Rite of Candidacy marks first step toward Ordination for diaconate class

The parish community of St. Philip and St. James, Phillipsburg, one of the oldest parishes in the Diocese, welcomed Bishop James F. Checchio Sept. 14 as principal celebrant for their 4:30 p.m. vigil Mass, which was also the occasion for the thirteen men of the Diaconate Ordination Class of 2027 to receive the Rite of Candidacy. 

This step is the first public expression the men make as they continue their five-year journey towards Ordination.

Among the concelebrants at the Mass were Father Anthony Arockiadoss, pastor of St. Philip and St. James, and a number of the pastors and parochial vicars from the home parishes of the candidates. Their presence was a visible sign of their support for the men. Deacons from across the Diocese were also in attendance to celebrate with and welcome the thirteen men into their new role in the Church.

The Gospel for that Sunday was the familiar passage from St. Mark where Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah!” In his homily Bishop Checchio reminded the congregation that Peter’s reply must be our reply as believers because, “St. Peter represents all of us.” 

Bishop Checchio stated that just as we share faith with Peter we also share with him the danger of complacency. “It is very easy for us to become complacent. It is easier to justify our weaknesses most times than to deal with them.” That is why the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and the Sacrifice of the Mass are the Lord’s great gifts to help us deal with our weaknesses.

After the homily Deacon Stephen Kern, diocesan director, Office of the Diaconate, called each man by name to come forward. As the men knelt in front of Bishop Checchio he asked them. “Do you resolve to complete your preparation … to undertake ministry in the Church through Holy Orders?” And, “Do you resolve to form your mind and heart in such a way to serve Christ the Lord and his Body the Church?” After each man replied, “I do” to both questions, Bishop Checchio added, “The Church accepts your resolve with joy. May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.”

The look of joy on the faces of the men as they were received as candidates by their Bishop was evident to all present. Candidate Miguel Colon from Our Lady of Peace, North Brunswick, expressed his feelings after the Mass. “ It was a beautiful celebration and the presence of our wives and family along with the priests and deacons strengthened our response to the Lord’s call.”

Jennifer Anselmo, wife of candidate Robert Anselmo, of St. Philip and St. James Parish, was very moved by the ceremony and “the fact that Robert was received into candidacy in our own parish made it very special.”

Reflecting on the unique role she and all the wives would play as wives of deacons if their husbands were ordained, “A number of the wives decided to get together over the summer to discuss what will our husbands’ ordination mean in our lives and how we can prepare for it. We have decided to continue our meetings as our husbands go through their preparations.”

Algin Lagdameo, wife of candidate Jose Lagdameo, from the Parish of St. Francis Cathedral reaffirmed both of those thoughts; the beauty and the meaning of the rite and also how important it will be for the wives to support each other. “I am very fortunate to be very friendly with a deacon and his wife so I have been able to talk with her to help understand what it means and how it might affect our lives.”

Before the final blessing Father Arockiadoss thanked Bishop Checchio for his presence that day and for letting the people of the parish be part of such a wonderful celebration. He then invited those present to a reception after Mass in Mercy Hall.

In his homily Bishop Checchio had thanked the candidates for agreeing to become like Christ, the Servant, and for generously responding to his call. At the end of the Mass he again expressed his gratitude to the men for their commitment and especially to the wives and families for supporting them in their continuing formation.