Ordination to the Diaconate

Saint Meinrad celebrated the ordination of twelve of our seminarians to the Order of Deacon on Saturday. It was a beautiful day in every way. Archbishop Daniel presided and was assisted by Bishop Duca of Shreveport and Bishop Shnurr, recently appointed as co-adjutor archbishop of Cincinnati. The twelve men were a great image of the Church. They were all young, vibrant men of faith. It was a great joy to see their families and friends, those who have supported them through countless crises and triumphs. They all looked justifiably proud. The festivities began on Thursday with a new tradition at Saint Meinrad, the rehearsal dinner. The deacons-to-be where hosted by the rector for a nice intimate dinner. It was a wonderful time for some fellowship and breathing before everything got underway. On Friday the bishops arrived as did the families. Parties and dinners were breaking out all over the hill. We also had a period of community adoration to observe the solemn events that would unfold on Saturday. The day itself dawned beautifully, the sun shining brightly on a crisp autumn day. A breakfast hosted by the rector was held for the ordinands and the visiting bishops. The ordination lasted two full hours. The music was glorious. The archbishop's homily urged the ordinands to consider the prostration as a sign of their future ministry to be men of humble prayer. Solemnly they came up one by one to receive the imposition of hands and to receive the prayer of consecration. At the end of the liturgy, the new deacons were applauded in front of the abbey church by all the clergy present. A beautiful lunch followed for over 300 people. Later that evening there was a hog roast at the unStable. On Sunday, families began drifting away so that by Sunday night we were back to normal, except that we had the grace of twelve newly ordained men in our midst. This is what Saint Meinrad is about, the transformation of lives for the service of the Church. This is what we have been doing for almost 150 years. We are so proud of these men and all our seminarians and deacon candidates and lay students who will offer themselves for service to the Body of Christ. While I am proud to be the rector of Saint Meinrad on days like last Saturday, I am equally proud to be the rector on ordinary days as we experience here the daily miracles of formation, conversion and discipleship. Ad multos annos to our new deacons.