John Joseph Ellis, Jr. and four of his classmates were ordained as Permanent Deacons for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on Saturday, 8 June at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The Rite of Ordination includes the promise of respect and obedience as well as the resolve to live a life of humble charity, steadfast faith, prayerfulness, and a conforming of life to the example of Christ. The Rite continues with the Litany of Supplication of the Saints accompanied with prostration. This Prayer follows the Laying on of Hands.
Draw near, we pray, Almighty God, giver of every grace, who apportion every order and assign every office, who remain unchanged, but make all things new.
In your eternal providence, you make provisions for every age, as you order all creation through him who is your word, your power and your wisdom, Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord.
You grant that the Church, his Body, adorned with manifold heavenly graces, drawn together in the diversity of its members, and united by a wondrous bond through the Holy Spirit, should grow and spread forth to build up a new temple and, as once you chose the sons of Levi to minister in the former tabernacle, so now you establish three ranks of ministers in their sacred offices to serve in your name.
And so, in the first days of your Church, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, your Son’s Apostles appointed seven men of good repute to assist them in the daily ministry, that they might devote themselves more fully to prayer and preaching of the word. By prayer and the laying on of hands they entrusted to these chosen men the ministry of serving at table.
We beseech you, Lord: look with favor on these servants of yours who will minister at your holy altar and whom we now humbly dedicate to the office of Deacon.
Send forth upon them, Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, that they may be strengthened by the gift of your sevenfold grace for the faithful carrying out of the work of the ministry.
May there abound in them every Gospel virtue: unfeigned love, concern for the sick and poor, unassuming authority, the purity of innocence, and the observance of spiritual discipline.
May your commandments shine forth in their conduct, so that by the example of their way of life they may inspire the imitation of your holy people, In offering the witness of a clear conscience, may they remain strong and steadfast in Christ, so that by imitating on earth your Son, who came not to be served but to serve, they may be found worthy to reign in heaven with him. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
Following this prayer the Deacon is vested with the diaconal stole and dalmatic. They are handed the Book of the Gospel – “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
The ritual concludes with the Fraternal Kiss as the Deacons present welcome their newly ordained brothers.
The highlight of the ritual was seeing Deacon John, Sr. vest his son with the stole and dalmatic. A moment of pride for the Ellis family and the family at Our Lady of Peace Parish.
Deacon John, Jr. has been assigned to Our Lady of Peace Parish and we look forward to sharing in his enthusiasm, zeal, faith, and love of the Gospel message of hope and salvation. Congratulations, John to you and your family!