On Saturday 9 March, The Province of Nossa Senhora Aparecida celebrated the deaconate ordination of three new Redemptorist brothers: Guilherme Dias Viana, Joílson Ramos Santos and Thiago Costa Alves de Souza. The Ordination of the new deacons took place at the Central Altar of the National Sanctuary, in Aparecida (SP).
The day after confirming their “yes” to God as Redemptorist Missionaries, made their Perpetual Vows, at the Saint Alphonsus Seminary, the young men were ordained deacons by the Archbishop of Aparecida, Monsignor Orlando Brandes, who presided over the Holy Mass, concelebrated by the Provincial Superior of the Nossa Senhora Aparecida Province, Fr. Marlos Aurélio da Silva, C.Ss.R, the Provincial Councilors Fr. Américo Oliveira, C.Ss.R, and Fr. Roque Silva, C.Ss.R., as well as Father Domingos Sávio, C.Ss.R.
Monsignor Orlando Brandes recalled that “serving” is expressed in the mission of Our Lady, Patroness of the Province, and also of the founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Saint Alphonsus Maria de Ligouri:
“How can we not look today at Saint Alphonsus, who served as a deacon before founding the Congregation, there in the hospital for the incurable, taking care of the wounded, those condemned to be doomed? There was this service, which was not easy. On the outskirts of Naples there are places of robbers and Saint Alphonsus goes there, at the service of those most abandoned. The place of the deacon is on the periphery, starting with Jesus and Saint Alphonsus.”The three new deacons expressed their desire to take on this ministry according to the purpose of the elect and recited the prayer of the litanies. Before the investiture, Guilherme, Joílson and Thiago received the laying on of hands and the prayer of ordination. They also received the Holy Gospel from the hands of the Archbishop of Aparecida.
Before concluding the celebration, Deacon Thiago Costa Alves de Souza, C.Ss.R, thanked on behalf of the ordained:
“Today is Thanksgiving Day. Deacon Guilherme, Deacon Joílson and I, Deacon Thiago, first of all, give thanks to God the Father, our Creator, who has given us the joy of celebrating our vocation to the diaconal ministry. Our thanks to the most reverend mons. Orlando, Archbishop of Aparecida and fellow Oblate of our Congregation. To the Provincial Superior of the Province of Nuestra Señora Aparecida, Father Marlos, and to his council. Dear brothers, formators, men and women religious, seminarians, family members and friends present here and those who accompany us through the Aparecida Communication Network. Our most sincere thanks to you. Pray for us, so that we can be faithful in our mission. May Mother of Aparecida help us in our service to the Church and grant us the grace of perseverance.”
May Our Lady of Aparecida and Saint Alphonsus help the young Redemptorists to experience this grace of the Diaconate!
(a12.com)
