I want to be your friend, Jesus Christ
Schoenstatt has seven new deacons
November 29th, 2020 - Luciana Muller
Under the motto “I want to be your friend, Jesus Christ”, full of fervor, seven new deacons were ordained on November 14th, as members of the Community of the Schoenstatt Fathers. The event took place in the Schoenstatt Shrine “Valle Hermoso del Niño Jesús” in Colina, in the Metropolitan Region of Santiago, Chile.
New servants of Christ
This day they took another step on their way to the priesthood, to which Jesus had called them from the beginning, to follow him and bring the Gospel to all people. This is the case of Pedro Brás (Portugal), Juan Molina (Argentina), Filipe Araujo and Rafael Flausino (Brazil), Sebastián Espinoza, Joaquín Lobos and Sergio Vallejos (Chile).
All of them began their journey of formation in 2012 with the novitiate in Paraguay, close to the Schoenstatt Shrine of Tuparendá, with the exception of Sergio who had made his novitiate two years earlier. In 2014, they finished their novitiate to continue their studies in theology and philosophy. During the following years, they did social and pastoral practices in different parts of the world. In addition, they collaborated with the Boys’ Youth in various areas of Chile and contributed to various local institutions. It is expected that next year they will be ordained as priests in their home countries.
A unique diaconal ordination
The celebration was an afternoon full of emotions and joy. Given the current health circumstances, the ceremony was attended by a limited number of family and friends and was broadcast live through the Youtube channel “Colegio Mayor PJK”, through which the loved ones of the new deacons were able to participate, accompany and express their messages of support and love.
The event was presided by the Apostolic Nuncio of Chile, Monsignor Alberto Ortega Martin. In his homily, he emphasized that “today’s celebration is good news, a sign of hope that fills us with joy. In addition, he spoke of the importance and the need to unite friendship with Jesus in the service of others, a fundamental attitude of the diaconate: “The love of God is always united to the love of our brothers and sisters. Today these dimensions of love acquire a new strength: service. From this friendship with God you must love and serve your brothers,” the celebrant said.
For this reason, the deacons chose this prayer from Fr. Esteban Gumucio during their preparation:
“I want to be your friend, Jesus Christ,
I want to be your friend.
Find your gentle burden and light load
and carry everywhere, in my body and in my soul,
your life in spring.”
After prostrating himself and giving communion for the first time, Filipe thanked all the love they received during their years of formation and the great amount of material and prayer contributions to make this moment possible. Finally, they entered the Shrine to thank our Mother for the fruits of this long journey.
In this special time, we can count on seven new deacon friends of Jesus. They will be able to serve the Church and the Schoenstatt family. May the Blessed Mother and Jesus accompany them in their vocation as future priests, so that they may serve as instruments of God.
– Video ordination November 14, 2020: www.bit.ly/39mUV0c