Deacon candidates instituted as acolytes

Friday, Mar. 04, 2016

SALT LAKE CITY — “Almost there!” 

“Can’t believe we are here today. … We are almost ordained!” 

These comments were frequently heard in the Cathedral of the Madeleine on Feb. 27 as the 15 candidates for the diaconate were instituted into the ministry of the acolyte.

Presiding at the ceremony was the Most Rev. Monsignor Lorenzo Cardenas Aregullin, Bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Papantla, Puebla, Mexico, who instituted the candidates into the ministry.

Concelebrating the Mass were Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, Administrator of the Diocese of Salt Lake City; the Very Rev. Martin Diaz, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Fr. Eleazar Silva, the permanent deacon program’s director of academics; and other priests of the diocese.

Many of the diocese’s permanent deacons assisted at the Mass.

“Loving brothers, today we are here to celebrate the sacrificial Eucharist and deepen our commitment. … In a special way we consider these brothers who are going to receive the acolyte ministry for the service of the Lord,” said Bishop Cardenas Aregullin as he welcomed those present.

The ceremony was very emotional; family members of the deacon candidates and their friends wore their Sunday best and were smiling through the whole ceremony.

“With a prayerful spirit they [the candidates] have been preparing for some months to be able to take this important step, and now here they are asking God for his blessing and grace,” said  Bishop Cardenas Aregullin.

The institution of acolytes usually occurs following the second year of candidacy and enables the men to assist at the altar during liturgy, as well as to handle and purify sacred vessels. This is the last major step before their ordination, which is scheduled for next January.

The men began their formation for the diaconate in January 2010. They celebrated the Rite of Candidacy on Nov. 23, 2013 and received the ministry of lector last April.

Since 2010 the men, along with their wives, have met regularly for classes and formation. The remainder of the time before their ordination will be spent learning practical aspects of the ministry; they also will attend a special retreat.

The diaconate is one of the Roman Catholic Church’s three ordained ministries within the sacrament of holy orders, the others being priest and bishop. 

Seminarians are ordained as transitional deacons as a step to priestly ordination.

The diaconate is open to married men in good standing with the Church, and does not lead to priesthood. Deacons may read the Gospel, preach and assist the celebrant priest at liturgical events. They also witness Church weddings and preside at baptisms and funerals, among other duties.

“I am really moved. This was a very special moment. It is a great blessing to be here with my classmates, with our families. This is a great day,” said Carlos Cortez, a permanent deacon candidate from Sts. Peter and Paul Parish.

The candidates instituted in the ministry of acolyte were:

+ Jose A. (Aurora) Becerra-Bejar/St. Francis of Assisi Parish

+ Constantino (Martha) Campos/Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

+ Carlos (Maribel) Cortez/Sts. Peter and Paul Parish

+ Julio (Ana) Palomino/St. Francis of Assisi Parish

+ John (Gracemarie) Goette/St. Francis of Assisi Parish

+ Guillermo (Socorro) Mendez-Lopez/St. Andrew Parish

+ Gerado (Carmen) Marrufo/Cathedral of the Madeleine Parish

+ Carlos (Teresa) Mendez/St. George Parish

+ Joaquin (Erika) Mixco/St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center

+ Fernando (Hirais) Montaño/St. Elizabeth Parish

+ Duane (Karla) Padilla/St. Andrew Parish

+ Daniel (Victoria) Carrillo/San Felipe Parish

+ Howard (Tooky) Schuyler/St. Florence Mission

+ Vicente (Aurora) Vazquez/St. Francis of Assisi Parish

+ Bernardo (Zulma) Villar/St. Rose of Lima Parish