Congratulations to these six men from across the Diocese of Lansing who received the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders at Saint Thomas Aquinas Parish in East Lansing on August 15, as they make their way, Deo volente, toward ordination to the permanent diaconate. The six men pictured, from left to right, are:
Paul Karlovich, Saint Anthony of Padua, Hillsdale; Jerry Miller, Saint Joseph, Howell; Ken Mraz, Church of the Holy Family, Grand Blanc; Jason Muxlow, Holy Redeemer, Burton; John Peiffer, Saint John the Evangelist, Jackson; Jim Raymond, Saint Andrew, Saline.
They are flanked on the left by Deacon Pete Hansen, Associate Director of Diaconal Formation, and Deacon Gary Perrydore, Director of Diaconal Formation, while on their right are Deacon Devon Wolfe, Director of the Permanent Diaconate, and Bishop Earl Boyea.
So, what exactly is a permanent deacon, and what is the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders? Read on.
Since the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the Catholic Church has restored the diaconate as a permanent rank within the hierarchy of Holy Orders, as opposed to “transitory” deacons who will, in due course, be ordained to the priesthood. Permanent deacons can be either married or unmarried men.
Meanwhile, the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders is celebrated when a man has reached a maturity of purpose in his formation and has demonstrated the necessary qualifications for ordination. In the presence of the bishop, each man publicly expressed his intention to complete his preparation for Holy Orders and his resolve to fully invest himself to that end, in order to best serve Jesus Christ and His Holy Church.
Please do keep these six men in your prayers in the months and years to come by, among other things, invoking the three great patrons of permanent deacons:
Saint Stephen, pray for them.
Saint Lawrence, pray for them.
Saint Francis of Assisi, pray for them.