MADISON — Deacon Russell Yount was ordained a permanent deacon for the Diocese of Madison on July 12. 

The joyful Ordination Mass was celebrated at Holy Name Heights in Madison and celebrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison. 

Deacon Yount already serves the diocese by working in the chancery offices; many members of the diocesan staff came to the ordination, and two served as lectors for the liturgy. 

Many deacons and men in formation for the permanent diaconate, along with their wives, were present. 

Deacon Yount was also supported by family, most prominently his wife, Bonnie.

‘Voice and heart’

The rite of ordination began after the Gospel, as Yount was officially presented to the bishop for ordination, and the bishop accepted. 

Following this, the bishop delivered his homily, reflecting on the sacrificial nature of being a servant with and of Christ. 

As a deacon, Yount would be called to proclaim the Word of God. 

“God’s given you a great voice to do that,” said Bishop Hying. “He’s also given you a great heart.”

After the homily, the ordinand came forward and declared his promises: To discharge his office with humility, to proclaim the Church’s faith in word and deed, and to conform his life to the example of Christ. Lastly, he knelt to promise respect and obedience to the bishop and his successors. 

Then came the Litany of the Saints, when the soon-to-be deacon lay prostrate before the altar as the congregation sang, beseeching the prayers of the saints on him and his ministry.

After the litany came the most essential moment of an ordination: The laying on of hands. 

Bishop Hying placed his hands on the ordinand’s head, praying silently, and then said the prayer of ordination. 

Now-Deacon Yount went to be vested in the stole and dalmatic. 

The stole is worn by both priests and deacons; deacons wear it diagonally across the body. 

The dalmatic is the vestment specific to deacons. 

The vesting minister was Deacon Dave DiNuzzo, from the Diocese of Salina in Kansas.

After vesting, the new deacon knelt before the bishop, who placed the book of the Gospels in his hands and said the exhortation: “Believe what you read, teach what you believe, and practice what you teach.”

The newly ordained was then welcomed with a sign of peace by the bishop and the deacons present. 

After the rite of ordination, the deacon took his place near the altar as the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. 

He assisted with the offertory, distributed Communion, and proclaimed the final dismissal. 

Assisting ministers

Concelebrants included Fr. Scott Jablonski, vicar for clergy; Fr. Gabriel López-Betanzos, J.C.L., judicial vicar; Fr. William Felix, director of diaconal formation in the Diocese of La Crosse; Msgr. James Bartylla; Fr. Vince Brewer, pastor of Epiphany of the Lord Parish; Fr. Richard Heilman; and Fr. David Timmerman, as well as other priests of the diocese.

Deacons Roger Scholbrock and Todd Burud assisted at the liturgy, and men in formation for the permanent diaconate acted as servers. 

Knights and Dames of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem attended, as well as a Knights of Columbus honor guard.

Music was provided by the Diocese of Madison Schola, accompanied by Alex Hodgkinson, the new diocesan director of sacred music.

A reception was held afterward in the upper auditorium at Holy Name Heights. 

Deacon Yount will serve at Epiphany of the Lord Parish in the Sun Prairie area.