Homily
Oath of Fidelity
’Lasting praise, which is the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name.’
The first to acknowledge the name which is above every other name was Joseph, who at the behest of an angel named him Jesus. Then there were magi and shepherds and soon the Apostles and other disciples to whom he would entrust the Holy Gospel.
And after his Paschal death and rising, as the Rite of ordination reminds us, this traditio of belief and worship of the Holy Name was passed on through the laying on of hands.
So here we are tonight, as eleven of our brothers profess what has been handed on to us from the Apostles and promise to proclaim the name of Jesus with fidelity and power.
And so it will continue, until the Lord returns in glory to lead us home, that good men like Joseph and Daniel, Kevin, Josh, David, Michael, Matt, Stephen, Son, Juan and Tung will offer lasting praise, the fruit of lips which tonight acknowledge his name.
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| The "Chevrus Bible" on which the Oath of Fidelity was taken. |
Oath of Fidelity
I, in assuming the office of Deacon, promise that in my words and in my actions I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church.
With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the duties incumbent on me toward the Church, both universal and particular, in which, according to the provisions of the law, I have been called to exercise my service.
In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it.
I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.
With Christian obedience I shall follow what the Bishops, as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith, declare, or what they, as those who govern the Church, establish. I shall also faithfully assist the diocesan Bishops, so that the apostolic activity, exercised in the name and by mandate of the Church, may be carried out in communion with the Church.
So help me God, and God’s Holy Gospels on which I place my hand.
