On Friday 30th October 2015, six seminarians and a Conventual Franciscan friar are going to be ordained deacons by Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, during a celebration of Mass starting at 6:30pm, at St Sebastian’s Parish Church, Ħal Qormi.

The following will be ordained deacons: Allister Marija Aquilina OFM Conv.; Sergio Fenech and Mark Mallia Pawley from St Sebastian’s Parish Church, Ħal Qormi; Claude Mifsud, from the Parish of the Assumption of Our Lady, Mosta; James Saydon, from the Parish of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Naxxar; Andrew Schembri from St George’s Parish, Ħal Qormi; and Gilbert Scicluna from St Joseph’s Parish, Kalkara.

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 Conventual Franciscans urge 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.