The Melbourne Archdiocese will next month hold one of its largest ordination Masses in recent memory, with nine men to be ordained to the priesthood and diaconate. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
Two men will be ordained to the priesthood (Deacons Rhys Lowther and Dominic Lawes); three to the transitional diaconate (Nicolas Calandra, Andrew Tran and Anthony Wright); and four to the ministry of the permanent diaconate (Ryan Martin, Bradley Proud, Peter Nguyen and Francis Thomas).
The ordinations will take place at St Patrick’s Cathedral on November 14.
“It feels surreal to think in the coming weeks I will be a priest,” said Deacon Rhys Lowther, who sees the day as the joyous culmination of his seven years of formation for the priesthood and the start of a new adventure.
“I feel like I am on the brink of entering the Holy of Holies as I prepare myself to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the first time, pronounce the words of absolution and be immersed in the manifold aspects of priestly life in the service of souls.
“As I consider the responsibility that comes with so great a gift, I am nervous and excited.”
Through the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination, the ordinands will be “configured to Christ, who made himself the servant of all”, Fr Jaycee Napoles, the archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies, said.
But while many will be familiar with the priesthood, few may have heard of the role of deacons and the distinction between the “transitional” diaconate and the “permanent” diaconate.
“The diaconate is the first degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders, followed by the priesthood and the episcopate (the office of bishop),” Fr Napoles explained.
“The Church recognises two types of deacons: transitional deacons, who are preparing to become priests, and permanent deacons, who are called to serve in this ministry for the rest of their lives.”
Peter Nguyen arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1983.
Mr Nguyen had entered the seminary in Vietnam but eventually left. He is now married and has two adult children. However, the desire to serve the Lord has never left him.
“This decision is driven by gratitude for the blessings [my] family has received and a desire to serve others,” he said.
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‘It feels surreal’: nine to be ordained this November (Melbourne Catholic)
