This is the 3rd Saturday of the May which coincides to ordination day in 1986 After three years of formation, prayer and discernment the day had come for the "laying on of hands".
Paula was in the Cathedral of Saint St. Mary in Trenton N.J with family and friends. While i was lining up with fourteen other ordinandi. Before us were Bishop John Reiss and his auxiliary Bishop Kmeic followed by the the priests of the Diocese and my Chaplain pastor Fr.. Malachy Higgiston. The music began with the grand chords form the organ. The choir had been formed from various choirs of the diocese sang loudly. Upon our entrance the people stood in quiet reception. The Liturgy of the Word was proclaimed by two of the groups wives. Paula was one of them. Her role there elevated the event for me, for with her unwavering support i probably would not have gotten there. The homilist, an older deacon reminded us of the challenge that laid before us in particular he said "you will always be answering the question of what is a deacon" then he paraphrased St. Francis by saying our response to that should come more so by what we do rather than what you say so make your response exemplified by how you serve the People of God. I pray that i have done his bidding.
The ordination rite is simple yet profoundly moving.
First, our wives were asked to grant permission for us to receive Holy Orders! Following this was the intonation of Litany of the Saints. The posture at this time was for each of us to lie face down on the marble floor of the Cathedral as the members of the Church Triumphant were implored for their intercession. Although 14 others were lying around me, I felt serenely alone. We then proceeded to the seated Bishop who placed a Book of the Gospels in each of our hands as we knelt before him. The words that accompanied this act were "Receive the Book of the Gospels,whose herald you now are, Believe what you Read, Teach what you Believe and Live what you Teach!" Whether or not I have accomplished that will be judged by others.
The prayer of ordination was said and then each bishop silently laid his hands upon her heads as the Choir intoned Venite Spiritu Sanctus. We vowed our obedience to the Bishop and his successors. We were then vested in our new stoles and dalmatics. As the Mass continued i served as the deacon of the altar. For the first time I prepared the cup with the silently said words, "By the mingling of this water and and wine we have come to share in your divinity as you humbled yourself to share in or humanity"
Happy Anniversary!
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