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Candidate for permanent diaconate receives rite

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
(Email Katie)

Cathedral of the Epiphany parishioner, Jorge Fernandez, was called forth on Aug. 28 to receive the Rite of Candidacy for holy orders.

Bishop Walker Nickless was present for the 10:30 a.m. Spanish Mass to bestow the rite on the candidate for the permanent diaconate. Father William Vit, rector of the Cathedral of the Epiphany, presided at the Mass.

“Jorge Fernandez has been preparing for several years to be ordained a deacon for the service of our diocese, especially for those who speak Spanish. Father Vit and Father Lingle are eagerly looking forward to his ordination this coming June,” said Bishop Nickless. “I, too, am so pleased that Jorge has answered God’s call to become a deacon.”

He thanked Fernandez for his dedication and study. He said he sensed in Fernandez a desire “to grow in holiness. I look forward to your service as a deacon.”

The Rite of Candidacy was another step, said the bishop, on Fernandez’s journey.

“Jorge, you are called as a candidate to offer your life as a living sacrifice to God and your brothers and sisters. You are called to suffer with Christ for the sake of your brothers and sisters,” said Bishop Nickless. “I thank you for your willingness to give your life in service to the church as a deacon.”

He also thanked Santa (Fernandez’s wife), his family, friends and some of his classmates for being present for the ceremony. He thanked them for “supporting him and for the good work they do in praying for our brother as he takes this important step.”

He acknowledged two seminarians, David Esquiliano-Diaz and Pedro Pablo, who were servers for the Mass. The bishop said he hopes that many more vocations “come from this parish and community.”

Father Vit gave the homily in Spanish. He talked to the congregation about the readings and about the rite that Fernandez would receive during the Mass.

“This call from the Lord should be recognized and understood from the daily signs which reveal God’s will to men of discernment,” said the priest. “When God chooses men to share in the ordained priesthood of Christ, he moves and helps them by his grace. At the same time, he entrusts us with the task of calling suitable and approved candidates and of consecrating them by a special seal of the Holy Spirit to the ministry of God and of the church.”

He said that Fernandez has already begun his preparation so that later “he may be called to ordination by the bishop.”

“Day by day he will learn to live the life of the Gospel and deepen his faith, hope and love,” said Father Vit. “In the practice of these virtues he will gain the spirit of prayer and grow in zeal to win the world to Christ.”

Fernandez said that the Rite of Candidacy means that the church is accepting him to continue to prepare to become a deacon and a better Catholic.

“It was great,” he said about being able to share this ceremony with the Hispanic community at Cathedral. “A lot of emotions were running through me. It was very special that the bishop came to celebrate this for me. It was a big privilege.”

This deacon candidate started the process four years ago. He said he will be ordained a deacon on June 9, 2012, “if it is in God’s will.”

“I look forward to helping the church, helping the priests and helping whoever needs help in my community to be better Catholics,” said Fernandez. “I am here to serve the Lord. That is the purpose of everyone.”

His wife, Santa, said she was “very proud and happy. I always support him. It is a privilege to serve God. We try to serve him with all our heart, soul and body.”