In service to God's people

On Saturday, my diocesan brother, Brandon, was ordained a transitional deacon for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in KS. A transitional deacon is the term used to describe a person ordained to the diaconate as a step to the priesthood. It is a transitional diaconate because the person will be a deacon only until his priesthood ordination six months to a year down the road.

Brandon's ordination was celebrated at our Cathedral, St. Peter's, by Archbishop Joseph Naumann. It was a beautiful ordination with a good turnout by the faithful of the diocese. Brandon, who is a 4th year theologian at Mundelein Seminary in Chicago, IL, will serve as a deacon until June 24th when he and my cousin, Anthony, will be oradined as priests of the Archdiocese.

I chose the title, In service to God's people, because this is the core tenet of the deacon. His service to the people comes in many forms: assist the bishop and his priests, proclaiming the Gospel and instructing God's people regarding His Word, praying and celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours with and for the Church and assisting at the altar as a minister of the people. These are some of the promises a deacon makes within the Rite of Ordination to the Diaconate. Early next year, in preparation for my own diaconate, I am going to expound upon each of the six promises a deacon makes on the day of his ordination.

Until next time...God bless.

posted by: crossman at 05:43 | link | comments |
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