Psalm 116: 12: What shall I render to the Lord for all his bounty to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord, 14 I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people. I recall the Sacred Liturgy at which my son, Patrick, and over 20 of his fellow Legionaries were ordained to the priesthood. I was one of three deacons asked to assist at that Holy Mass. One of my privileges was to elevate the Chalice at the Minor Elevation. The above verse sometimes comes to mind when I assist Fr. Francis at my own parish where I again elevate the Chalice at the Minor Elevation. Another time after Fr. Patrick was first ordained a priest, Geralyn and I visited a seminary where Patrick was assisting at Holy Mass. He distributed Holy Communion via intinction; as another deacon held the chalice of the Precious Blood, Fr. Patrick would dip a Sacred Host in the chalice, while then placing it first on Geralyn's tongue, and then another Host on mine, as we knelt to receive. I saw the reverence with which the Deacon held the Precious Blood. And so I am; a deacon comes from the Greek word, diakonos, meaning servant. I serve at the behest of my Bishop, pastor, or priest. I am a seeker of permission. Even when I close Adoration with Benediction on Tuesday nights, it is at the behest of my Pastor. And so, with covered hands, I lovingly grasp the Monstrance holding our Lord and after elevating it, bless those present, making a Sign of the Cross. And I believe the Blessing is not only for those present, but that "rays of grace extend out to the parish boundaries" for Fr. Francis is not just pastor of Catholics in the parish, but of every person who lives within it's boundaries! And so I serve in his stead. In this particular instance, the scripture passage (Matt 10) comes to mind where the Twelve go out to villages in Christ's Name and enter homes: 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. May those rays of grace from the Monstrance bless many deserving hearts, just not those in the church itself. And so I pray for deacons everywhere, that we may be true servants of the Lord, ministering where given permission, for we are only servants. Mark 10:45 For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many!
Beautiful post. And yes, I am so grateful for our deacon in my local parish. As you said, Terry, our deacon (Jim) is a true and faithful servant….he just celebrated his 25th anniversary. And I note , here in NY, the longest serving deacon in Archdiocese of NY from Next parish over from me just passed. He was another remarkable example and servant. I think as we see fewer priests ordained (although I pray that God and Our Lady intercede for the Church and help vocations to priesthood grow), the role of diaconate will become even more needed. thank you Terry for your service to the Church- may God bless and reward you.
miker, I know some Deacons in the Syracuse Diocese who have been made Parish Administrators, with retired priests called on to do weekend Holy Masses. Clergy are getting sparse!
Gulp! We are spoiled in downstate area here in NY… most parishes have at least 2 priests. But, many are getting up there in age so unfortunately, I think we will be experiencing what I’d happening in northern/central area of NY. Prayers for vocations to priesthood.
