Photo by Jack Sheedy. Other photos may be found in the Photo Gallery.
HARTFORD – The ordination of nine men to the permanent diaconate drew four bishops and about 25 priests, 50 deacons and 300 family members and friends to the Cathedral of St. Joseph on June 5.
Archbishop Henry J. Mansell, the ordaining prelate, began the celebration by speaking of how the new deacons signify new growth and regeneration in the Archdiocese by contributing their various gifts to the service of God’s people.
Permanent deacons, although not able to celebrate Mass and certain other sacraments, are called to assist the priestly order through the ministry of word, altar and charity. They are able to assist at Mass, especially by proclaiming the Gospel and preaching. They can witness marriages in the Latin Rite and baptize solemnly.
Archbishop Mansell noted that the permanent diaconate dates back to the earliest days of the Church, elaborating on how the gifts of such early deacons as St. Lawrence and St. Ephrem impacted generations. He said he hoped that the ministry of the new deacons would impact the lives of subsequent generations as well.
Referring to the restoration of the permanent diaconate stemming from the Second Vatican Council, Archbishop Mansell emphasized the council’s documents on evangelization, the work of spreading God’s word to the world, as a mission uniquely tied to the diaconal ministry of word and charity.
"This is how we go forward, preaching the Lord Jesus," the Archbishop remarked, commending the new deacons to "go forth as part of a communion – a communion of the Church here as part of the Archdiocese – and in communion with the Church universal across the world."
"Most important," the Archbishop offered, "is the work that is done, the sacrifices that are made, the history that we are learning in terms of the decades of increased usage of the permanent diaconate."
He offered congratulations and encouragement to the deacons, all of whom are married, and thanked their families for their sacrifices and support.
The diaconal candidates lay prostrate in the sanctuary and the Litany of Saints was chanted in preparation for the most solemn act of ordination – the laying on of hands in silence by Archbishop Mansell followed by the consecrating prayer.
After being vested in the stole (worn over the left shoulder) and dalmatic, each deacon was symbolically presented with a Book of the Gospels.
The nine new deacons per-formed their first acts of ministry by preparing the gifts to be consecrated at the altar during Mass and by distributing holy Communion to the congregation.
Before the ordination, the candidates excitedly awaited the Archbishop’s announcement of their new assignments. Their joy was evident as they spoke of their hope for the coming years of service to God and Church. They talked about their journeys to the permanent diaconate through the witness of other deacons, their prayers and interior movements of grace and the call of family, friends and loved ones to consider the vocation.
Deacon Torres mentioned his work in prison ministry and the development of his own prayer life as important moments in his decision to enter the diaconate program. He said he hopes he "can be an instrument to continue building a bridge to salvation to others, encouraging them in their path to God."
Deacon Pagliaro believes "it was years of prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament" that convinced him the Lord was calling him. He hopes to "serve the Church wherever I meet it."
Deacon Alexander López, whose late father was also a permanent deacon, said the ceremony itself was a blessing. "[I felt my] father was looking down on me during this ceremony, witnessing my ordination." He said his family was very supportive of his decision to realize the Lord’s call in his life.
The deacons began their ministries on June 19 in communities throughout the Archdiocese: Richard H. Hamel is assigned to St. Matthew Parish in Forestville; Alexander López, to Sacred Heart Parish in Waterbury; Edwin López, to St. Margaret Parish in Waterbury; Roberto Lugo, to Blessed Sacrament and St. Anne in Waterbury; Ernest H. Pagliaro Jr., to St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Naugatuck; Clifford Eric Thermer, to St. Patrick Parish in Farmington; Michael Torres, to the East Hartford cluster of parishes; Michael J. Walsh, to St. John of the Cross Parish in Middlebury; and Michael Ward, to St. Maurice and St. Jerome Parishes in New Britain.
Permanent deacons continue to work in their own professions, allowing them to bring God into the workplace as ministers of charity. Additionally, since most permanent deacons are married, their married life offers an important influence and dynamic to their ministerial role in the Church.
Permanent deacons serve not only in parishes throughout the Archdiocese, but also in prisons, hospitals and nursing homes.
The program of study for the permanent diaconate in the Arch-diocese is four years of formal study and a one-year aspirancy.
