Six deacon candidates prostrate themselves at their ordination Mass Jan. 20 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa. (HCH photo | Jennifer Rector)
By Jennifer Rector
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Eight Hawaii men stepped forward last month pledging to serve the church in a new way, as permanent deacons for the Diocese of Honolulu.
Their ordinations by Bishop Larry Silva — six on Jan. 20 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa and two at St. Joseph Church in Makawao, Maui, on Jan. 27 — were the culmination of a five-year formation process.
For Deacon Michael Browning, ordained on Jan. 20, the day could not come fast enough.
He woke up early that morning feeling anxious. But after praying, things changed.
“I felt a calm come over me and I was ready to forge ahead. I felt the Holy Spirit walking by my side all weekend long,” said Deacon Browning.
The others ordained at the co-cathedral were David Bruce, Darryl Salvador, Derek Wong, Marlowe Sabater and John Thomas.
Ordained on Maui were Jason Jacinto and John Metz.
Called by name
The men entered the co-cathedral in procession with their wives followed by clergy and Bishop Silva.
In his homily, the bishop beseeched the deacon candidates to become the servant Jesus modeled.
After the homily each candidate was called by name. One-by-one they responded “present” in a loud voice.
Then as they lay prostrate on the floor before the altar, the congregation knelt and prayed the litany of saints asking for the intercession of the saints over the candidates.
This moment was unforgettable for Deacon David Bruce.
“I had a vision where I could clearly see my mother and father standing right in front of me, just smiling. I began to cry because I felt the Holy Spirit through their smiling love,” said Bruce.
The men then individually knelt in front of Bishop Silva to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders through the silent laying on of hands.
Bishop Larry Silva ordains Marlowe Sabater with the laying on of hands. (HCH photo | Jennifer Rector)
The bishop then prayed, “Send forth upon them, Lord, we pray, the Holy Spirit, that they may be strengthened by the gift of your sevenfold grace for the faithful carrying out of the work of the ministry.”
For Hazel Bruce, watching her husband on the altar giving his life to God was like falling in love all over again.
“I felt like I was marrying him again, only in a different kind of commitment,” said Bruce. “For 42 years, we have journeyed together, taking many paths. Our most recent path was our diaconate formation. As we stood together before God’s people, I knew we were exactly where we should be.”
The candidates’ wives were all dressed in bridal white. They all had accompanied their husbands in every step of their five-year formation and now rejoiced, some with tears in their eyes.
“I’m reminded that my first vocation is to married life, thus my wife Aggie and our children,” said Deacon Browning. “While there is a lot of time that is dedicated to the church, I believe that the calling is to the diaconate at this phase of our lives.”
The new deacons then embraced their wives and were vested in their dalmatics, the T-shaped diaconal vestments, and their stoles worn diagonally across their chest.
The Mass proceeded with new deacons assisting Bishop Silva at the altar.
At Communion, they took their places throughout the church to distribute the Body of Christ to family and friends, joy across their faces.
Newly ordained deacons Jason Jacinto, left, and John Metz prepare the altar at St. Joseph Church, Makawao, Jan. 27, at their ordination Mass. (Courtesy photo by Dann Ebina)
Deacon Browning was grateful for the support of others.
“The outpouring of love and support received from my family, friends, and the parish community is nothing less than extraordinary,” he said. “Seeing their faces in the pews praying, celebrating, crying, smiling, clapping, and cheering us on as we recessed out of the church touched my heart profoundly and will remain with me.”
Special acknowledgment was given after Mass to beloved Deacon Stephen Kula who died unexpectedly on Jan. 1. He had been on the formation team that trained this class of deacons and knew each one well.
Parishes assignments
Each deacon has been assigned to a parish.
Deacon Browning will go to St. John Apostle and Evangelist in Mililani. Deacon Bruce and Deacon Thomas are assigned to St. Joseph Church in Waipahu. Deacon Marlowe and Deacon Salvador will work at Resurrection of the Lord in Waipio. Deacon Wong will go to St. Jude in Kapolei.
Deacon Jacinto and Metz are assigned to St. Joseph in Makawao.
