City of Mexico, Mexico, July 2, 2016. Cardinal Norberto Rivera Carrera, Primate Archbishop of Mexico, ordained seven members of the Legion of Christ as deacons in the old Basilica of Guadalupe.

The new deacons are Pablo Solís Aguirre, Francisco Javier Delgado, Carlos A. Castañeda, Francisco J. Iñarritu, César Hernández, Alfredo Hernández, and Eduardo Favila Alba. They will be ordained priests on December 10th at the Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano in Rome.

Family members and friends, Legionary priests and diocesan clergy, and members of the Regnum Christi Movement accompanied the new deacons in the celebration. Father Ricardo Sada, L.C., territorial director of the Legion of Christ for Mexico and Central America, thanked the families of the new deacons with the following words:

«I also want to thank and congratulate the families of the deacons. Thank you for your generosity and for being instruments of God so that this miracle could happen and they could receive the sacred orders in their first step… How good is God! How many moments of doubt, fears, sadness for feeling the absence of the son, the brother, the friend! How many moments make sense today! And in such a special way. Now they are chosen by God and He has given them the immense gift of the priestly order».

During his homily, Cardinal Rivera said to the new deacons: «Deaconship is a gift with which the Church of God is strengthened… The ministry of Christ is one ministry, and in deaconship, the service to the community, the service to the poorest, is emphasized. Remember that only the word of Christ transforms the heart of man. Only the word of Christ remains forever. Only the word of God makes all things fruitful… When you have to serve the poorest, know that you received the Holy Spirit for that purpose. Many times, that service is difficult, it is ignored. Many times, that service has no collaboration from those who should provide it. But you, young deacons, must remain, knowing that it is the Holy Spirit who has sent you to help others».

Some of these young men who were ordained found their priestly vocation after completing a university degree, some already when they had a job. Others discovered it from childhood, entering a vocational center. Two of the new deacons volunteered for a year working in service to others in Regnum Christi apostolates in the collaborators program.

[gdlr_heading tag=”h2″ icon=”icon-heart” font_weight=”bold” ]What is a deacon?[/gdlr_heading]

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the ecclesiastical ministry, instituted by God, is exercised in various orders that have long been called bishops, presbyters, and deacons (Lumen Gentium 28). Catholic doctrine, expressed in liturgy, magisterium, and the constant practice of the Church, recognizes that there are three degrees of ministerial participation in the priesthood of Christ: episcopate, presbyterate, and diaconate. Among other things, deacons are responsible for assisting the Bishop and presbyters in the celebration of the divine mysteries.

Deacons participate in a special way in the mission and grace of Christ. The Sacrament of Orders marked them with a seal (character) that no one can erase and that configures them with Christ, who became a servant of all. It is the duty of deacons to assist the bishop and presbyters in the celebration of divine mysteries. Especially the Eucharist and its distribution. To assist at the celebration of marriage and bless it. To proclaim the gospel and preach, preside over funerals, and engage in various acts of charity.