New deacons a ‘blessing’ in their witness, service, says archbishop
Newly ordained permanent Deacons Diep T. Nguyen and James J. White IV process with fellow deacons after a June 12 ordination Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul, at which celebrant Archbishop Nelson Pérez described permanent deacons as ministers of the church among the family, the workplace and the neighborhood. (Sarah Webb)
By Gina Christian • Posted June 14, 2021
Nine men were ordained to the permanent diaconate Saturday, June 12 on what Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez called “a great day of blessing for the church in Philadelphia.”
With COVID restrictions lifted in the city, hundreds filled the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul for the June 12 liturgy, at which Archbishop Pérez presided, assisted by his four auxiliary bishops along with dozens of archdiocesan priests and permanent deacons.
Posted May 4, 2021
Nine men who will be ordained permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia next month made a profession of faith and signed a solemn Oath of Fidelity before Bishop Timothy Senior, rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, who presided at a Liturgy of the Word in the seminary’s Immaculate Conception Chapel April 26. All ordained ministers to the diaconate, priesthood and episcopacy take the oath before ordination.
In signing the oaths, the men declare publicly that they believe all that the Catholic Church teaches and they promise to be faithful to that teaching in their ministry as deacons. The ceremony is a necessary step prior to ordination to the diaconate, as it documents the candidate’s willingness to uphold the teachings of the church in the ministry he exercises.