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| Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison ordains Christopher Padilla to the transitional diaconate through the Laying on of Hands at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona on Friday, June 5. (Catholic Herald photo/Kevin Wondrash) |
MONONA — Christopher Padilla was ordained by Bishop Robert C. Morlino as a transitional deacon on Friday, June 5, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Monona.
Bishop Morlino thanked everyone for coming to the “night of great joy.”
Deacon Padilla is a member of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest.
Bishop Morlino also thanked the members of the society for all their work in the diocese putting their “whole heart and some of their blood, sweat, and tears” into their ministry.
Called to serve
Following the Gospel, read by Transitional Deacon Chahm Gahng, Padilla rose as “present” for the Presentation and Election of the Candidate.
Bishop Morlino prayed over Padilla saying, “Relying on the help of the Lord God and our Savior Jesus Christ, we choose this man, our brother, for the Order of the Diaconate.”
Later in his homily, Bishop Morlino called Padilla, “My son . . . what a privilege it is to call you that.”
He reflected on aspects of the diaconate, including service and how one does not get to choose how one serves. “The true servant does not get to choose how he or she serves,” he said. “To be a servant is to be obedient to the master.”
He went on to say the “yes” of obedience Christ performed on the cross is similar to that of the “yes” of obedience for the diaconate.
“Obedience is the dutiful part of service — where I do my duty, where I fulfill my obligation,” also admitting “obedience can be tough.”
Ordained as a deacon
Following the homily, Padilla made the Promise of the Elect — declaring his resolve to conform his life to the example of Christ and respect and obey the bishop and his successor.
As he lay prostrate, a sign of dying and entering a new life, the Litany of Supplication was sung by all.
As Padilla knelt before the bishop, Bishop Morlino performed the Laying on of Hands and Prayer of Consecration.
Deacon Padilla was then vested by Fr. Pedro Escribano, member of the Society of Jesus Christ the Priest in the diocese.
Deacon Padilla then knelt before the bishop again to receive the Book of the Gospels.
The bishop, along with other deacons of the diocese, greeted him with a sign of peace, welcoming him to the order of deacons.
Deacon Padilla served as the Deacon of the Eucharist, distributing Holy Communion.
At a reception following Mass, Deacon Padilla met with those in attendance and handed out prayer cards commemorating his ordination.
Deacon Padilla is set to be ordained to the priesthood on Friday, June 26, at 7:30 p.m, at St. Maria Goretti Church in Madison, along with five seminarians from the Diocese of Madison.