Holy Orders

The Ordination of St Lawrence by Fra Angelico

If you feel you may have a calling to the Sacred Priesthood, Permanent Diaconate, or the Religious Life, speak to the Parish Priest in the first instance.

Alternatively, please contact the Diocesan Vocations Director. Details can be found here.

Read the latest copy of The Evangelist magazine

The Permanent Diaconate

On Saturday 7 May 2011 St. Raphael’s parishioner, Peter Sebastian, was among five men in the diocese of Southwark who were “admitted to candidacy” for study and formation for the Permanent Diaconate. In other words, they were admitted to the programme of study and preparation to become a deacon. What is a deacon? The term “deacon” means “servant” (from the Greek), assisting the bishop, the priest, his brothers and sisters and the Church as a whole.

As such, a deacon plays his part in the three-fold ancient ministry of the Church, to be a witness to our Lord Jesus Christ by:

(1) Proclaiming the Gospels, preaching and teaching – ministry of the Word;

(2) Assisting the priest at the altar in Liturgy (the Mass) – ministry of the Altar;

(3) Serving through acts of charity and administration his local parish and community, living the Social Teaching of the Church – ministry of Charity.

A deacon is ordained to Holy Orders and is a member of the Catholic clergy, but a deacon is not a priest. All priests are first ordained deacons before they are ordained priests, and all bishops are first ordained to the diaconate and then to the priesthood before they are ordained bishops. The Permanent Diaconate is for men at any stage in their life, whether married or single.

Archbishop Peter Smith presided at the ceromony, assisted by two deacons wearing the deacon’s traditional dalmatic

Admission to Candidacy for the Permanent Diaconate at Southwark Cathedral, Archbishop of Southwark Peter Smith presiding

Archbishop Peter Smith presided at the ceromony, assisted by two deacons wearing the deacon’s traditional dalmatic

Deacon Peter’s Ordination to the Sacred Priesthood

Deacon Peter was ordained to the Priesthood by His Grace Archbishop John Wilson on 25th July in St. Georges Cathedral.

Sadly, because of the current situation numbers were strictly limited and by invitation only. However, when things get back to normal we will invite Fr. Peter back to St. Raphael’s for a special Mass and a parish celebration.

In the meantime, you can enjoy the wonderful capture of this holy day by the Catholic Church of England and Wales at this gallery (click to view).

Here are Deacon Peter’s thoughts and feelings as he approached his ordination.

To act in the person of Christ in helping our brothers and sisters on their journey to God – this is an awesome responsibility. Fortunately, it is carried by the Holy Spirit – I am there to be God’s servant and the servant of his people. Year after year I have wanted to be an ever more fervent witness to the truth and love of our dear Lord Jesus, truly God and truly human. His truth and love are inseparable. That is so real to me. We are all called to be a witness to this truth and love, and this is how God is calling me.

I have served as a Permanent Deacon for the last five years. That has already been a wondrous privilege and blessing. I have been encouraged and nurtured by so many priests, deacons, parishioners and friends. In that calling I have benefitted from the love and support of my dear late wife, my children and their spouses, my grandchildren and my entire extended family. As I take this next step to priesthood, I leave nothing behind of my life to this point. All my experiences have been God given. My head and my heart are fully engaged in responding to God’s call. I feel bathed in God’s love and I feel Christ’s warm embrace. How can I do anything else but be his priest to serve his people?

“Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love”

(Wisdom 3:9)