The role of deacon is one of service. The deacon is to serve at the altar, and be minister of the word, and serve in the world through acts of charity. We heard about this role of the deacon, from Archbishop Terry Prendergast, SJ, at the ordinations at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Toronto. Along with the ordination of one new priest, Greg Kennedy, I and three others had the honour of being ordained deacon that day.

An important aspect of my experience on Saturday was one of being served. I received much that day. I received the blessing, and commissioning for future ministry, of the Archbishop and of the Church. I felt very grateful to receive such a gift and to be entrusted with this new role and position. I also received the gift of a beautiful liturgy, made possible by the behind-the-scenes work of many; and the gift of the presence and support of many friends. 

I had my part to play in the ceremony, of course; but mostly I felt like I could sit back and experience the event, and that I was thus being served by the many people who had worked to make this liturgy happen. For example, I thought of, and saw in action, a couple of Jesuit scholastics from the first studies community, who had done much work in preparation for the event.

I mentioned, above, the presence of both those who had worked on the event, and friends; and these categories were delightfully intertwined at the celebration. From my front row seat I had a good spot for seeing and listening to the choir, which was made up largely of Regis College students and faculty. It was special for me that friends from the college had volunteered to help out with the event, including spending a few hours at choir practice under the tutelage of Sean Mulrooney. The liturgy was also much enlivened by Haitian music, singing and dancing.            

Through this sacrament and liturgy, I feel like I have been enlivened and prepared for the ministry of service which I am to undertake this year, as deacon. Now, at the top of this article, I wrote about the role of deacon. We were reminded at the ordination Mass, though, that being a deacon is not just about what we do; but it is also about who we are. Archbishop Terry told us: “On ne fait pas diacre. On est diacre.” To me, this means that I am called not only to take on tasks that can be called acts of service; but am also called to be a person of service, to somehow embody service, as Jesus did. I pray that I might grow in a spirit of loving service toward my brothers and sisters, and all of creation, during my year of diaconate.

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Source for all photos: Moussa Faddoul