More than 2,000 people gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels June 9 to witness a solemn church rite dating from apostolic times as seven men from three pastoral regions in the archdiocese were ordained to the permanent diaconate.
In his welcoming remarks, Cardinal Roger Mahony, who presided at the Mass concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishops Alex Salazar, Oscar Solis, Gerald Wilkerson and retired Bishop Joseph Sartoris, noted the ceremony coincided "providentially" on the feast day of St. Ephrem, a fourth century deacon who ministered in the Middle East.
Also coincidentally, this year's "Saint James the Less" formation group of permanent deacon candidates --- including five married and two single men --- matched the number of "seven reputable men" mentioned in the Second Reading (Acts 6: 1-7) who became ministerial assistants to the 12 apostles.
The new deacons and their parishes are: Alfred H. Austin, Holy Name of Mary, San Dimas; Derek A. Brown, American Martyrs, Manhattan Beach; Dennis D. Carlson, Holy Trinity, San Pedro; Ciro Augusto Garza, St. Martha, Huntington Park; Fred Peter Lara, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, Montebello; Rodolfo R. Leyva, Sacred Heart, Covina; and Mark Anthony Race, St. Bernadette, Los Angeles.
As homilist, Bishop Wilkerson thanked family members and formation leaders for accompanying the candidates and "supporting them and loving them during these [five] years of preparation and education for this great day." He noted that a recent U.S. bishops' document, "The National Directory for the Formation, Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States," described the deacon as an "icon" of Christ, the servant.
"It's an amazing image. When we see the deacon, we see Christ, the servant," said Bishop Wilkerson. While the directory says a deacon is ordained for service of the word, of the liturgy and of charity, he explained, it emphasizes that a deacon's ministry of the service of the word and liturgy are "severely deficient" if the deacon does not have a ministry of justice and charity.
"The directory says that, for the deacon, his ministry is found not only when he puts on the vestments, not only when he stands at the altar, but especially and particularly when he goes out into the world. That is where he makes visible Christ the deacon and servant of all.
"You are called to die in the service of God and his people. You are called to lay down your life each day in service of word, of liturgy, of charity. And you are indeed always to be wherever you are the icon of Christ, the deacon and servant of all, who came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for the many."
Following the homily, the candidates individually knelt before Cardinal Mahony as they promised obedience to the cardinal and his successors before prostrating themselves on the floor of the sanctuary while the Cathedral choir and congregation sang the Litany of Supplication to the saints. The ceremonial rite continued with the laying on of hands, prayer of ordination, investiture with stole and dalmatic, and presentation of the Book of Gospels.
After the distribution of Communion, Jenny Ocegueda-Reynosa, an archdiocesan diaconate formation coordinator, presented certificates to the five deacon wives who made the formation journey along with their husbands. Some of the women have become certified as lectors while others will pursue further ministerial certificates and degrees.
"During these past years of formation, there have been many experiences that have led to this day of ordination: ministry opportunities, academics, retreats and spiritual growth. These women have faced stressful and demanding challenges but none have wavered in their commitments to the program and to their own, and their husband's growth," said Ocegueda-Reynosa.
"Throughout the process, they have taken care of ministry and family obligations without neglecting their diaconate work. In spite of all these challenges, they have consistently been an integral part of the formation process and have developed into enormously gifted women. They are now ready to serve the church as professional ministers in a variety of ways."
The deacon couples met with well-wishers lined up on the Cathedral plaza following the ordination. "These couples, they're the future of our church," said Joan Vienna, archdiocesan Office of Family Life director. "They are just fantastic with their enthusiasm, their love of church, their deep faith, and their understanding of family. Our parishes are all going to benefit greatly from them being there."
Said American Martyrs' parishioner Helene Grik: "I've often said to many of my priest friends that what young people need today are priests and deacons who go around saying, 'I've got the greatest job in the world' so kids want to emulate them. And [new Deacon] Derek Brown does that," said Grik, after receiving a blessing from Deacon Brown.
Ilegra Evans, who was one of the first people to receive a blessing from Deacon Mark Race, said she got to know Race and his wife, Vickie, through their participation in the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women (Evans is a past president) and the deacon couple's cancer ministry, which resulted in last October's inaugural Pray for a Cure cancer Mass at the Cathedral.
"I have walked with them through that ministry and I'm here to give my blessing as well as to receive a blessing," said Evans.
Rejoicing with Deacon Alfred Austin in a group hug were David and Brenda Luna and their family of three children from Holy Name of Mary. "We're just here to offer support. We just didn't want to miss it," said David.
Thirteen-year-old son J. Garrett confided Deacon Austin was a personal inspiration. "He helped me through some tough times and I like him," he said. "I just love it when he helps me." |