“Digitus Dei hic est”
O n April 11, thirty-one acolytes of the Clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right Virgo Flos Carmeli were ordained deacons by the Most Rev. Fernando José Monteiro Guimarães, CSsR, Archbishop Emeritus of the Military Ordinariate of Brazil, during a solemn Eucharist celebrated at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Caieiras (Brazil).
“In his homily, Archbishop Guimarães recalled: “More than twenty years ago, on June 15, 2005, in the Basilica of Our Lady of Carmel, in São Paulo, the first Heralds of the Gospel priests were ordained, among them the late founder, Monsignor João Clá, of venerable memory. […] It was the beginning of an uninterrupted series of diaconal and priestly ordinations over the years, with which Divine Providence enriched the family of the Heralds of the Gospel, enabling a fervent and authentic new evangelization, not only in Brazil, but also in many countries throughout the world.”
Highlighting the providential nature of the ordination of these new ministers, he added: “Fidelity to what the Church proposes as the ideal for priestly formation, extreme care with the intellectual and theological formation of its seminarians, the solid spiritual life and intense apostolic zeal of the subsequent deacons and priests was, during the following years, the commitment of the Virgo Flos Carmeli Clerical Society, effectively offering to the Church successive groups of deacons and priests according to the Heart of Christ. Digitus Dei hic est” – the finger of God is here.”
Supplication to Heaven for the candidates – After the homily, the ordinands made their public commitment to assume celibacy and promised obedience to the Diocesan Bishop and to their religious superior. Then, as they prostrated themselves, the entire assembly sang the Litany of All Saints, supplicating help for them from Heaven.
“Send forth upon them the Holy Spirit” – Through the imposition of hands and the prayer of ordination, Archbishop Guimarães conferred the first degree of the Sacrament of Order upon the thirty-one men elected to the diaconate. In this prayer, the ordaining minister asks the Divine Paraclete to strengthen them with the seven gifts of His grace.
Vestiture, and presentation of the Book of the Holy Gospels – The new deacons were then clothed by their priest brothers with the stole over the right shoulder and the dalmatic, garb that represents the character of sacred ministers. Now in diaconal vestments, each one received the Book of the Holy Gospels from the hands of the ordaining Archbishop, a symbol of their duty to be courageous heralds of God’s Word.
Admitted to the order of the clergy to serve – The ordination rite ended with the sign of peace, given to the new deacons by the ordaining Archbishop and other deacons present at the ceremony. The Holy Mass continued with great solemnity, with the newly ordained proceeding directly to the service of the altar.
Configured to Christ
T he Holy Church rejoiced, on April 12, with the ordination of twenty-six priests of the Clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right Virgo Flos Carmeli, in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary, in Caieiras (Brazil).
The solemn Eucharist, concelebrated by ninety-two priests, was presided over by Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, Archbishop Emeritus of Aparecida, and was attended by several ecclesiastical and civil authorities, including: Dr. Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas, governor of the State of São Paulo; Dr. Ricardo Luís Reis Nunes, mayor of the city of São Paulo; Dr. Tirso de Sales Meirelles, president of the federal entities FAESP/SENAR; Deputy André do Prado, president of the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo; Deputies of said Legislative Assembly: Antonio Assunção de Olim; Deputy Gil Diniz; Deputy Lucas Bove; Deputy Thiago Auricchio; Dr. José Renato Nalini – representing the president of the São Paulo Court of Justice, Judge Francisco Eduardo Loureiro –, in addition to several other tribunal judges from the same court; Judge Paulo Adib Casseb, from the Court of Military Justice of the State of São Paulo; Dr. Ângela Gandra, municipal secretary of International Relations of São Paulo, representing Dr. Ives Gandra Martins.
Homily – Addressing the ordinands, Cardinal Damasceno highlighted: “Today, you will not simply receive a role in the Church, long and patiently awaited, but, by being configured to Christ the Priest, you will be inserted into the very mission of Christ. […] The priesthood is the love of the Heart of Jesus.”
Priests of Christ forever – Prostrate, the candidates implored heavenly aid during the Litany of All Saints. They then received the second degree of the Sacrament of Orders through both the imposition of hands by the Cardinal Archbishop – an act repeated by the priests present – and the ordination prayer.
Ordained for the Holy Sacrifice – The new priests were clothed with priestly vestments – the stole draped from the neck and the chasuble. They then presented their hands to be anointed with the sacred chrism. Finally, they received the paten holding bread and the chalice containing wine for the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
“Alter Christus” – Configured with Christ, the new priests will be able not only to administer the Sacraments, but also, following the example of the Divine Shepherd, to lead the sheep to a deep union with God. At the end, they received the congratulations of the authorities present.
Priestly Ministry at
the Service of the Church
In the heart of Structural City – Activities are intense at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, located in one of the neediest areas of Brazil’s Federal District. In addition to the celebrations and social programs offered at the parish headquarters, Fr. Lourenço Ferronato, EP, also dedicates himself to visiting the sick, blessing homes and to the spiritual assistance of the Santa Clara Christian Association – of which he is president – dedicated to supporting children and families in vulnerable situations.
Consolation and hope for those who suffer – Special attention is given by Herald priests to those who are most united to Jesus through their suffering. In the above photos, Anointing of the Sick and distribution of Communion to the sick in Matola, Mozambique; administration of the same Sacrament in a hospital in São Paulo; blessing the sick in Tutupali, Ecuador, and in Brazil: at a hospital in Cotia; assistance to the elderly at the Angel’s Nursing Home in São Paulo; and funeral rites at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel, in Mairiporã.
Administration of the Sacraments – Ease of access to the Sacraments is something that distinguishes Our Lady of Grace Parish entrusted to the Heralds of the Gospel, making its various communities a reference point in the Serra da Cantareira region. Above, First Communion for adults and children at the mother Parish, St. Jude Thaddeus; celebration of Matrimony at the same church; Confessions at St. Agnes Chapel; and Baptism at the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Holy Family Chapel.
Close to the faithful – As a caring Mother, the Holy Church is close to all the faithful through her ministers. Above, blessing of a home in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza, and in Mairiporã, Brazil: greeting parishioners after Holy Mass at the chapels of St. Agnes and Our Lady of Lourdes.
