Deacon Ordinations in Spain, Italy, and Mexico

Spain

On Saturday, June 10th, Cardinal Carlos Osoro, Archbishop of Madrid, presided over the ordination ceremony of 20 deacons, among whom was Father Nicolás Núñez, LC, seminarians from the Madrid Conciliar Seminary, the Redemptoris Mater Missionary Seminary, and two religious from the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary.

“Be servants of compassion and mercy,” said the cardinal during the homily. “Today we do not bring, like Moses, stone tablets; we bring your lives, the lives of all of you, with which the Lord wants to write his diaconate. The Lord will shape in your lives that diaconate of His, that face of service and dedication to the poorest, to those who need it most,” he continued.

He then commented: “Be deacons of joy, of that joy which is the joy of the Gospel. Because today the world needs that joy which comes from encountering Christ and the brothers, from open and sincere listening to the word of God. Joy is a beautiful reality that must be present in your life as deacons.” A more detailed article about Father Nicolás’s deacon ordination can be read here. More photographs at this link.

Italy

On July 1st, Father Stefano Panizzolo, LC was ordained deacon by Mons. Claudio Cipolla at the Church of the Apparitions of the Most Holy Virgin Mary of Lourdes in Busa di Vigonza, Padua. Several Legionary priests attended the Eucharistic celebration, including Fathers Eduardo Robles-Gil, LC, and Manuel Álvarez Vorrath, LC, diocesan priests, family members and friends of Father Stefano, and members of Regnum Christi.

Father Manuel Álvarez, LC, addressed some words to Father Stefano’s parents, saying: “You are the fertile ground where God has fixed His gaze and has sown the precious pearl of a vocation.” Then, speaking to the trainers of the new deacon, he said: “With them, Father Stefano has learned how to be a priest, how to love Christ, the Church, the Pope, Mary, and souls. His presence and paternal advice have illuminated his formation.”

Finally, addressing those present, he commented: “You are the reason for our priesthood. It is worth being a priest. It is worth leaving everything to follow Christ, because there is nothing more beautiful than having been reached, surprised by Jesus. It is worth being an instrument so that God’s joy, which wants to burst into this world, reaches all men through our littleness. Keep praying for us, please, so that we can continue loving the Lord more and more.” A more complete article about Father Stefano’s ordination can be read in Italian. More photographs on Flickr.

Mexico City

On June 17th, Father Ignacio León, LC, was ordained deacon by Cardinal Alberto Suárez Inda at the Parish of La Esperanza de María, in Parques del Pedregal, Mexico City.

The archbishop, addressing Brother Ignacio during the homily, said: “The Lord wants you to follow Him wherever He calls you; He calls you to make you His messenger and for the beautiful mission of making Him present and being a servant to your brothers. You will be called deacon like Jesus, the perfect deacon who came not to be served but to serve. How much need there is today in Mexico and society for brothers deacons, for people willing to serve in love and charity!”

He further said: “You must be a man filled with the Spirit and filled with God’s love to be a living witness of that grace. May He fill you with His Spirit so that you may be a credible witness of His love.” A more detailed note with photographs of Father Ignacio’s deacon ordination can be seen at this link.