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| Andrew Showers is ordained a transitional deacon at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome by Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM. Cap. (Photo courtesy North American College) |
ROME — Andrew Showers, a seminarian from the Diocese of Madison, was one of 30 seminarians from the Pontifical North American College in Rome who were ordained to the transitional diaconate during a celebration of the Eucharist on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Cardinal Seán O’Malley, OFM. Cap., archbishop of Boston, was the ordaining prelate at the Ordination Mass, celebrated at the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter, in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter, in the Vatican.
Cardinal O’Malley, a member of the Order of Friars Minor, Capuchin, has been the Archbishop of Boston since 2003 and was named a cardinal in 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI and participated in the conclave which elected Pope Francis in 2013.
Liturgy and works of charity
In his homily, Cardinal O’Malley spoke to those about to be ordained, reminding them of the crucial connection to their service at the liturgy with their works of charity for the Church and all her people.
Reminding them that the recently canonized St. Teresa of Calcutta always had the words “I Thirst” written next to the tabernacle where the Sisters prayed, the cardinal noted that this longing for and reception of Jesus in the Eucharist was the preparation the Sisters needed to take care of the sick, suffering, and forgotten they would see throughout the day, who were in fact, “Jesus in disguise.”
He reminded them that their privileged work at the altar, was in fact as servants, and that in the Lord’s wisdom, Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet was intrinsically connected to the first Eucharist, and liturgy and joyful service are always bound together.
Prayer, celibacy, obedience
During the ordination, the new deacons promised to live a life of prayer, celibacy, and obedience to their diocesan bishop.
The new deacons will have an additional year of theological studies and spiritual formation before being ordained to the priesthood in their home dioceses.
As part of the ordination rite, the cardinal placed the Book of the Gospels in the hands of each candidate being ordained and said, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Deacon Showers is the son of Pam and Dave Showers of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Monona. A large contingent of family members and friends attended the ordination in Rome.