METUCHEN – It began with the presentation of the candidates. As Deacon Stephen F. Kern read their names, one-by-one the 15 men rose from their pews, stood next to their spouses and families, and stated clearly throughout the church, “Presente” – Present in Spanish – before moving to the altar.
With that, the candidates ended their several-years journey of preparation and education that culminated May 14 with Bishop James F. Checchio conferring the sacrament of holy orders during the Rite of Ordination of Deacons at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi.
It marked the first ordination of deacons since 2019, and the first since the start of the pandemic in 2020. Most importantly, perhaps, it was the first fully Spanish-speaking class of diaconate candidates to be ordained in the diocese.
Thirteen of the 15 newly ordained deacons came to the United States from Spanish-speaking nations, according to Deacon Kern, director, diocesan Office of the Diaconate.
So, each candidate’s response was as unique as their backgrounds. And, the Rite, which was held during the Mass, recalled the discipline it took for the men to take educational deep dives into studying the faith despite holding full-time jobs and having familial responsibilities.
In 2016, the most recent year statistics were available, Hispanic Catholics numbered 121,000 in the diocese, making that group the second largest after whites. At that time, the diocese had counted 17 Hispanic or Latino deacons. Hispanics account for about 50 percent of the approximately 78 million Catholics in the U.S., according to evangelization data from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, with 25 percent of all parishes serving Hispanics.
Deacon Edgar Chaves, who exercises his ministry at Our Lady of Mount Virgin Parish, Middlesex, and served as the class’ formation director, said more than two dozen diocesan parishes have organized Hispanic ministries. Against that backdrop, and after hearing from pastors throughout the diocese, Bishop Checchio realized soon after coming to Metuchen in 2016 that there was a growing need for Spanish-speaking clergy.
The bishop recited prayers and spoke at times in Spanish during the Mass and Rite – that also took place in English. He also expressed the sentiment “whatever it takes” several times, including in his homily, during which the men moved from their pews upon being presented to sit on chairs in front of the altar, near their spiritual leader.
“You’re saying to the Church that you are willing to give whatever it takes to serve Christ,” the bishop said, as he smiled at them. He also noted the men were participating in a sacred and historic ritual traceable to the first apostles of Jesus Christ.
The early apostles discerned the needs of the Church, “much the same in our day, the need of the growing Latino community in our diocese calls forth these men, with God’s grace, to meet this need.” He also urged the deacons to never cease being obedient to the call to serve. “Resolve each day to say, ‘Yes Lord, here I am. Send me.’”
After the homily, the candidates made their promises that include celibacy and service. Each candidate then kneeled before the bishop, placing his joined hands between the bishop’s hands.
Next, in one of the dramatic moments in the liturgy, the candidates laid prostrate on the altar floor, as the “Litany of the Saints” was sung. Then Bishop Checchio laid his hands on each man’s head and said the Prayer of Ordination, after which the deacons were vested with their stole and dalmatic. The spouses of the deacons presented the vestments, and various clergy helped in vesting the new deacons.
Each deacon then received a Book of the Gospels, hearing the bishop pray to them individually: “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Lastly, the bishop offered the new deacons a fraternal kiss of peace, which was followed by clergy from the diocese repeating the embrace.
Deacons help their parish priests by proclaiming the Gospel and preaching. They also perform baptisms, assist at funerals and marriages, leading the faithful in prayer and more. They are also considered “ministers of Charity,” and carriers of fruits of the Holy Spirit that include love, peace, joy and generosity.
“May the Holy Spirit … continue to inspire you to service, enrich your liturgical ministry, and deepen your life of faith, and help you in your mission to do whatever it takes to build up the Body of Christ here in the Church of Metuchen,” the bishop said.
Before the recessional, Bishop Checchio thanked many who participated in the liturgy, including clergy, the diocesan choir and musicians. He also acknowledged directors at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary, South Orange, for providing the deacons’ education.
“We asked them five or six years ago to start a program in Spanish,” the bishop said. “They hadn’t done one, so they put it together. We do whatever it takes.” He humorously expressed gratitude to the congregation for “patience with my lousy Spanish.”
After Mass, the bishop posed for photographs with the class, then went to the Cathedral entrance to greet the faithful and take more photos.
Standing outside not far from the bishop, Deacon Kern said he and Deacon Chaves felt like “proud parents” on the momentous occasion.
“I think the people from the diocese are going to benefit from the new ministers for decades to come,” said Deacon Kern, who serves at St. Magdalen de Pazzi Parish, Flemington. “They are a very spiritual group of men, very very spiritual, and I’m just so excited for what their ministry holds out for the diocese and the people they work with.”
Two parishes in Perth Amboy, Most Holy Name of Jesus and Our Lady of Fatima, provided a combined five new deacons, while St. Philip and St. James, Phillipsburg contributed two men to the diaconate.