4414(II)_“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, for his mercy endures forever” (Ps 136:1)
Sharing of a ordinated to Deacon in Jerusalem 2017
June 21, 2017
Jerusalem, Israel, 21 June 2017 -- Last 11th June, there was a Diaconal Ordination in Basilica of Gethsemane of 17 religious students among them 13 were Salesian confreres from a different part of the world (in this time no one from EAO). We offer to the readers a sharing of Dcn D'Souza Romero Luciano SDB, a new deacon from INB (Bombay, India).
What has happened today would make no sense without faith – our faith in the loving Father who draws us into the fullness of life through Christ and His Church, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. So we, the newly ordained deacons, give thanks and praise to Almighty God for the gift of faith and for the gift of Ordination.
His Excellency Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa was the one to ordain 17 of us (13 Salesians & 4 Missionaries of Africa) as deacons. It is truly a blessing for us the Holy Eucharist for the Diaconal Ordination took place at Gethasamane, Jerusalem in the Church of All Nations on the 11th June 2017, Tuesday morning 10. 00 am.
We place on record all the Superiors & communities of the Salesians of Don Bosco & the Missionaries of Africa for accepting us and giving us this grace to be ordained. Thanks to all our formators from the time we entered the congregation received our first profession till our perpetual profession and in a special way to the formators, confessors & spiritual directors here in Israel for their guidance and support spiritually as well as the formation in the community. Also to Studium Theologicum Salesianum (STS), all priests, religious and lay teachers and professors who have contributed toward our study and intellectual formation. We also remember our parents, relatives, family and friends for their love, for their support and their encouragement & blessings. Our special thanks to our Choir, the Fillipino community of Good Shepherd, for their melodious singing. For your commitment, spirit of sacrifice, devotion, but above all their love for us brothers. Everyone who is present with us has played an important role in our journey toward this stage in our formation. You have been a source of strength to us through your prayer, sacrifice, and support (both spiritual and material). We pray that the Lord continue to bless all of you. Our encounters and experiences with you are the gifts from which we learn and grow in our lives. May our friendship be strengthened by the supernatural bond of grace.
As much as you are happy for us, as much as you might like to congratulate us, we ask you to do one thing: please pray that we as deacons – will always love God above all things and that we will give everything that we have, everything that we are, to the service of God’s people and to be Holy. The work we do is God’s work and the life we live is meant to be a holy life. “Lord, grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change; courage to change the things we can and give us wisdom to follow you and do your holy will”.
