– Jasmin Yiu
Two Dominican brothers, Ignatius Ngo Van Thu Giang and Francis Nge Nge, received the diaconate from the hands of Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang, Bishop of Macau, at St Joseph’s Seminary last Thursday, 1st November, the Feast of All Saints.
In his homily, Bishop Lee firstly emphasized the important of sanctification, which is the mission and goal of every single person. He said the saints “are all transparent, they fought in their earthly life to remove the stains of the darkness of sin [and thus] reach the sanctity to which God has called us.”
The Gospel of the day was about the beatitudes. Bishop Lee described the beatitudes as the road map of Christian life which all ordinary people can easily follow and achieve. He said, “They (the beatitudes) are not for supermen and superwomen, but for those who live the trials and errors everyday, every moment.” He also described the feast as a family celebration of many simple and hidden people, who helped God to bring the world and the Church forward.
Finally, the Bishop encouraged the new deacons to follow this “roadmap” of beatitudes, to serve God, the Church and God’s people in the ministry, thought the gift of the Holy Spirit. He said, “as deacons you will serve Jesus Christ. Do the Will of God generously. Serve God and mankind in love and joy, look down upon all unchastity and adverse worships of false gods… You should be men with good reputation, filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit.” Bishop Lee also stressed the role of the order diaconate, which is to proclaim God’s words in action.
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