By Fr Carlos Cheung, SDB

Rome, Italy, 22 June 2019 -- Rome, Sacred Heart Basilica was witness to another traditional Salesian diaconate ordination (June 22) for members of the Blessed Ceferino Namuncurá formation house in Rome (UPS Viceprovince, Superior Fr Eugenio Riva, Rector Fr. Adam Homoncik). The ordination Mass celebrated by Salesian Bishop Enrico Dal Covolo (former Rector of Lateran University) was a wonderful expression of Catholic unity in diversity - 10 deacons from 9 different countries and 4 continents.

The ordaining bishop in his homily highlighted the wonderful environment: "This ordination is celebrated under the eyes of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the family spirit of many Salesians, Salesian family members, young people (parishes of the deacon's apostolate) and even some family members.' Bishop Dal Covolo also encouraged the new deacons to make Service their Life-Long Project, to become a slave or servant of Love. In this way they would take their identity as Deacon seriously, and that also means martyrdom. Each vocation or call is a Gift and Mystery."

Among the ten newly ordained deacons is Cl. PUN Mingh Chi Anthony of China province, who enjoyed not only the assistance of Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai (currently Apostolic Nuncio in Greece) and his provincial Fr. Joseph Ng, but also the presence of his parents and his sister. After the ordination, deacon Pun shared:

“I am happy that, through the imposition of the hands of Bishop Enrico dal Covolo and Archbishop Savio Hon and the prayer of ordination, I have received the grace and the ministry of the diaconate. It is a gift that God has given generously to me, and not to me, but to the Salesian Congregation and to the Church. And, it is a gift that I must share with others, especially the youth, through proclamation of the Word of God and in concrete services. I humbly ask for more prayers, that through the ministry of diaconate, I may serve him with joy and testify his loving presence among his people."

After the diaconate ordinations in Turin (Crocetta community) and in Jerusalem (Ratisbonne community), this is the last of the international formation houses in Europe. The deacons come from the following countries: Francisco August Samuel (Angola), Jesushasan Sebagnanam (Sri Lanka), Kassifa Comlan Adolphe (Benin), Mateo Paulino Hairol Javier (Dominican Republic), Mbogo Victor David Munyi (Kenya), Obundana Joseph Kunle (Nigerian missionary in Bangladesh), Pun Ming Chi Anthony (Hong Kong - China), Sanchez Silverio Antonio (Dominican Republic) and Spiacciariello Giuseppe (Italy).

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