The Radiant Servanthood: Ordination of Filipino Adorno Deacons in Rome

For the Greater Glory of the Risen Christ.  Two of our Filipino brothers Bro. Harvey Bermudez CRMand Bro Xyrill Umeres CRM, based in Rome were ordained to the Diaconate by no less than Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in the Parish of Sta Maria in Portico in Campitelli last October 16, 2023. Bro. Harvey came to Rome in 2020 and Bro Xyrill in 2022 to continue their theological studies.  This is the first time that the ordination was held in the parish where the Generalate is located.

The occasion was graced by different Filipino priest from various dioceses and religious congregations based in Rome.  Also present in the occasion were;  Fr Gerard Timoner III, OP,  Master Preacher of Order of Preachers, Fr. Junar Gonzales Enorme CRS, Vicar General of the Somascan Fathers, Fr Jojo Magadia, SJ, Regional Assistant for Asia Pacific of the Society of Jesus, and Ambassador Myla Grace Ragenia C. Macahilig, Philippine Ambassador to the Holy See.  Rev. Harvey’s parents and Rev Xyrill’s brother and aunt from the Philippines came to attend the ordination.

In his homily, He initially thanked the Lord for gathering the people of God for the gift of the diaconate as a gift to the whole church.  He spoke about the ministry of the Diaconate as there is no permanent deacon as of the moment in the Philippines.  “The order of the diaconate is one of the three orders of what we call Holy Orders.  This is the first of the three Holy Orders.  The deacons are not ordained to priesthood, they are ordained to service.  The deacons are ordained for the ministry of the bishop based on the old Syrian text.  It is only the Bishop who will impose and lay the hands to the deacons.  This also means that the deacons are closely tied to the ministry of the Bishop.”  The deacons has to serve in the liturgy, in the proclamation of the word and in some sacramental functions and specially in the service of charity.  Worship, catechesis to the social context.  Bringing the word of God to the brokenness of the world and at the same time the deacon brings to worship and the catechesis the cries of the world.  The deacons through the sacrament becomes a living sign, an effective sign of Jesus who came to the world not be served but to serve.  The living reminder of Jesus as servant, that aspect of the mystery of Christ as service.  He mentioned he reminded the new deacons “to remind everyone of the spirit of servanthood.  Do not start acting or pretending to be … you know what, otherwise, you are doing a disservice to the mystery of Christ.  For it is the diaconate that must be a living reminder of the passion of the mystery of Christ”

He also reminded the two deacons that in the gospel, Jesus, calls us not as slaves but as friends.  He calls us not like slaves in the past that they should serve because they are bought or coerced which is even a sign of degradation of the person but Jesus want to serve as His friends and seeing everything as an act of service because they are a friend of Christ. When you feel that you feel like being a slave, look closely within and see if there is something happening in me, do I still feel and experience this intimate relationship with Jesus in me.  You should be a friend of Christ doing the ministry. A friend of Christ.

Father General also gave his message to the people after the communion.  He thanked the Cardinal for his presence despite his busy schedule.  He also acknowledged the presence of the people who attended and the various communities of the Order who came.

Dinner was served after the celebration of the Mass at the courtyard of the parish.