On May 17th, three missionaries from the Catholic Shalom Community were ordained transitional deacons through the laying on of hands and the consecration prayer by Dom Gregório Paixão, OSB, Archbishop of Fortaleza (CE). This was the first sacrament of orders celebrated at the Church of the Risen Who ed Through the Cross.
Adson Zanuzo, Isaac Soares, and Rafael César were consecrated to the first degree of the sacrament of orders, publicly assuming the commitment to serve God and the Church in the diaconal ministry.
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During the homily, Dom Gregório reflected on John 13:31-33a, 34-35 and addressed words of exhortation to the new deacons, emphasizing the call to deep love for God, the Church, and the Shalom charism:
“Be men of prayer. To serve — and serve joyfully — intimacy with Love is necessary. To rise each day, with the grace of dawn, and begin again, it is only possible if we are recharged by the power of love.”
The archbishop also highlighted that the diaconal ministry, before being a burden, is a continuous service sustained by love:
“Do not forget something fundamental when exercising this service. Yes, it is a responsibility, but above all, it is a service born of love: love for God, love for brothers and sisters — that is the great commandment. Love for the holy Church, left by Our Lord Jesus Christ, and also love for the place where you have chosen to carry out God’s plan. The place you can never stop loving is where God has placed you: the Catholic Shalom Community.”
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At the end of the celebration, Moysés Azevedo, founder and general of the Shalom Community, thanked Dom Gregório for allowing this diaconal ordination to take place at the Church of the Risen:
“It is very beautiful to witness these ordinations here, as a confirmation of this vocation that the Community and the Church have. These deacons, later priests, will go out into the whole world serving the Church through the strength of the charism,” Moysés stated.
