First Sunday of Advent (A)

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The Unknown Day and Hour   Lectionary: 1 Reading 1 -  Isaiah 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 122: 1-9 Reading 2 -  Romans 13:11-14 Alleluia -  Cf. Psalm 85:8 Gospel -  Matthew 24:37-44 '... Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.' Introduction  As we gather on this First Sunday of Advent , we also mark the beginning of the Church’s new liturgical calendar and a four-week preparation period leading up to Christmas. The word Advent comes from either of two Latin words, which simply mean “to come” (Ad-venire) or “to arrive” (Ad-ventus), and as early as the fourth (4th) century, Christians have had this special time of preparation towards Christmas. Of course, Advent is not merely a countdown to Christmas; Even as we begin the material preparations for the social celebration of Christmas, the liturgical celebrations of these weeks invite us to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. But what does the co...
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Deacon Call to Holy Orders

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Holy orders in the Catholic Church

The sacrament of holy orders in the Catholic Church includes three orders: bishops, priests, and deacons, in decreasing order of rank, collectively comprising the clergy. In the phrase "holy orders", the word "holy" means "set apart for a sacred purpose". The word "order" designates an established civil body or corporation with a hierarchy, and ordination means legal incorporation into an order. In context, therefore, a group with a hierarchical structure that is set apart for ministry in the Church.

The Diaconate is one of the three Major Orders in the Catholic Church. The first deacons were ordained by the Apostles in Acts of the Apostles chapter 6. The ministry of the deacon in the Roman Catholic Church is described as one of service in three areas: the Word, the Liturgy and Charity. The deacon's ministry of the Word includes proclaiming the Gospel during the Mass, preaching and teaching. The deacon's liturgical ministry includes various parts of the Mass proper to the deacon, including being an ordinary minister of Holy Communion and the proper minister of the chalice when Holy Communion is administered under both kinds. The ministry of charity involves service to the poor and marginalized and working with parishioners to help them become more involved in such ministry. As clerics, deacons are required to say the Liturgy of the Hours daily; Deacons, like bishops and priests, are ordinary ministers of the Sacrament of Baptism and can serve as the church's witness at the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, which the bride and groom administer to each other. Deacons may also preside over funeral rites outside of Mass, They can preside over various services such as Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, and they may give certain blessings.

The Call to Holy orders

While all the baptized share in Christ's priesthood, the ministerial priesthood shares this through the Sacrament of Holy Orders in a special way.  Ordination to the priesthood is always a call and a gift from God. Christ reminded his Apostles that they needed to ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into the harvest.  Those who seek priesthood respond generously to God's call using the words of the prophet, "Here I am, send me" (Is 6:8).  This call from God can be recognized and understood from the daily signs that disclose his will to those in charge of discerning the vocation of the candidate.

From St. Mary’s Catholic Church Website
In the end, it is your bishop who has the task of discerning your gifts and vocation. The call to the priest­ hood is a very special gift or charism. It is not a private blessing, but a summons to public service, in and for the Church. As the one who speaks in a special way for Jesus and his Church, your bishop will play a vital role in helping you to discover and fulfill the call of Jesus. Only when he lays hands on you at your ordination can you be fully sure that you are called to be a priest.

Through the apostles Jesus called others to share his ministry. He continues this today, through his bishops. We cannot totally separate Jesus’ silent call to our hearts and the bishop’s acceptance of our vocation. The bishop is in the fullest sense the living instrument of the Good Shepherd himself, and the ministry of a priest makes no sense apart from the bishop who calls a man to share his ministry. It is his confirmation above all that you will need before you can be really confident about the feeling you have.


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Dear Mister Larson:

    Allow me this opportunity to acknowledge your recent letter, wherein you petition to be ordained to the Order of Deacon. I am pleased to inform you that I have received the recommendations of Deacon Christopher Z. Connelly, Director for the Permanent Diaconate, regarding your readiness for ordination to the diaconate. In his considered estimation, you have responded generously to the formation program, and you are well prepared and properly disposed to receive this Sacrament of Holy Orders.

    It is with great joy and gratitude to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that I hereby call you to the Order of Deacon. The ordination Mass will take place on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, at ten o'clock in the morning. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly as you prepare to receive this Sacrament and to enter into the service of the people of God as a deacon.

    Please be assured of my prayers as you approach this most blessed moment of your responding to the Lord's call to service.

Asking God's blessings upon you and all whom you hold dear, I am, 
Fraternally yours in Christ,

Archbishop of Boston


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