Six men are one step closer on their journey to the permanent
diaconate after the Institution of Lectors at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More
in Arlington Jan. 27. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge entrusted Edward O. Devlin,
Mark R. Jerge, Matthew K. Noah, Richard C. Vossler, Michael W. Watts and Aaron
L. Zaccagnino as bearers of Holy Scripture to the faithful in their parishes.
After the homily, each candidate went to Bishop Burbidge, who
presented the candidate with the Bible, saying.
“Take this book of Holy Scripture and be faithful in handing on
the Word of God, so that it may grow strong in the hearts of His people.”
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Burbidge and attended by more
than 30 deacons who came to support their brothers in formation.
“It was a beautiful Mass and I’m really appreciative of the
Bishop,” said candidate Matthew Noah, a parishioner of St. Theresa Church in
Ashburn. “I was also really touched my pastor came too, Father Guest.”
Noah and his fellow deacon candidates have now completed another
step during the second year of their five year formation. Moving forward, they
will be able to lector at their respective parishes as before, now wearing the
liturgical vestment known as an alb, a sign of their ongoing formation.