Our People

Ordination to the Diaconate

Mr Christopher Brennan, SSP

By Most Rev. Julian Porteous
Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney
25/8/2006

At the Last Supper the Lord commented to his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you”.

Christopher, today as you present yourself to be ordained to the Order of Deacons in the Church, you must wonder at the extraordinary path that God has led you upon over the years. Baptised and brought up in the Anglican Church, studying dentistry and eventually lecturing in the area at university. Growing up in Brisbane. Today here in Flemington, you offer yourself for service within the Catholic Church, undertaking a special ministry of promoting the written word through the Society of St Paul. It has been a long and wondrous journey!

When lives take unexpected paths inspired by faith, one can often sense that the hand of God has been there patiently directing. Those words of the Lord capture a deep personal awareness: “You did not choose me, no I chose you”.

You do not present yourself today on the basis of a simple human decision alone. Of course you have made a decision and today express an unreserved commitment. But you know there is a deep mystery here. You know in your heart that God, for his own mysterious purposes, has called you and guided you. God has drawn you to himself. God has invited you to walk this particular path towards the priesthood. You sense this call as an act of love, and certainly not a demand, or an order imposed on you. God has made you an offer. You are being drawn – in love. As St Paul says, in his letter to the Ephesians, we have been called “for his own kind purposes”.

You have said yes, and you sense a deep peace. God’s will is not a burden, but something you embrace with joy. You know it is a path to a full and rich life, though not without its moments of trial or hardship. “The lot marked out for me is my delight”, the psalmist says in Ps 15.

In this ceremony prior to being ordained Christopher will make a personal commitment to celibacy. This is a deeply moving moment, for Christopher will give over his life into the hands of God and the Church. In a free and conscious decision he embraces a life dedicated to God in the Church. Christopher will also commit himself to say the Divine Office daily in the name of the Church.

He freely and willingly has laid down his life. He has sacrificed his normal human freedoms. He offers himself, his talents, his time, his energies to the service of Christ in the Church.

Christopher, you are to be ordained a deacon. The Second Vatican Council described the deacon as having a ministry “of the Liturgy, of the Gospel and of Charity” (Lumen gentium, n. 29).

The Church entrusts to you the ministry of the Word. You are the minister of the Gospel in the celebration of the Mass. You will be called upon to preach. Proclaim the word with clarity, boldness and zeal. It is the word of truth, of light and of life. Never be ashamed of the Gospel and never back away from its challenging truth. It will be your lifelong duty to “in season and out of season” to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Church entrusts to you the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. You may be called upon to celebrate Marriages and to conduct Funerals when there is no Mass. You become a minister of the transforming power of God brought into people’s lives through the sacraments. Celebrate each sacramental moment with profound reverence and prayer. The reading of the day from the Prophet Ezekiel speaks of the glory of the Lord dwelling in the temple. The Lord wishes to dwell in the midst of his people. You will be an instrument of the grace of God.

The Church asks you to have a special interest in works of charity, following the example of the first deacons and the ancient tradition of the Church. Develop in your heart a great compassion, kindness and patience. Give to those who are in need, not just practical supports, but be a witness to the love of Christ.

In all of this the Church encompasses your ministry as deacon with the notion of service. You follow the example of Christ himself who did not come to be served but to serve. Give your life in willing and generous service. It will become the great joy of your life as you see the fruit of your labours.

Christopher, we unite together in commending you to God: that what He has begun in you will be brought to rich fulfillment.