Deaconal Ordination

Yesterday, I attended a Deaconal Ordination of Sem. Carlo del Rosario in UST Chapel. It was my first time to attend such occasion and maybe some of you might be feeling the same way we did. Since it’s a deaconal ordination, it’s one step closer to Priesthood. Let me tell you my experience.

March 19, 2010
Solemnity of St. Joseph
09:30am

I arrived 5 mins before the celebration starts. I looked for Aisce and Ted since they were the ones I know who will come that day. It was like a semi-reunion with my fellow World Youth Day delegates. The Chapel was filled with priests and deacons and of course the family and friends. Aisce even told me that she wondered if she was in Heaven the moment she entered the Chapel. It was peaceful and joyful moment for everyone.

The celebration started with of course the seminarians holding the cross and the candles and then Caloy with his parents walking him down the aisle. It is like a wedding ceremony, same commitment different style of offering oneself. For him, he is giving himself to the Lord and to His people.

He was then followed with LOTS of priests and deacons. Then finally, Archbishop Socrates Villegas walked down the aisle. He was the officiating Minister who was also personally close to Caloy.

The ceremony was normal at the start with lots of singing then after the Gospel, the Ordination Rites started. According to the booklet given, it is the Election of the Candidate. It is when the Rector asks the Archbishop the consent to ordain the candidate and testify that the candidate is worthy to be ordained. Then after, he gave the Homily. It was a very inspiring Homily and you’ll know that he really knows Caloy personally and is also very happy to minister the ordination. Archbishop even bragged about his looks and intelligence being a Magna Cumlaude of Canon Law!

After the Homily is the continuation of the Ordination Rites. The candidate promises to do all that is asked to be a deacon, the commitment to celibacy and the promise of obedience and he will answer “I do“. It was really like a wedding vow! Then after all the promises, the Litany of Supplication was done. This is when the candidate then prostrate himself infront of the Archbishop while the litany was sung. After will be the Laying of the Hands by the Archbishop and the prayer for ordination is said.

Then the Investiture with Stole and Dalmatic was done. The stole and dalmatic was handed by his parents and was put to him by a priest who I guess is very close to him. Then he hugged the priest and his parents with tears on their eyes very happy for their son. Some got teary eyed when his parents were crying while he hugged them.

And then, the Handing on of the Book of the Gospels and says the prayer then the Kiss of Peace will be done. Archbishop gives the newly ordained deacon the fraternal kiss saying: Peace be with you. If you can see Archbishop’s face while hugging him, you can see the joy of a Father very proud of his son. Most of us got teary eyed here coz even Archbishop got teary eyed. Then the other deacons present did the same thing. He is then officially ordained as deacon.

If you’re wondering why I know all these is because I have the booklet with me. 🙂

Then the celebration continued until the speech of thanks by Rev. Caloy that was around 15-30mins long! hahaha. (sbe nga ni Ted, kinarir nya…) He mentioned almost everyone, not by names of course. He even told us that he personally liked the date March 19 since it’s the solemnity of St. Joseph and was happy that the Rector gave that date as his deaconal ordination.

After the Eucharistic Celebration, like weddings and other occasions, is of course Picture Taking! Then next is the reception held in the UST Central Seminary Gym. You can see how many people is happy to see him to be ordained. He practically filled the whole gym with family and friends!

During the reception, I had the chance to bond with my fellow WYD delegates who I haven’t seen for such a long time! It was nice catching up with them. Baby Dominique, Dra. Joy’s daughter is already big and chubby and very cute too! She has a very good appetite according to Ma’m Ninay. No wonder she is so chubby. (sbe nga ni Fr. Roy, namamaga daw si dom! hehehe.) Aisce also updated us that she is graduating next year and she likes someone from ……. secret! hahaha. :p Too bad we’re not complete. Next time, during the Priesthood ordination, we’re hoping that most of the WYD peeps will be present.

By the way, we also got souvenirs after the celebration. Besides his St. Joseph pin is also a box full of goodies! (hindi msyadong halata na mahilig sya kumain!)

It was a happy experience for everyone. Congratulations Rev. Carlo del Rosario!