ROME — On October 2, 43 men were ordained as deacons at the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) were ordained by Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington, D.C.
The solemn liturgy unfolded at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica. Even granted the impressive dimensions of the space — the largest church in the world — the chapel’s sanctuary was packed to capacity with the ordinandi, concelebrating bishops, and hundreds of priests and deacons, including the 12 members of the PNAC Class of 2015 who were ordained in their home dioceses.
Two seminarians from the Diocese of Madison — Scott Emerson and Gabriel López-Betanzos — were among those ordained to the transitional diaconate. Among the 23 bishops nd archbishops concelebrating was Bishop Robert C. Morlino of Madison.
The apse itself was likewise full to capacity with friends and family of the new deacons who made the pilgrimage to the Eternal City to see their brothers, sons, and friends begin their ordained ministry.
Ordination rite
During the ordination rite, each candidate was called by name. The men responded, “Present,” expressing in concrete terms their answer to the Church’s call to the diaconate.
After the presentation of the class by the PNAC Rector, Msgr. James Checchio, Cardinal Wuerl solemnly declared the class to have been “elected” for the office of deacon, a rite reminiscent of how the early Christian community chose the first seven deacons (Acts 6).
After the homily, the candidates made their promises of celibacy, prayer, and obedience, dedicating themselves to lives of self-sacrificial service to the People of God.
The 43 men then prostrated themselves on the marble floor, just yards away from the bones of St. Peter which rest under the high altar of the basilica.
With this gesture of humility, the ordinandi begged the intercession of all the Communion of Saints for the ordination which was about to come. As the chanted litany swelled through the building, the congregation was united in prayer.
Following the prostration was the ordination itself. Each man approached Cardinal Wuerl, knelt before him, and received ordination by the laying on of his hands.
As each man stood up, he returned to his place a deacon. Later, each one of the new deacons ceremonially received a Book of the Gospels from the cardinal with this injunction: “Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”
Joyful celebration
After the Mass, the newly ordained returned to the college with their friends and family for a reception. The joyful celebration continued late into afternoon.
Throughout the weekend, festivities continued privately as deacons organized Masses of Thanksgiving around the city, assisting at the altar and preaching liturgical homilies for the first time.
The Madison deacons assisted at the altar as Bishop Morlino celebrated a Mass at the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome.
Diocesan group present
A large contingent of people from the Diocese of Madison traveled to Rome for the ordination. Abbot Marcel Rooney, O.S.B., served as spiritual director and chaplain for a pilgrimage organized by Mater Dei Tours and Deacon Emerson’s parents, Diane and Steve Emerson of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Spring Green.
• Among those in the group was Fr. Mike Resop, pastor of the parish in Spring Green and St. Luke Parish in Plain. It has been 35 years since a priest-son was ordained from either parish.
Father Resop commented, “Being a part of the diaconate ordination at St. Peter’s Basilica — surrounded by its history and its beauty — was one of the top 10 spiritual highlights of my priesthood so far, as well as being able to share that experience with my brother priests and the people from the Madison Diocese who were there. It was an outstanding experience for me.”
• Diane and Steve Emerson also offered reflections on the experience, “When we were in our seats at St Peter’s Basilica waiting for the ordination Mass to start, our thoughts were, ‘It is really here, after all these years!’ It was a very emotional time waiting for Mass to start, and also when Scott and Gabby were in the processional.”
“These were very happy, emotional, proud moments for us as parents, knowing that our son chosen by God was today taking vows to become a deacon and — God willing — a future priest.
“It took 15 minutes for the processional as there were over 390 religious men dressed in white. What a wonderful sight in itself!
“We were so happy to be able to take our sons and our daughter-in-laws to Rome with us, so that our whole family could experience this with Scott. Their pride in their brother shown through in their many smiles.
“Scott never stopped smiling the whole time our group was in Rome. We are so thrilled he will be home with us for Christmas,” said the Emersons.
• Tim Emerson, Deacon Emerson’s younger brother, commented, “It is one thing to support Scott from afar, offering words of encouragement; it’s a whole different level to be there for him and witness him as he proceeds on the journey toward his ultimate goal of priesthood. All of this culminated in a truly heartwarming and unforgettable ordination ceremony and first Mass for Scott.”
Other comments from the diocesan group include:
• “Seeing Scott standing up front and his three brothers standing together a few rows back was a very special sight. It brought tears to their eyes. This is really a big deal, a special day for the Emerson family. It is nice they were all able to be here.”
• “We have pictures, but how do you ever explain to family and friends the feeling you get just being there in these gorgeous basilicas, among popes and saints, and the history of the church! Awesome.”
• “Seeing very happy, young seminarians all over the city in their clerics was very impressive. The future of the Catholic Church is in good hands!”