner.”
After being found worthy of the office of the diaconate, and promising obedience to the bishop and his successors, the three were vested with the stole and dalmatic. Rev. Mr. Abbruscato was vested by Father Joseph Pham, pastor of Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights; Rev. Mr. Santa Teresa by Father Anthony Manuppella, pastor of Saint Gianna Beretta Molla, Northfield; and Rev. Mr. Bertonazzi was vested by retired priest, Father Peter Saporito.
The three newly-ordained await their first assignments as transitional deacons before they return to classrooms in the fall to complete their final year of formation.
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