Diaconate Ordination Reflection

After so many years of seminary formation, so many meetings, classes, and attending so many ordinations of my brothers, it was almost hard to believe that the time had come for my own ordination to the diaconate! Ordination day was an almost surreal experience. I am so grateful and humbled for the gift of my vocation. About a month has passed since our ordination, and I am only just now starting to unpack the amazing work which the Lord wrought in my soul, consecrating me forever to serve Him and His Church with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I now have the great privilege and blessing of being assigned to minister at St. Damien Parish in Ocean City.

In my time serving as a deacon in the parish so far, I have already had manifold opportunities to minister to the people of Ocean City: preaching at Mass, presiding at exposition and benediction, bringing the Eucharist to people at the nursing home, accompanying the priests for anointings, participating in various meetings and parish events, giving adult faith formation presentations, and numerous other things.

Among my favorite moments as a deacon thus far has been having the opportunity to serve as the deacon at three of my friends’ first Masses as newly ordained priests, one here in Camden and two in New York. Being able to be up on the altar with my friends and brothers as they celebrate Mass for the very first time was an immensely edifying and consoling experience. It made me even more excited that in less than a year, I too will be a priest of Jesus Christ! I am so grateful for the opportunities God has given me so far, and all that He has in store for the year ahead.