Ordination update: 13 new deacons for Philadelphia

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 5:02 pm by Deacon Greg Kandra

Ordination update: 13 new deacons for Philadelphia 2015-03-13T17:02:14-04:00 Deacon Greg Kandra

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

From the Philadelphia Standard & Times:

The June 2 ordination ceremony for Philadelphia’s newest permanent deacons was strikingly similar to the May 19 ordination ceremony for its newest priests.

One noticeable difference was that the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul was much more crowded for the deacons, which is reasonable because there were 13 new deacons as opposed to six new priests, and there were presumably a lot more relatives considering all the deacons are married men and they have 26 children among them.

This would have been unheard of a generation ago and this was underscored by Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Thomas, the ordaining bishop, who told them when he was a seminarian he served on the altar when Cardinal John Krol ordained the very first Philadelphia deacon classes: Hispanic deacons in 1981 and African-American deacons in 1982.

Ceremonial similarities aside, the role of a permanent deacon is quite different than that of a priest, and Bishop Thomas, who was the ordaining bishop because Archbishop Chaput was with the Holy Father in Milan, Italy, spoke of the unique role of the deacon in his homily.

Comparing them to the Levites who assisted the priests in the Old Covenant, Bishop Thomas said, “In a special way orders marks them with a character, an imprint, which cannot be removed and configures them with Christ who made Himself the deacon and servant of all. Today in the New Covenant deacons represent the Church in service with the bishop and the priests.

“Through your diaconate, dear brothers, what Jesus said of His mission, may it continually be realized through you: ‘The Son of Man comes not to be served and to give His life as a ransom for many.’”

Bishop Thomas addressed these 13 spiritual sons of St. Stephen, the first deacon, by name “Michael, John, George, John, Michael, Robert, Patrick, Mark, David, Patrick, Michael, Steven, John, Eric.”

They were officially presented to the Bishop by Msgr. Gregory Parlante, associate to the Vicar for the Clergy.

“Do you know them to be worthy?” Bishop Thomas asked.

“After inquiry among the Christian people and upon recommendation of those responsible, I testify they have been found worthy,” Msgr. Parlante responded.

Finally, through the solemn rite and the laying on of the hands these 13 laymen were transformed into clergy in the rank of deacon. But uniquely, they remain husband and fathers; financial planners, probation officers, retirees, physicians and accountants, with one foot in the secular world and the other in the sacred as deacons assigned to their home parishes, and all have a distinct vocation story.

Read more, and see the names of all the men ordained.

Ad multos annos! Congratulations and welcome!

Deacons

Philadelphia

Previous Post

June 7, 2012

First same-sex religious "commitment" ceremony performed by Army chaplain

Next Post

June 7, 2012 Pelosian Theology

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category "Mad Men" 9/11 advent All Things New Amazing video amazing videos amazon america Anglicans Anti-Catholicism art ascension thursday ash wednesday Atheists baltimore Bible Bishops Blogging bonnie engstrom Books bridgeport Brooklyn Chaplains children christian art christmas Church Churches CNEWA Converts criticism Deacons Death Penalty easter eastern christian Eastern Christians Ecumenism Education education Eucharist Europe euthanasia Evangelization Exorcism Family Feasts Gay rights Good Friday Great links Great Moments in Journalism Hanging with the saints heather renshaw Hispanic Catholics Hispanics History homelies Homilies Humor Hymn of the Week Immigration indianapolis Inspiration Interfaith news ireland Jesus Jews Journalism Judaism lent Liturgy logos Marriage Mary Media Medical news Mental health Middle East Monks Movies Music Muslims My world and welcome to it New Evangelization new york News Nuns Parenting Parish life peoria Persecution politics Politics Pope pope francis pope john paul Prayer Preaching Priests Pro-life Quote of the day radio rebecca frech ripp Ripped from the headlines rippred from the headlines Sacraments saints Scripture sex abuse Sex abuse crisis SEX ABUSE CRISIS TAGGED WITH: SEX ABUSE CRISIS The people in the pews the visitation project theatre This & that Thomas Merton Trappists TV Uncategorized uncategorized Vatican VATICAN vocation Vocations Voices & Views Women Worth a thousand words Writing Year of Faith year of mercy young people

Select a Month December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

In what parable does a father run to greet his lost son?

Select your answer to see how you score.

The Two Sons The Lost Sheep The Rich Man and Lazarus The Prodigal Son

Books by This Author Books by Deacon Greg Kandra

See All Titles »