Archdiocese of Cincinnati Deacon Ordination

Nine men, the largest group in nearly 40 years, were ordained transitional deacons April 28 at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Chains.

Bishop Joseph Binzer celebrated the Mass and ordained the men in an ancient ceremony that includes an oath of obedience; the presentation of the deacon’s vestments and a book of the Gospels to each man; a silent ritual called the laying-on (or imposition) of hands; and the prayer of ordination in which the bishop calls down the power and grace of the Holy Spirit.

 “The Psalmist said, ‘This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it,’” Bishop Binzer said as he began his homily. “And this day is a truly glad one.”

Citing the saying that good things happen in threes, Bishop Binzer said, “Maybe we can create a new saying that awesome things happen in three times threes.”

As deacons, their ministry will now include baptizing, assisting at weddings, and preaching at Mass. The men are receiving their formation for the priesthood at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary. In August, they will begin their last year of study in preparation for their ordination as priests, which is planned for May of 2019.

In his homily Bishop Binzer told the men that their new task was to speak the words of Christ, to do all for the greater honor and glory of God, and to remember to call upon the strength of Christ, rather than rely on their own strength. “Whatever we accomplish is because Jesus Christ works through us,” he said, reminding them to also call upon and imitate the Blessed Mother, patroness of the seminary.

 “If only all hearts could be like hers,” he said.

The nine new deacons are: Deacon Alex Biryomumeisho (home parish: St. John Neumann, Fairfield), Deacon Mark Bredestege (St. Joseph, North Bend), Deacon Zachary Cecil (St. Mary, Piqua), Deacon Christian Cone-Lombarte (Emmanuel, Dayton), Deacon Ambrose Dobrozsi (St. Gertrude, Madeira) Deacon Andrew Hess (Sacred Heart, St. Paris), Deacon Elias Mwesigye (St. John Neumann, Fairfield), Deacon Jeffrey Stegbauer (St. Susanna, Mason), Deacon Jedidiah Tritle (St. Raphael, Springfield).

Click the following link to see a photo gallery of the April 28 Ordination Mass http://www.mtsm.org/PhotoGalleries/PhotoGallery80.aspx

Text Credit: Gail Finke.
Photo Credit: E.L. Hubbard Photography.