Rev. Mr. Tinh Dang, our "pastoral year seminarian", was ordained to the diaconate on Saturday, November 3rd, at St. Pius Church in Redwood City along with four other seminarians from other dioceses.
The following video is a slide show of his ordination ceremony prepared by the Vocation Office of the Diocese of San Jose.
[Before his ordination, Tinh wrote the following article explaining the role of deacon.]
Every one of us, through the seal of Baptism, is called to live out the two great commandments which are to love God and to love neighbors. This love is simply expressed in the ways of serving God and others. As we can see from the very beginning of the Church, the Twelve called together the community of the disciples to choose among them seven reputable men so that they could help the Twelve in the ministry. Their job was to devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts. 6:1-8). This is how the ministry of the Deacon began in the Church.
There are two types of Deacons in the Church: Permanent Deacon (usually a married man who is unable to remarry after ordination if his wife predeceases him) and Transitional Deacon (a celibate man who has been ordained a deacon and who intends to become a priest). In this article, I will clearly focus on talking about Transitional Deacons; particularly by responding to a set of questions: who are they? What do they do? And where do they get the power of this ministry?
Who are transitional deacons? As stated above, transitional deacons are those who remain celibate for the Kingdom of God and who desire to become priests. Transitional deacons are usually ordained to the diaconate after they complete their third year at the theological seminary. Normally, it will take about 6 months to a year for a transitional deacon to become priest.
What do transitional deacons do? By being ordained deacons, they are called to be leaders, prophets, and teachers. They are invited to enter into a higher ministry other than the one they have had as lay-people. In other words, besides being called to practice the ways of justice as all the Baptized do, transitional deacons are called to the “Holy Orders.” It is called “Holy Orders” because transitional deacons can assist priests in the ministry, particularly to proclaim the Gospel, to give reflections, to perform the Sacrament of Baptism, preside at weddings, funerals, and many more. However, they are not allowed to consecrate the hosts at the Eucharistic celebration, to anoint the sick, or to hear confession until their ordination as priests. In addition, they are called to be people of prayer because how can they give what they do not have?
Where do transitional deacons get power of the ministry from? Truly speaking, transitional deacons are also people full of weaknesses and imperfections; however, with the gifts of the Holy Spirit (knowledge, fear of the Lord, piety, counsel, understanding, fortitude, and wisdom) which are called upon by the Bishop during the diaconate ordination, the transitional deacons have this power to practice in the ministry of the Church. The Rite of Ordination of a Deacon written in 1968 says that “Since that moment, transitional deacon will draw new strength from the Gift of the Holy Spirit. He will help the bishop and his body of priests as a minister of the word, of the altar, and of charity. He will make himself a servant of all.”
With the above explanation about transitional deacons and their ministry, hopefully you all will keep me in your prayer as I will receive the Holy Orders on November 03, 2007 at Saint Pius Church, 1100 Woodside Rd. Redwood City. California. 94061. Although I know the fact that I am not worthy to be called into this service, I still strongly believe that God has called and chosen me, so here I am to do God’s will. - Tinh Dang
Deacon Tinh Dang will be ordained to the priesthood on Saturday, May 24th, at 9:30 am in St. Joseph's Cathedral, San Jose. He will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving here at Resurrection Parish the following day, Sunday, May 25th at 10:00 am. That Mass will be followed by a pot-luck reception in Farana Center.
