The ordination rite of transitional deacon is ancient but ever-new. Bobby Vogel bears witness to this sacred rite as he was ordained a transitional deacon on April 15 at St. Meinrad Archabbey.
It marks his transition to the presbyterate when he will eventually be ordained a priest next year. Two other men, Sam Rosko and Anthony Armbruster were also ordained as transitional deacons.
What is a Transitional Deacon?
A transitional deacon is one step away from the Sacrament of Holy Orders to the priesthood.
Deacon Vogel, a son of St. Joseph Parish, can now preach, baptize, witness marriages, offer Communion to the sick and aged, and other ministerial duties.
A deacon is a sacramental sign to the Church and the world of Christ, who came to serve and not to be served. As the USCCB notes: “a deacon is a servant in a servant-Church.”
The beauty of ordination
One of the most beautiful moments in the transitional ordination rite is the laying on of hands by the archbishop. This ancient gesture comes to us from the times of the apostles, bestowing the Holy Spirit on a man to allow him to carry out his sacred ministerial duties. It moves onto the archbishop giving the diaconate candidates the Holy Gospels proclaiming:
“Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become.”
A golden book of the Gospels is given to each deacon as the archbishop announces:
Believe what you read. Teach what you believe.
Practice what you preach.”
Below are several pictures, courtesy of St. Meinrad, of Deacon Vogel’s ordination:
Watch the Ordination
You can also watch Deacon Vogel’s ordination and the Laying on of Hands around minute mark 45. At the one hour mark is where Deacon Vogel receives the Holy Gospel.
The ordination was attended by several seminarians from the Catholic Community of Jennings County.
Deacon Vogel’s ordination shows the importance of prayers for vocations and our priests. Join Fr. Byrd’s prayer cenacle for more powerful ways to shower graces upon our young men discerning a call to the priesthood at this link.
