Three men were ordained to the diaconate for the Diocese on Saturday 15th June by Bishop John Wilson, in one of his last functions as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster. Excel Soriano, David Knight and Adam Dora (pictured left to right) will now serve and teach the people of God while they continue their formation for the priesthood in Allen Hall Seminary.
In his homily, Bishop John urged the candidates to be awake, dressed and ready for action, drawing on the Gospel reading the men had chosen for the occasion (Luke 12:35-44):
See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.
Elaborating on this theme, Bishop John instructed the candidates that faith is the beacon that will guide their ministry, that it must 'shine through everything you are, everything you say, and everything you do.' Through promises of celibacy and obedience, these men may be ever more ready to serve God and his people, through their teaching and devotion; loving 'without limitation.'
Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you now are.
Believe what you read, teach what you believe,
and practice what you teach.
Please pray for Adam, David and Axcel as they undertake their new ministry and continue their formation for the priesthood, and for Bishop Wilson as he prepares for his new role as Archbishop of Southwark.
To view more pictures of the occasion click here.
