Saint Patrick's College, Maynooth, Ireland – Sunday 28 May 2017 celebrating the feast of the Ascension

By Fr. Dominic Binh Nguyen, SDB

Tuam, Ireland, 28 May 2017 -- The last Sunday of May was such a blessed and joyful day for the Irish-Maltese Salesian Province as two Vietnamese brothers, Dominic Binh Nguyen and Paul Binh Tran were ordained deacons together with three Irish diocesan seminarians, Kevin Connolly, Anthony McAleese and Gerard Quirke. The ordinations in Saint Patrick's were at the hands of the Most Reverend Michael Neary, Archbishop of Tuam.

There are some fifty concelebrating priests at the ceremony, among whom were Fr Guillermo Basanes SDB, the Councillor for the Missions, Fr Provincial Michael Casey SDB and several Salesian priests. The congregation included the College's seminarians, religious of various congregations, the candidates' parents, families, friends, together with Salesian brothers and clerics.

In his homily, the Archbishop Neary told the congregation, especially the deacons-elect, that the Church was in great need of witness, of revelation and of hope. "You are called to be Jesus' disciples to go out to the whole world, to make disciples and to baptise the people." He reminded the deacons-elect that "in this atmosphere of solemnity, excitement, enthusiasm and joy, you are invited to look forward in hope, while the same time acknowledging there will be weeping in times of confusion, of doubt and of challenge in your ministry, especially in your responsibility, in your teaching. You must teach, baptise, make disciples of the people in the power of the Risen Lord. The more we turn your back on arrogance, the more we are wrapped in the divine and in people through prayer and caring, then the more fruitful our ministry will be, and the more authentic our witness and teaching will be to those whom we have been called to serve."

Archbishop Neary concluded in saying "the Teacher, the Lord is here. He is calling you, Kevin, Anthony, Gerard, Dominic, and Paul. This is the gift from the Lord. There is a deep sense of peace and joy around your vocation. This is an important step into His service."

At the end of the Mass, the vice-president of the seminary, Fr Michael Mullaney offered some words of thanks to Archbishop Michael Neary, the concelebrating priests, the newly ordained deacons, their families and friends, and to the choir. Afterwards, there was a celebratory and fraternal meal in the Salesian community.

Project Europe is going on, step by step in different ways the Salesian Charism in Europe is being renewed, also with help of some few missionaries from other non-European provinces. We pray for the Salesian consecrated vocations in Europe and for all present and future missionaries for this important Project of the whole Congregation.

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