Von George kneeled before Bishop Alfred A. Schlert, his head bowed, wearing the white stole of a cleric.
It was a moment he had been preparing for the last six years — and one he was almost not well enough to make.
“God has a plan and I just have to execute it,” he said.
He has been supported, both literally and figuratively, by his faith, in the year since he was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.
On Aug. 10, the South Whitehall Township resident became the first priest or deacon in the Allentown Diocese’s 63-year history to be ordained with a serious medical condition, according to church officials. A large audience nearly filled the Cathedral of St. Catharine of Siena in Allentown for the ordination Mass.
The Rite of Ordination for new clergy includes prostrating themselves before the altar as a sign of their submission before God and their total reliance on His grace. George was accompanied during that portion and throughout by the Rev. Allen J. Hoffa, pastor of Holy Guardian Angels in Reading.
“I was not at my full strength,” George said.
Hoffa “held Von up, literally,” said Jane George, who has chronicled much of the ups and downs of her husband’s health on social media.
Mindful of Von George’s deteriorating health, diocesan leaders offered him the opportunity to be ordained sooner in a shorter liturgy than the normally three-hour ceremony scheduled Sept. 14 for George and the other 15 diaconate candidates.
Congratulations and welcome, brother! Ad multos annos!
In your charity, please remember Deacon George and his family in your prayers.
Photos: Norm Steinruck/Allentown Diocese
