On Sunday 9th of October in the Chapel of St Angela’s College in Sligo the candidates for the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Elphin edged ever closer towards ordination. Gathered with their wives, family, friends and priests from their home and placement parishes they were officially instituted as ‘Readers’ in a beautiful and simple ceremony. During Sunday morning and afternoon, they had prepared for the event with a day of quiet prayer and recollection, while their wives and families enjoyed a visit to the Holy Well in Sligo and a tour of Lough Gill.

Beginning their third year of training and formation – they came before the church –represented in those gathered with their priests and bishop – to take this further official step towards their ordination as Permanent Deacons which will take place in less than eighteen months from now. During the ceremony, they were entrusted with the task of taking the word of God deeper into their own lives, publically proclaiming the word of God, instructing people in the faith and preparing them to receive the sacraments. As a symbol of this commissioning the Bishop presented each of them with the book of the Gospels saying “take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of the people.”

The ceremony was also a time to reflect on the call to ministry as a Permanent Deacon – and the role that, once ordained, Permanent Deacons will fulfil in the Diocese. In a special way the Permanent Deacon is a reminder of Jesus’ call to his followers to live a life of service to God and each other – a call so vividly portrayed when he took bowl and towel and washed his disciples feet at the last supper. To quote from the Homily “deacons by who they are and what they do – the very name ‘deacon’ means ‘servant’ – should remind us of that key Christian message of loving service to others in the bits and pieces of our every day life. Bowl and towel always to the ready.”

Congratulations were extended to the candidates, to their wives, families, parishes and the many priests and lay-people involved in their formation. Prayers were also offered for them as they continue on their journey to be ordained as the first Permanent Deacons to serve in the Diocese of Elphin since ancient times or perhaps, the first ever.

Candidates for the Permanent Diacoante with Bishop Jones after their Institution as Reader on October 9th 2011