Messengers on a mission

Diaconate candidates entrusted as lectors, permanent deacons renew their promises

By Bill Brewer

The Diocese of Knoxville has the distinction of ranking third in the United States, and possibly the world, in the number of ordained men serving as permanent deacons.

“We are per Catholic capita No. 3 in the United States, which, I believe, makes us No. 3 in the world for the number of ordained serving deacons,” said Deacon Jim Bello, who serves as the Diocese of Knoxville’s director of the diaconate and deacon formation.

It’s a significant record that Bishop Mark Beckman had a hand in continuing on Oct. 2 when he presided at the Rite of Institution of Lectors, an important advancement in a deacon candidate’s formation.

“The diaconate here has been taken very seriously since its reinstitution. We’ve always had bishops who really supported the men who feel the call to this vocation in their lives. It’s a lot of hard work, but I think these men will all say the same thing. It is such a privilege to be able to do it. They talk about it very highly, and they encourage people who may have a call to seek formation,” Deacon Bello said.

Candidates for the permanent diaconate in the Diocese of Knoxville took a key step in their formation when they were entrusted with the ministry of lector during the Mass for the diaconate.

Bishop Beckman celebrated the Mass at the Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus during which many of the diocese’s permanent deacons renewed their ordination promises. Many of the deacons in attendance were accompanied by their wives.

Thirteen men are in the newest class of aspiring deacons and are in their fourth year of study. Deacon Bello said the candidates are scheduled to be ordained in June 2027.

The diocese has 88 active deacons serving throughout East Tennessee. Eight deacons in the diocese are retired and are inactive.

Bishop Beckman found the day’s first reading to be especially poignant for the men serving the Church through the diaconate.

In his homily, the bishop quoted from Exodus 23: “Behold, I send my angel before you. Listen attentively to him.”

He reminded the deacons and deacon candidates that the word “angel” means “messenger,” a ministry that is so important as the deacons continue to serve the faithful and the candidates progress toward ordination.

“One who brings the message from the Lord,” the bishop emphasized.

The bishop highlighted the reading to underscore how critical it is to deliver God’s message to the faithful.

“And our guardian angels surround us always. Listen attentively to the Word of God, which is why we are called to listen attentively to them,” the bishop advised.

He said it was providential that the reading from Exodus would be shared on the day the candidates become lectors.

“I find for us who proclaim the Gospel, including all of our deacons who preach the Word of God, that the Word of God is meant to shape our hearts and our lives. The only way that I believe we can become effective preachers of the Word is if we let that Word first speak to us. What is the Lord saying to me in the Gospel?” the bishop asked.

He encouraged the deacons and deacon candidates to ponder that mystery and let the Word speak first to their hearts.

“Learn to listen to that Word, and being still with the Lord is so important. I begin every day alone with God, first listening to God’s Word, and then being still with that Word in silence. I allow God, and the Word of God, to shape my heart for the day,” Bishop Beckman said.

“And I believe there is nothing more important that we can attend to as the day begins,” he added.

Bishop Beckman could relate to the deacons and candidates as they are greeted first thing every morning with news messages on their cellphones, but the bishop has discovered that being inundated with news first thing in the morning may not be conducive to hearing God’s message for the day.

“That does not shape our hearts well. It’s only after we’ve soaked in God’s Word that we have an ear and a heart ready to see the world with a new set of eyes,” he said.

“So, this evening, I ask the holy angels of God to surround us always and to lead us to an attentiveness for the Word of God that will help to shape the rest of our lives. That is what we humbly ask the Lord tonight,” Bishop Beckman noted. “We, the servants of His Word, send as messengers of that Word to God’s people.”

Deacon Bello then called the candidates forward, where Bishop Beckman administered the Rite of Institution of Lectors. Taking part were Mark Calvert, Antonio Da Silva, Mark Dye, Brendan Foley, John Gensheimer, Rigoberto Gonzales, Paul Heuton, Hugo Linares, Jim MacDougall, Conor Martin, David Morais, Pedro Palacios, and David Quinn.

“Brothers and sisters, let us ask God our Father to bless these servants who have been chosen for the ministry of lector. Let us pray that they may be faithful to the work entrusted to them, proclaim Christ to the world, and so give glory to our Father in heaven,” Bishop Beckman said.

