From CatholicPhilly.com:
The number of permanent deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia increased by 21 on Saturday, June 6, through the ordination ceremony and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Charles Chaput at the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul.
This newest class of permanent deacons was unique in several respects. It is the second largest class since the permanent diaconate was instituted in the archdiocese in 1981. It was almost evenly balanced between city and suburban candidates, countering recent years when almost all deacons were coming from and assigned to their suburban parishes…
…In his homily, Archbishop Chaput pointed to a recent book by New York Times columnist David Brooks, “The Road to Character.” In it Brooks spoke of two types of virtues, resume virtues and eulogy virtues.
The first one people might utilize when seeking employment, the other what people would wish others to say about them when they die.
Resume virtues could include how much education we have, how energetic we have been, what our employment history was and how clever we are at making money.
Eulogy virtues could include kindness, forgiveness, bravery and honesty.
“Most of us say the eulogy virtues are the most important, but most of the time we act like the resume virtues are most important,” the archbishop observed, as he challenged his new deacons to model themselves after the selflessness of Jesus, as shown in the Gospels.
Nineteen of the new deacons are married men, which was reflected by the huge number of extended family members present for ordination. The unity of the order of deacons was also represented by the large number of already ordained permanent deacons who attended.
Permanent deacons at this time undergo a seven-year process, including an initial year of aspirancy before their formal training begins.
Seven years???
Read more and check out the gallery of pictures at the link.
Congratulations, brothers, and welcome! Ad multos annos!
