By Sarah Mac Donald - 29 May, 2016
Bishop William Crean of Cloyne will ordain nine men as deacons in Maynooth today.
The nine transitional deacons are Michael Byrne from Dublin, William Caulfield from Ferns, Aidan Gallagher from Tuam, Sean Jones from Kerry, Declan Lohan from Galway, Kilmacduagh & Kilfenora, John Magner from Cloyne, Barry Matthews from Armagh, Evin O’Brien from Cork & Ross and David Vard from Kildare & Leighlin.
John Magner is a student priest from Cloyne, Bishop Crean’s own diocese.
All nine are expected to be ordained to the priesthood next year.
Their ordination on the Feast of Corpus Christi (29 May 2016) coincides with the special Jubilee of Deacons taking place in Rome to mark the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy.
The word deacon comes from the Greek word for servant – diakonos.
Deacons are ordained to a ministry of service in the Church: they proclaim the Good News liturgically, they assist priests at the Altar, and they preach to the faithful on matters pertaining to authentic Christian living.
Deacons also bring the Blessed Sacrament to the sick in hospital and to the housebound: they visit prisoners, offering them both companionship and counsel; they baptise, receive the marriage vows of couples entering Holy Matrimony, and they pray for the dead.
In a recent interview with Intercom magazine, David Vard from the diocese of Kidare and Leighlin, who is being ordained today, explained how he came to Maynooth directly from school.
During the course of his studies, he has visited and helped in Peru on the Maynooth Mission Outreach program with the Missionaries of Charity, helping destitute men and sick children, an experience which left a lasting impression.
