March 15th was a special day for Redemptorist missionaries because they celebrated the feast of Saint Clement Maria Hofbauer, considered the second founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. In 2025, the date becomes even more important for the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida, as two news deacons were ordained: Caio Oliveira Bueno and Pablo Vinícius Reis Moreira.
One day after confirming their “yes” to God as Redemptorist Missionaries, during the celebration of their Perpetual Vows at the Santo Afonso Seminary in Aparecida (SP), the two young men were ordained deacons at the Central Altar of the National Shrine, with the motto: “The love of Christ urges us on” (2 Cor 5:14).
The celebration was presided over by Archbishop Orlando Brandes of Aparecida. The Provincial Superior of the Province of Our Lady of Aparecida, Father Marlos Aurélio da Silva, C.Ss.R., concelebrated, along with the Bishop Emeritus of Coari, Bishop Joércio Gonçalves Pereira, C.Ss.R., and the Archbishop of Diamantina, Bishop Darci José Nicioli, C.Ss.R., who preached during the Holy Mass.
In his reflection, Bishop Darci highlighted the diaconate ministry as a “service” from the perspective of Jesus and recalled a phrase from the Constitutions of the Redemptorist Congregation, which is engraved on the altar of the Chapel of the Seminary of Santo Afonso:
“The vocation of deacon is at the beginning, at the source of all ecclesial ministry. Because ordained ministers and extraordinary ministers need to be servants par excellence, in the manner of Jesus, conformed to Him (…) every minister must be imbued with this vocation. Therefore, Paul and Caius and the brothers of the ordained ministry, we always serve but let us understand service from the perspective of Jesus, which is synonymous with giving one’s life. And for us Redemptorists, I recall a phrase engraved on the altar of the Saint Alphonsus Seminary. This phrase is the motto of that blessed institution, which formed so many religious and priests for the Church: ‘Dies impendere pro redemptis,’ that is, to spend one’s life, to spend oneself, to commit oneself, and to serve for the cause of Redemption. This is the sole purpose of those who become ministers, servants, and deacons of the Church of Christ.”
The new deacons expressed their desire to assume this ministry through the liturgy of Elect and prayed the Litany. Before the vestment, Archbishop Orlando by laying on of hands on Caius and Paul, prayed the Ordination Prayer.
At the end of the celebration, Deacon Pablo Vinícius gave thanks on behalf of those ordained and took the opportunity to address the young people present and who were pursuing their ordination through the Aparecida Communications Network, urging them to pursue the Redemptorist vocation.
May Mary, servant of the Father, Saint Alphonsus, Saint Clement, and all the saints and blessed of the Redemptorist Congregation help young deacons live the grace of this ministry!
(a12.com)
