Family and friends were socially distant throughout the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Richmond, on Saturday, May 22, to celebrate the Mass during which Bishop Barry C. Knestout ordained Dillon Bruce a transitional deacon for the Diocese of Richmond.
During his homily, Bishop Knestout explained the three ministries entrusted to the deacon — Word of God, charity and at the altar and with service.
Referring to the first reading, the bishop continued, “Jeremiah reminds us that it is a ministry that requires total trust in God, that it is his grace, not our abilities or skills that make the word effective or fruitful. Our call is to trust totally in the Lord and his plan, whether our words fall on receptive or on deaf ears.”
Highlighting the aspect of charity, Bishop Knestout reflected upon the second reading from the sixth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles that details the origins of the diaconate.
“Since (deacons) were to be entrusted with temporal as well as with spiritual treasures, they needed to be trusted, reputable men, filled with faith and the Holy Spirit. They were set aside and imbued with a share in the apostolic ministry by prayer and the laying on of hands, to serve the mission of the Church,” the bishop explained. “The result was good order in the assembly and growth in the community.”
Noting the emphasis on service in John 12:20-26, the Gospel proclaimed at the ordination Mass, Bishop Knestout said, “As with Christ, our master and model, we are called to daily embrace our crosses, the difficult burdens of life, put our own selfish desires or needs aside, and give all to the service of God and neighbor.”
Speaking directly to Deacon Bruce, the bishop instructed, “As a deacon, that is, as a minister of Jesus Christ, who came among his disciples as one who served, do the will of God from the heart: serve the people in love and joy as you would the Lord.”
He continued, “Never allow yourself to be turned away from the hope offered by the Gospel. Now you are not only a hearer of this Gospel, but also its minister.”
Deacon Bruce will serve at St. John, Waynesboro, this summer before returning to Rome in late August to complete his studies in sacred theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas. He is scheduled to be ordained a priest for the diocese in June 2022.