DOMUS GALILAEAE – On Sunday, December 10th, 2023, Four Seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater seminary of Korazin were ordained deacons by H.B. Card. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, during a celebration concelebrated by Mgr Rafic Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar for Israel, and Mgr Giacinto Boulos Marcuzzo, vicar emeritus, Fr. Juan Manuel, President of the Seminary, and several other priests. 

Ruben Rosiique, Kacper Jurczyk, Roman Savluk, and Giovanni Bovi, underwent the necessary preparation and now stand before the clergy of the church, and the faithful to vow to proclaim the Word of God and to lead God’s people in ministries of compassion and justice; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 

In his homily, H.B. Card. Pierbattista noted that “nothing is new in the gospel because it originally existed in the Old Testament. However, what is new is the appearance of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God. He provides us with a new perspective on the plan of redemption, and John the Baptist helps us to prepare for this new thing by preparing the eye and heart. The Baptist began his mission from the Jordan River, of Jerusalem, which is the focus of attention, and the most politically and economically complex place… This is a call to return to the roots, a call to Passover, a call to return, a call to change to be able to accept the call of Christ in our lives. John the Baptist calls us to break free from what holds us back and to strive towards fostering a relationship with God and with others.” 

And addressing the newly ordained deacons he said: “Freedom begins when the heart is set free from sin and its weakness, and only God can do that. The Church is called to free the hearts of believers from their burdens and to lead them to Christ, the Savior, Christ who saves and heals and is the heart of the Church and the heart of the Christian community. So, remember that the diaconal Rank is a call to service, the most important of which is the liberation of the human heart so it can return to its creator, God Almighty”.

The new deacons were congratulated after the ordination, announcing the start of their new vocation in the Latin Patriarchate’s clergy, and are soon to be ready to receive the blessing of the sacrament of the holy priesthood.

By: LPJ.org