“Lord God, source of all goodness and light, you sent your only Son, the Word of Life, to reveal to mankind the mystery of your love. Bless our brothers who have been chosen for the ministry of lector. Grant that as they meditate constantly on your Word, they may grow in its wisdom and faithfully proclaim it to your people. Through Christ our Lord. Amen,” he then prayed.

The bishop held the Book of the Gospels and instructed each candidate, one by one, to “Take this book of holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.”

Each candidate, with his hands on the book, then responded, “Amen.”

Bishop Beckman then turned his attention to the permanent deacons and led them in the renewal of their ordination promises.

As the deacons stood, the bishop asked them:

• “Do you resolve to remain consecrated for the ministry of the Church you received through the laying on of hands and the gift of the Holy Spirit?”
• “Do you resolve to continue to discharge with humble charity the office of the diaconate, so as to assist the priestly order and to benefit the Christian people?”
• “Do you resolve to continue to hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience, as the Apostle says, and to proclaim the faith by word and deed according to the Gospel and the Church’s tradition?”
• “Do you resolve to continue to guard and increase the spirit of prayer proper to your way of life, and, in keeping with this spirit and the circumstances of your life, to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours, with and for the people of God and indeed for the whole world?”
• “Do you promise respect and obedience to me and my successors?”

Each deacon responded “I do” after each of these six questions.

And lastly, the bishop asked, “Do you resolve to continue to conform your manner of life always to the example of Christ, whose Body and Blood you will handle at the altar?”

After this question, each deacon responded, “I do with the help of God.”

The bishop then concluded, praying, “Attend to our petitions, O Lord, and in Your kindness be pleased to bless these your sons, who desire to continue to devote themselves in sacred ministry to your service and to the service of your people, so that they may persevere in their vocation, and clinging to Christ the Priest with sincere charity, may be able to take up apostolic office worthily. Through Christ our Lord.”

Following the liturgy of the Eucharist, Bishop Beckman congratulated the diaconate candidates who have now received the ministry of lector. And he thanked the permanent deacons for their continued service and their wives who support them so selflessly.

Deacon Bello praised the candidates for answering the call to serve and he expressed gratitude to the Diocese of Knoxville’s deacons who serve throughout East Tennessee.

“It was so special to see our deacons renew their ordination promises and reaffirm that they are here to serve God’s people, to pray for God’s people, to carry out the Word of God in our diocese, coupled with this installation as lectors for these deacon candidates who now begin their fourth year of formation toward, God willing, ordination. This Mass is something that was started a couple of years ago by Archbishop (Shelton J.) Fabre, when he said let’s do these as combined rites and bring the deacons together with the candidates so the candidates can start to get to know those deacons who have already been in service as ordained men,” Deacon Bello said.

“It’s really been a beautiful thing to watch all of these men come together. We’ve had other joint events with the deacons and the candidates, but to do this in the setting of the Mass brought this full holiness to it as we celebrated the Eucharist together and heard Bishop Beckman’s beautiful words about being surrounded always by our angels. Certainly in the ordained diaconate, and as these men work their way toward ordination, it’s very important that we recognize the help of our angels because it is often very obviously necessary. I’m thankful for this night, and I’m thankful for all of these men. Its’ a privilege to walk alongside of them and to accompany them on his lifelong journey,” Deacon Bello added.

Deacon candidate Mark Calvert said he is delighted to be installed as a lector because he has enjoyed being a lay reader at Mass.

“We’ve been through a little over three and a half years, and we have a little less than two years to go. This is a humbling experience. I feel very honored to be in the program,” Mr. Calvert said. “Now I have that additional something for proclaiming the Word of God. I appreciate the opportunity to pursue this vocation.”

Dr. Humberto Collazo, who serves at St. Dominic Church in Kingsport, is in his third year as a permanent deacon.

He said joining the diaconate has been a faith-affirming experience for him and he is excited to see more men answering the call.

“It’s exciting seeing these new guys come on. I feel the company. I feel God is with me, so I won’t be alone,” Deacon Collazo said.

Deacon Collazo appreciated Bishop Beckman’s wise words about being God’s messengers, and he is grateful at being able to serve the Church in East Tennessee through the permanent diaconate.

“It has been an amazing blessing. Every year I learn more about what it really is to be a deacon. Every year you explore it further, and God opens up endless possibilities in the process,” he said.