FROM DEACON SEBASTIAN
This is prodigious; it’s inexplicable; it’s mercy and pure love! By God’s grace, I was ordained as a Deacon a few weeks ago, which has undoubtedly been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I have been embracing the great Ignatian motto: “To be more in order to serve better.” And in a special way, I have had the opportunity to take a deeper step and position myself at another level by carrying out my first weeks of diaconal ministry at the Parish of St. Philip´s, which, with the help of Father Monteleone and Father Nico, and with all of you as parishioners, has become a blessing. I have served at the Eucharistic Altar, preached the Word, and celebrated the sacrament of Baptism, but above all, it has been an experience of being present, listening, and learning from your faith, from your devotion and particular motivations towards the Lord.
Thanks be to God, the Author of all good, who has revealed Himself in the everyday life of St. Philip´s, and thanks to all of you who have supported me, prayed for me, and have been generous with your time! In a few weeks, I will go to Portugal for World Youth Day with Pope Francis, and eventually, I will return to the Immaculate Conception Seminary at Seton Hall to continue my studies. I pray that this year will be filled with beautiful experiences so that I can take those final steps in my priestly formation with righteousness of intention and great dedication in service.
The phrase from the Ordination Ritual continues to resonate in my mind: “May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment.” Therefore, I entrust myself to your prayers so that God may always be the reason to walk and love in this service of particular dedication. All this keeping in mind the promise: “I am with you always, to the end of the age (Mt 28:20).”
Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!
Deacon Sebastián Munoz
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