On Saturday, December 18, in the Cathedral, Msgr. Corrado Sanguineti ordained Riccardo Cambisio and Daniele Sacchi, students of our seminary, as deacons.
In his homily, the bishop recalled that "First of all, it is the Son of the Eternal One who, by assuming our human condition, accepts the will of the Father, becomes obedient, a servant of God and of men. Saint Paul, in different languages, expresses the mystery of the Son's abasement, of a God who strips himself of his glory to come among us as a servant. [...] The first to be involved in the mystery of the Lord's coming in our flesh, Mary and Joseph, also assume the position of humble service, to God, in obedience to his word and his plan, and to their brothers [...]", going on to remind the candidates and all those present that "the ministry of the diaconate – the lowest grade of the sacrament of orders – is the ministry that makes the gift of Christ the servant present in the Church and helps the Christian community live the dynamic of service. The diaconate, which the Second Vatican Council re-established in its full configuration, not only as a stage towards the priesthood, but also as a stable and permanent ministry, therefore expresses a reality of grace that enriches the concrete life of our communities.".
Addressing Riccardo and Daniele, Bishop Sanguineti recalled how "being deacons, the gift of configuration to Christ the Servant, [...] is something permanent, because even when, God willing, you become priests, you must never lose the aptitude for service, which now, as deacons, you will be called to carry out under three specific and specific aspects. Consecrated by a special gift of the Holy Spirit, you will assist me, bishop, and the presbyterate in the ministry of the Word, of the altar, and of charity. As ministers of the Word, you will be able to preach by giving the homily, you will have the task of exhorting and instructing in the doctrine of Christ, through catechesis and other forms of proclamation and encounter, seeking to reach even those on the threshold, those seeking faith. As ministers of the altar, you will prepare what is necessary for the Eucharistic sacrifice, distribute the body and blood of the Lord to the faithful, even visiting the sick. You will be able to lead prayer, administer baptism, bless marriages, bring Viaticum to the dying, and preside at funeral rites. As ministers of charity, you are called to show particular concern for the sick, the poor, and those who are lonely or suffering, fostering a concrete witness of charity within the diocesan Church and parish communities, in communion with the priests and the bishop. It is truly a great gift that you receive today, not for yourselves, but for the Church, for her life and mission: may the diaconate be truly welcomed and lived fully by you, maturing and growing in your openness to Christ, in your sense of being part of a local Church, gathered around the bishop, and never lacking the witness of service, as a form of existence for every disciple of the Lord.
It can be downloaded here the complete homily
