From the Associate Pastor’s Desk
WE HAVE A DEACON!
Brother Salvador Mejia, OFM was ordained as a transitional deacon for our parish by Bishop Cardinal Robert McElroy last Friday. Here is some explanation about deacons from our bishops:
Who is a Deacon?
Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came “to serve and not to be served.” The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant Church.
Who is a Deacon?
Deacons are ordained as a sacramental sign to the Church and to the world of Christ, who came “to serve and not to be served.” The entire Church is called by Christ to serve, and the deacon, in virtue of his sacramental ordination and through his various ministries, is to be a servant in a servant Church.
What are these “various ministries” of the Deacon?
All ordained ministers in the Church are called to functions of Word, Sacrament, and Charity. As ministers of Word, deacons proclaim the Gospel, preach, and teach in the name of the Church. As ministers of Sacrament, deacons baptize, lead the faithful in prayer, witness marriages, and conduct wake and funeral services. As ministers of Charity, deacons are leaders in identifying the needs of others, then marshaling the Church’s resources to meet those needs. Deacons are also dedicated to eliminating the injustices or inequities that cause such needs.
Why do some deacons become priests?
For many years ordained ministers “ascended” from one office to another, culminating in ordination to the priesthood. The Second Vatican Council, however, authorized the restoration of the diaconate as a PERMANENT order of ministry. So, while students for the priesthood are still ordained deacons prior to their ordination as priests, there are more than 13,000 deacons in the United States alone who minister in this Order permanently. There is no difference in the sacramental sign or that functions between these so-called “transitional” and “permanent deacons.”
May married men be ordained deacons?
Yes. The Second Vatican Council decreed that the diaconate, when it was restored as a permanent order in the hierarchy, could be opened to “mature married men,” later clarified to mean men over the age of 35. This is in keeping with the ancient tradition of the Church, in which married men were ordained into ministry. Also, in keeping with ancient practice is the expectation that while a married man may be ordained, an ordained man, if his wife should die, may not marry again without special permission.
Please join me in accompanying Deacon Sal in his ministry in our parish. And if any of you feel that you may have a calling to religious life, diaconate, or the priesthood, do not hesitate to contact me, Father Oscar, or Deacon Sal.
Peace and all good,
Fr. Sam Nasada, OFM
Associate Pastor, Mission San Luis Rey Parish
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