Nearly there: almost a deacon

Monday, March 16, 2009

*Father Luis A. Rivero - Archdiocese of Miami

BLOGGER PROFILE

Can you recall the last time you were on a road trip? If you were traveling on the highway more likely than not you relied on the road signs to guide you. These signs not only indicated your location, they also provided you with a reference as to the distance to be traveled before arriving at your destination. If your party included children, the enthusiasm may have been elevated to the point that the infamous question “are we there yet?” perhaps rang throughout the duration of the trip.

The image of the road trip comes to mind as I look back on the past nine years of priestly formation and the years prior, when I was unknowingly planning for the trip. Looking back through the lens of memory, many beautiful moments come to mind. Moments in which a great amount of enthusiasm and excitement caused me to ask “are we there yet?” And moments in which I was pulled over by the police and given a warning or correction so that I would not hurt myself or others on the road. I also experienced mechanical issues and flat tires. Nonetheless, the trying times were often overshadowed by moments of rest, refreshment and refueling, all of which can be found in the rest areas of prayer, family, friends, vacation time, retreats, etc., as well as times of detour. In all these moments there is a great beauty in the fact that it all happened for a reason. Indubitably, so that I might arrive at the point where I am today with everything I need to continue the journey.

Now I can see in the distance that sign which I have been expecting after my long journey. It indicates I am near, but not there yet. It is a sign that the Church has placed on the road through those in charge of my formation, who also serve as my GPS if you will, indicating with a gentle guiding voice that I am traveling in the right direction. This sign is my upcoming ordination to the transitional diaconate.

This step is of great importance for those of us who are called to the ordained priesthood. It is important because we come before the ordaining bishop (God willing mine will be Auxiliary Bishop Felipe Estevez) and promise obedience to our ordinary (Archbishop John C. Favalora) and to his successors. We also make a promise of chaste celibacy. Furthermore, we promise to pray the official prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, and assist at Mass, baptize, witness marriages, bring viaticum to the ill, and assist the archbishop in works of charity.

These promises are all made during the Rite of Ordination which in itself is a beautiful ceremony. In these nine years I have attended a variety of ordinations and I can tell you the Archdiocese of Miami truly celebrates this liturgy with great solemnity. I have yet to witness a celebration similar to how we celebrate it in the Archdiocese; for this we should be very proud.

Perhaps the most moving part for me has always been when the candidate kneels before the bishop and is handed the Book of the Gospels. The bishop then states: “Receive the Book of the Gospels whose herald you now are. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach.” These words have always moved me because from this very moment one formally assumes the obligation to preach the love of God in both word and act. This is a great task, particularly keeping in mind what St. Paul writes: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.” (I Cor. 9:16)

Can you imagine the responsibility that will be entrusted to me? Can you imagine the responsibility that is entrusted to all who have been ordained a deacon or a priest? It is quite a responsibility but one that is shared with those who have handed down this responsibility and those who are co-workers in this mission, that is all the people of God. I could not imagine carrying out this office without your constant prayers and support. I could not imagine recognizing the call, or vocation, without those who have been standing on the side of the road holding up the signs that have pointed me and continue to point me in the right direction.

My road trip is still not over, there are many more miles to travel; one more year of seminary studies before, God-willing, priestly ordination, and following that there will be many more road trips that ought to be taken. So come April 25 those words of St. Paul will be engraved, to a greater degree, in my heart and I can join St. Paul in stating: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” in word and act. Pray for me!

To find out more about Luis Rivero and his journey to the priesthood click here

Luis Rivero
Seminarian, St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach