After smiling for photos and receiving hugs from friends and family, Javier Aguilera finally caught his breath to describe what it meant to participate in a historic day in the diocese.
“This is the biggest day of my life,” said Aguilera, who was one of six Hispanic men to be received as candidates in a newly launched permanent diaconate program at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Feb. 1. “It is the best gift God has ever given me.”
While other Hispanic men already serve as permanent deacons in the diocese, the new curriculum was created specifically for Hispanics. To be recognized as candidates, the men studied for two years and now have four years of formation remaining.
“This is a unique program,” said Bishop Burbidge. “The formation and all the courses are done in Spanish and thank God we have such great priests in our diocese and lay people who are bilingual and serving as formators. Today is a historic event and a very beautiful sign to our Hispanic community.”
Spearheaded by Father Joel D. Jaffe, pastor of Christ the Redeemer Church in Sterling, the Hispanic diaconate program is a response to the steady growth of Spanish-speaking Catholics in the diocese. “I’ve been working with the Hispanic community my entire priesthood and really enjoy it,” said Father Jaffe, who learned Spanish while serving as parochial vicar of Blessed Sacrament Church in Alexandria. “To be able to help the bishop in creating and running this program, then helping all of these men to be inspired to serve as deacons is a joy.”
Father Jaffe delivered the homily in fluent Spanish, while Bishop Burbidge celebrated the Mass in Spanish. “Bishop Burbidge is reading the signs of the times,” said Joel de Loera, director of the office of Hispanic ministry. “He is very much interested in assuring that these men are well formed to meet the growing needs in our community. This shows how the Lord is guiding and leading his people in a special way.”
More than 1,000 worshippers filled the cathedral for the special occasion. Each aspirant came forward to affirm to the bishop that they would complete their preparation and faithfully serve the church.
“Today is much like the day I married my wife 39 years ago,” said candidate Marco Orozco. “I mark in my heart today to lay down my life for the church.”
Miguel Correa said he became emotional when Bishop Burbidge gave all the candidates a blessing in the sacristy before the Mass. “Tears came down my eyes when his excellency gave us the blessing,” said Correa. “It was an unbelievable moment for the Lord to look at me, an undeserving person, and call me to this ministry. I’m thankful that he accepted my yes.”
“The Lord called us to serve him so here we are,” said candidate Roberto Silva. “We are not much. We don’t have money. We don’t have talent. We just have to serve our community, and we know that our community is in need.”
A joyful, song-filled celebration ensued after Mass in Burke Hall where the sense was strong that something special had just happened. “I guess we are making history,” said Silva. “But it’s all because the Lord decided to make it happen. So praise be Jesus Christ, now and forever.”
