From Fairfield County Catholic:
Three different men took three different paths in life and ended up at the same destination—serving as servants of the Servant, Jesus Christ.
Michael John Anthony Crane, Andres Felipe Grajales and Martin Rodriguez were ordained as permanent deacons in a Solemn Pontifical Mass on June 20, joined by close to 500 clergy, faithful and family members.
Bishop Frank J. Caggiano told the packed St. Augustine Cathedral: “Today in a special way, we gather around three brothers, and we give thanks to Almighty God for them, for the men that they are, have become and will continue to become. For the fact that they stand in our midst as husbands, fathers, grandfathers, fellow disciples, colleagues and coworkers who have gone on this extraordinary journey.”
The bishop told the candidates that Christ was with them “in the struggles of life, in the twists and turns of life, in the trials of life, and his blessing helped you to understand that you were not meant to walk in this life alone, so he helped you to discern the woman who was chosen for you to be your soulmate, your fortress, your guide, your rock and your companion unto eternal life.”
He praised their wives for helping them pursue their calling and added, “We can say clearly to everyone here that without the love of your wives, you would not be here, and they will be at your side to help you do what the Lord has asked you to do.”
As deacons they are called to be Servants of the Word, Servants of the Altar and Servants of Charity, successors of those first seven deacons chosen to assist the Apostles in the early Church.
He told the candidates their ministry will “be in the trenches of life, accompanying people and serving them in their hours of challenge, in their hours of joy as you walk with the people of God.”
However, he differentiated their service from the concept of service in the secular world.
“My friends, in our world, when we hear the word ‘service,’ we think of an act rendered to someone else,” the bishop said. “There are many who are employed simply to serve, and they are paid to do that. Then, there are those who offer service, that is an act of good for a good cause. There are many who will serve others, but that’s not what we’re about here today. The service you are called to enter into is to build the Kingdom of God on Earth, one person at a time, so that in the name of Jesus, you will be a coworker with him.”
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
