Bishop Walkowiak celebrated Mass with the Institution to Ministry of Lector for three deacon candidates just entering their third year of formation at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23 in the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. Those who received the rite of lector are: Christian Cifuentes, Juan Carlos Perez Bedolla, and Matthew Schmitz. All were welcome to attend Mass in support of our candidates as they continue their journey.
“The lector is instituted to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel. He may also announce the intentions for the Universal Prayer and, in the absence of a psalmist, recite the Psalm between the readings” (GIRM #99).
The three men, members of the Nicholas Class, were admitted to candidacy for the diaconate, the first formal step in becoming a permanent deacon, on Jan. 24, 2023.
The wives of the deacon candidates are an integral part of the diaconate program. They support their husbands through prayer, sacrifice, and by assuming added duties of home and family.
This is the third class of permanent deacons for the diocese since the deacon formation program was reinstated in 2015 by Bishop Walkowiak. Nine men in the formation program’s second class, the Parmenas Class, are currently candidates to be ordained deacons in January 2024. Seven men in the formation program’s first class were ordained in 2022.
Deacons are one of three major orders of the sacrament of holy orders, the others are priests and bishops. Deacons may officiate at baptisms, weddings and funerals, read the Gospel and preach at Mass, and help with the canonical process for marriage and baptism, but one of their greatest priorities is service to the poor and marginalized.
Click here to learn more about the permanent diaconate program in our diocese.
