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You are ordained a deacon, Michael, at a very historic and joyful time in the life of our
Church, as we continue the Year of Faith under the spiritual leadership of our new Holy Father,
Pope Francis. The path to your conversion, priestly formation and Ordination has clearly
reflected that it is the Lord who has called and chosen you to be His deacon and, God-willing,
one day His priest. With you, we thank God for His goodness and for all who have accompanied
you on this path: your dear parents, family, friends, formators and all who know and love
you.
What happens today at this Ordination? Michael, in this beautiful Sacrament of Holy Orders
and through the Imposition of Hands and Prayer of Ordination, you receive a special outpouring
of the Holy Spirit which configures you, unites you in the core of your being to Jesus Christ,
who sends you forth as a sacramental sign of His presence. We thank you for the generous
response you offer today: “Present—Here I am Lord.” You do so relying on the help
of God at this moment and all the days of your life.
You are also ordained on this Saturday in the Octave of Easter. The Sacred Triduum celebrated
last week in this cathedral and in churches throughout the world provides a magnificent
reflection for all of us and especially you, Michael, as a new deacon.
On Holy Thursday, as we celebrated the Institution of the Holy Eucharist and Priesthood, we reenacted
the humility of Jesus in washing the feet of His disciples. The Gospel of John reminded
us that every time we receive the Eucharist we are essentially sent forth in service.
And charity is at the heart of the ministry of the deacon. Your Ordination, Michael, is
not merely another step forward or upward; it is about descending and bowing in service
to others. Those ordained for service are to be protectors of God’s gifts, and Pope
Francis recently said, “Only those who serve with love are able to protect!” He stated
that we are called to embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially
the poorest and weakest in our midst. In our Diocese and throughout our land in light of
current legislation, special care and protection must be given to the unborn, the immigrant
and those on death row. In your service, always bow down in protection of the Gospel of Life
and never hesitate to wash the feet of others.
In our Cathedral on Good Friday the deacon carried the cross and sang: “Behold the
Wood of the Cross.” In our Cathedral, and I am sure in churches throughout the world,
we witnessed a powerful scene as people came forward to adore the Cross. As they did, you
saw tears in their eyes. Yet, they came forward not in distress or despair but in faith and
hope. Michael, in the words of the Good News just proclaimed, you are ordained “to go
into the whole world and to proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” You are ordained to
preach the one true glory: Christ Crucified. Pope Francis has reminded all deacons and
priests, especially in this Year of Faith, to realize what a privilege it is to preach
the Gospel, and to treat it as such: to give our preaching the time, attention and preparation
necessary. We must nurture the faith and hope of our people, assuring them of the victory
and glory that are ours when our suffering and crosses are united to those of Christ
our Lord.
At the conclusion of our Lenten journey and at the Easter Vigil in cathedrals and churches
throughout the world, the deacon carried the Easter candle and proclaimed: The Light of
Christ. The deacon, through the graces of Ordination, is to make that proclamation each
and every day. In order to be faithful to that mission, I encourage you, Michael, to
hear the sound advice of our Pope Emeritus, Pope Benedict XVI, as he referred to the Paschal
candle. He said, “The candle shines inasmuch as it is burnt up. It gives light, inasmuch
as it gives itself.” You heed that advice today, as in imitation of Jesus you promise
to offer selfless, sacrificial and humble service to the Lord and His Church in and
through your faithful commitment to celibacy and obedience.
To be on fire with the Lord and His Gospel, you must be close to the fire, the One who
is the Light of the World. You must strive, like Peter and John in our First Reading,
to be known by others as a faithful companion of Jesus. Thus, above all else, you are to
be a man of prayer. So the Church enthusiastically receives your promise today to be faithful
to the Liturgy of the Hours, the prayer of the universal Church. The Church also trusts
that you will spend quiet time with the Lord each day; be nourished daily through the Holy
Eucharist and stay close to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Michael, this is a blessed and joyful day for the Church, our Diocese and all those
you will be sent to serve. You are surrounded with fervent prayers, great support and deep
affection, and these gifts will continue to accompany you. Together, we ask Our Lord Jesus,
through the intercession of Mary and all the angels and saints, to grant you His amazing
grace, so that you will bow in humble service and wash the feet of others; so that you will
preach the one true glory, Christ Crucified, and through the faithful witness of your life
proclaim each and every day: The Light of Christ, the Risen Lord who lives and reigns
forever and ever. Amen.