Tomorrow, Sunday 9th November, 2014, four seminarians and a Capuchin friar are going to be ordained deacons by His Lordship Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna, Titular Bishop of San Leone, Apostolic Administrator, Sede Vacante, during a mass celebrated at Christ the King Parish Church, Paola, commencing at 6:00pm.

The five deacons-to-be are, Carlo Calleja from Stella Maris Parish Church, Sliema, Abraham D’Amato, from St Peter in Chains Parish, Birżebbuġa, Christopher Ellul, from Christ the King Parish, Paola, Br Bertrand Vella OFMCap and Mark Joseph Zammit from the Annunciation Parish, Tarxien.

Through the ordination to the Diaconate, the new deacon is configured to Jesus Christ, the perfect ‘deacon’ who made himself the servant of all. The duties pertinent to the deacon comprise first and foremost to offer his life to serve others with love and dedication wherever needed; to assist the bishop and the priest during the celebration of the sacred mysteries, especially the Eucharist, to administer the sacrament of Baptism, to assist the celebration of marriage and bless the marital bond, to proclaim and preach the Gospel, and to lead prayers during the funeral rite.

The community of the Major Seminary and the Friars Minor Capuchins are urging everyone to pray for these new deacons, and to pray to the Lord that those whom he calls to the priestly and religious life may respond generously and wholeheartedly.