Bishop Michael F. Burbidge ordained seven men to the transitional diaconate April 26 — James M. Harbour, Donghan S. Lee, Sean E. Mazary, Eric M. McDade, Alexander J. Solsma, Teko G. Teko-Agbo and Aaron F. Zanca.
The deacons are able to baptize, to preside over weddings, and to proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass. The newly ordained men are one step closer to being ordained to the priesthood. Three of the newly ordained, Harbour, Mazary and McDade, are members of Youth Apostles, a non-profit organization officially approved by the Catholic Church as a mixed Public Association of Christ’s Faithful.
The ordination was celebrated in the newly renovated Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington. The sanctuary was filled with pastel hydrangeas and white lilies for the Easter season, alongside a portrait of the late pontiff, Pope Francis. In his homily, Bishop Burbidge noted that the ordination was celebrated on the same day as Pope Francis’ funeral Mass in Vatican City. He encouraged the men from the very start of their ministry to embrace the example of Pope Francis’ humility, compassion and prayerfulness.
“Go out to meet people where they are, those who are suffering physically, spiritually, emotionally, the poor and the vulnerable, those who feel isolated and alone, for in all these ways you bring them the hope that is ours in the Lord,” he said.
After the homily, the men made promises to Bishop Burbidge of celibacy, obedience and fidelity to God and the church. The Litany of the Saints was sung as the men laid prostrate in the sanctuary. Then the bishop laid his hands on each of them and recited the prayer of ordination. The men were vested with a deacon’s stole and dalmatic, received the Books of the Gospels from the bishop and were given the fraternal kiss of peace, or warm greeting, from Bishop Burbidge and deacons present at the Mass.
Deacon Harbour said his ordination was an overwhelming, powerful experience.
“I really started to feel the Holy Spirit when I was down on the marble, when I was prostrate on the ground. And then when the bishop laid his hands on me, I really felt his love for me as a father — I saw God the Father working through him to me, his son,” he said. “Until the end of the prayer, I really felt a seal coming down upon me. I feel that the Lord’s chosen me and it’s really special.”
At the end of the Mass, the many priests and deacons processed out of the cathedral and greeted the newly ordained. Friends, family members and well-wishers gathered in Burke Hall to congratulate the deacons.
Ramón Pérez, a parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, came with his wife and two children to see Deacon Zanca. The two got to know each other when Deacon Zanca was serving at the parish, especially with the middle school youths.
“We started emailing each other and then when I found out that he speaks perfect Spanish, we started talking even more,” said Pérez. “He has a deep relationship with God and he’s a great example for other people like me and for youths like my son.”
Kelli Solsma, mother of Deacon Solsma, traveled from several states away to see her son’s ordination. Though they’re geographically far apart, Solsma has been touched by the way the Basilica of St. Mary — where her son used to work — has become a second home. “The basilica has just embraced him with open arms,” she said. “It was a great feeling knowing that even though he was far away from home, he was surrounded by love.”
Deacon Teko-Agbo’s ordination was an exciting day for his family, according to his brother, Messan Teko-Agbo. “The church is what he always wanted since we were younger so I think it’s a dream come true for him.”
Maraist is a freelancer from Reston.
This story has been updated.
