Seven Men Ordained Permanent Deacons in San Francisco
By Catholic San Francisco
On May 17 at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone ordained seven men to the permanent diaconate after five years of formation in prayer, theology, and pastoral service: Marc Aquino, Brother Xristopher Compagno, Obl.OSB.Cam, Earl Michael David Gabriel, Mark Kroncke, Daniel Roddick, Marvin Sanchez and Michael B. Smith.
“The deacon is a servant,” said Archbishop Cordileone in his homily. “He is ordained to be the very image of Christ as the one who came not to be served but to serve. The deacon must model for all of the Christian people this call to serve God as stewards, using the gifts God has entrusted to us for His purposes and the spreading of His love.”
The new deacons come from all walks of life—engineering, law, education, military service, and religious life—but they now share a common vocation. As permanent deacons, they will preach the Gospel, assist at the altar, witness marriages, baptize, preside at funerals, and serve the needs of the poor and vulnerable in their communities.
Family, friends and parishioners from across the Archdiocese of San Francisco gathered to celebrate the moment.
“I wish…to take this opportunity to thank all you who have accompanied our brothers to this day of their ordination: wives and family members and friends, professors and formatters, pastors, fellow parishioners, and so many others,” said Archbishop Cordileone. “You have helped equip them with the qualities and virtues necessary to carry out their diaconal ministry according to the mind of the Church, as we hear so aptly described in the first letter of St. Peter and as we see reflected in the promises to which our brothers will now commit themselves: all for the glory of God and the sanctification of God’s people.”
Following the Mass, a reception was held in the Cathedral events center where family and friends greeted the new deacons and received blessings from them.
To learn more about the newly ordained deacons and their formation journey, visit sfarch.org. To watch a recording of the ordination Mass, visit YouTube – Archdiocese of San Francisco.
