Five candidates to the permanent diaconate were installed as lectors at Mass celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More in Arlington Feb. 8.

Linus J. Barloon II, Marvin J. Muhat, Robin W. Sardegna, Mark S. Sobczynski and Mark C. Voorheis achieved the latest milestone on their way to the diaconate. Wearing a liturgical vestment called the alb, a sign of their ongoing formation, they are charged with proclaiming the readings from Scripture, except the Gospel, and reciting the responsorial psalm. They can also announce the intentions in the prayer of the faithful if there is no deacon. 

“Dear candidates, if you are to proclaim Christ to the world, you must realize what Jesus teaches in the Gospel today: we are not to proclaim or speak on our own,” said Bishop Burbidge. “We are to proclaim the Word of the One who calls us and sends us forth in his name.

“You must be courageous for as you know the world often dismisses and rejects the Gospel. While always compassionate, you must never tire of proclaiming the Word of God in all of its beauty and without compromise,” he said.

The candidates can now lector at their parishes and exercise the ministry in a permanent way. They are on track to be ordained permanent deacons in 2023.