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STEPS TO ORDINATION

Rite of Candidacy

Ministry of Lector

Ministry of Acolyte

Rite of Ordination

Back to Top RITE OF CANDIDACY At the end of the first year of formation (known as the Aspirancy Period), those aspirants, who have been selected by the Committee and the Bishop to continue on then submit a petition, drawn up and signed in their own hand, to the Bishop requesting candidacy. After the Rite of Candidacy has been conferred the candidate can then formally continue his formation in the Diaconate School of Theology. He receives this Rite of Candidacy prior to his receiving the Ministry of Reader and The Ministry of Acolyte. .

Aspirants presenting themselves to the Bishop

Candidates December 2009

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Candidates November 2005

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MINISTRY OF LECTOR The candidate at the end of the second year petitions for and if selected receives the Ministry of Lector. This calls them to be servants of the Living Word of God. In proclaiming the readings at liturgy, the reader does more than simply read. Those who exercise the ministry of lector must be truly suited and carefully prepared, so that the faithful may develop a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture from listening to the sacred readings.

Bishop conferring Ministry of Lector

Back to Top MINISTRY OF ACOLYTE The candidate at the end of the third year petitions for and if selected receives the Ministry of Acolyte. As an acolyte the candidate is appointed to aid the deacon and to minister to the priest. It is his duty to attend to the service of the altar and to assist the deacon and the priest in liturgical celebrations, especially in the celebration of Mass He distributes communion as a special eucharistic minister when appropriate.

Candidates presenting themselves to the Bishop

After Receiving the Ministry of Acolyte

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Wives of the Candidates participate in the Mass

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RITE OF ORDINATION At the end of the fourth year of formation prior to ordination the candidate must sign an Oath of Freedom, a Profession of Faith and make formal petition for Ordination to the Diaconate. A married candidate's spouse must also sign a Statement of Consent. Before ordination candidates for the Diaconate shall give to the Ordinary (the Bishop) a declaration drawn up and signed in their own hand, by which they testify that they are about to receive the order freely and of their own accord. Unmarried candidates are required to take a vow of Celibacy. A married candidate is not required to make a vow of celibacy but in accordance with the traditional discipline of the Church, a married deacon whose spouse has died cannot enter a new marriage unless given proper dispensation from the Holy See.

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Examination of Intent

Promise of Obedience to the Bishop and his Successors

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Prostration and Litany of the Saints

Laying on of Hands

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“Receive the Gospel of Christ”

Investiture of Dalmatic and Stole - the signs of the Office of Deacon

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

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Deacon Class of 2008

Deacon Class of 2005

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Deacon Class of 2001

Deacon Class of 1997

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New Deacon and Family with Bishop Griffin

New Deacon and Family with Bishop Griffin