Canonical retreat for deacons prepares class of 2024 for Ordination

Fifteen men who initially met as strangers in August 2020 gathered together April 15, 2024, as brothers preparing to be ordained permanent deacons on May 3.  They were beginning the five-day retreat required by Canon Law as a final step before Ordination.

The retreat was held at the St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, Pa., and consisted of days filled with Mass, prayer, both personal and communal, along with a variety of liturgical celebrations each day. Also included were quiet times for reflection and social events.

Monday was a time for the men to move from their busy everyday activities of family, work and other outside activities and enter a time of quiet and calm.  The grounds of St. Francis provided opportunities for the men to reflect on the upcoming week and the impact of the sacrament they were scheduled to receive after five years of preparation and studies.

To allow a deeper immersion in a very special week, Tuesday was a day of silence structured around the monastic practice of gathering together to sanctify the day by praying and reflecting. Pausing all other activities, seven times they celebrated the Liturgy of the Hours; upon awakening, mid-morning, midday, mid-afternoon, evening and nighttime.  The day ended with the 15 men keeping vigil in turns throughout the night in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Michael Fragoso, pastor of Visitation Parish, New Brunswick, was the speaker on Wednesday. Once ordained these men who are all married will have cares, concerns and demands on their time not shared by celibate priests.  Father Fragoso is uniquely qualified to address these issues and challenges.  Prior to being ordained he was a pediatrician and happily married for 32 years.  After his wife, Carmen, died he discerned a call to the priesthood and in 2013 was ordained.

In his presentations, Father Fragoso quoted Pope John Paul II who, “Spoke of the vocation of the human person to love; either in marriage or the celibate priesthood.”  He reminded the men that while the Roman Catholic priesthood calls men to the celibate life, all Catholics are called to live the virtue of chastity.

These men will be required to pray Morning and Evening Prayers everyday after their Ordination.  Father Fragoso celebrated Evening Prayer that afternoon within the context of the Mass.  This combination of the two great prayers of the Church, the sacrifice of the Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours, while not a common practice,  provided a deeper insight into the prayer life of the Church.

As the men begin to exercise their new ministry they will be working very closely with their pastors and other priests in the parishes to which Bishop James F. Checchio will assign them. In addition they will have relationships with the parish staff, parishioners and others to whom they will minister. Although all the members of the group have been dealing with many of these same relationships for years, these can take on different aspects once ordained.

On Thursday Father Edmond Luciano, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, South Plainfield, spoke about various dimensions of these relationships, especially between priests and deacons, once ordained.  Father Luciano also offered Mass for the men and was available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation that afternoon.

Over their years of formation the men had weekly opportunities to lead Evening Prayer and many were introduced to liturgical roles since becoming acolytes last September. The retreat provided other opportunities for the men to exercise some of the liturgical roles they will be fulfilling in the future.

Paul Cain, a candidate from Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Bernardsville, in a reflection at Morning Prayer said, “I am more convinced that this diaconal ministry is truly where the Lord wants me to be.”

On Friday morning the final presenter of the week was Rev. Mr. Steven Bolton of the Raritan Oratory. He gave his perspective of the diaconate based on his year as a transitional deacon in preparation for priesthood.

As the men returned to their homes and families they were asked to complete an evaluation for the retreat house.  One of the comments summed up the week, “These five days allowed me time to focus on and prepare for the gift of Ordination.”

Deacon Patrick Cline served as associate director of Formation for the Ordination Class of 2024 and serves in St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish, Bridgewater.